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John Hammond — Jockey Full of Bourbon
Album: Wicked Grin
Avg rating:
6.8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1650









Released: 2001
Length: 3:30
Plays (last 30 days): 1
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Edna Million in a drop dead suit
Dutch Pink on a downtown train
Two-dollar pistol but the gun won't shoot
I'm in the corner on the pouring rain
Sixteen men on a dead man's chest
And I've been drinking from a broken cup
Two pairs of pants and a mohair vest
I'm full of bourbon, I can't stand up

Hey little bird, fly away home
Your house is on fire, children are alone
Hey little bird, fly away home
Your house is on fire, your children are alone

Schiffer broke a bottle on Morgan's head
And I'm stepping on the devil's tail
Across the stripes of a full moon's head
And through the bars of a Cuban jail
Bloody fingers on a purple knife
Flamingo drinking from a cocktail glass
I'm on the lawn with someone else's wife
Admire the view from up on top of the mast

Hey little bird, fly away home
House is on fire, children are alone
Hey little bird, fly away home
House is on fire, your children are alone

I said hey little bird, fly away home
Your house is on fire, your children are alone
Hey little bird, fly away home
House is on fire, your children are alone

Yellow sheets on a Hong Kong bed
Stazybo horn and a Slingerland ride
"To the carnival" is what she said
A hundred dollars makes it dark inside
Edna Million in a drop dead suit
Dutch Pink on a downtown train
Two-dollar pistol but the gun won't shoot
I'm in the corner on the pouring rain

Hey little bird, fly away home
Your house is on fire, your children are alone
Hey little bird, fly away home
Your house is on fire, your children are alone
Comments (99)add comment
 nutrod42 wrote:

And again in 2023.


2024 says hi! Don't mind this repetition at all :)
Posted 9 months ago by Jorizzz    [ Reply ]
Does Waits justice! Actually makes a TW tune more digestible.
Posted 11 months ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
Quite good. He doesn't try to imitate Waits 
Posted 1 year ago by grandemarch    [ Reply ]
 eyke wrote:

from Norah Jones covering The Long Way Home to John Hammond covering Jockey Full of Bourbon...thanks for the back to back Tom Waits.


And again in 2023.
Posted 1 year ago by nutrod42    [ Reply ]
ohhhh

I thought this was Charlie Musselwhite
Posted 1 year ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
 slugore wrote:

Imagining my Jockeys full of bourbon...



Happened to me...
Posted 1 year ago by ElCamoteLoco    [ Reply ]
weak remake. why?
Posted 1 year ago by jjbix37    [ Reply ]
 It is  OK, but compared to the TW original, about as satisfying as low-alcohol beer.
Posted 1 year ago by SgtBeefheart    [ Reply ]
Imagining my Jockeys full of bourbon...
Posted 1 year ago by slugore    [ Reply ]


Two Tom Waits covers back to back. I'm hoping he plays Tom Waits next.

Posted 2 years ago by smartn1    [ Reply ]
Happily enjoying the Los Lobos vibes.  The only thing that could top it is...playing Los Lobos right after!
Posted 2 years ago by pcicatar    [ Reply ]
Clearly this was recorded following the debacle at Jurassic Park that 
went down....
Posted 3 years ago by sfoster66    [ Reply ]
That accordion is sooo cool! Love it. 
Posted 3 years ago by Lemmes    [ Reply ]
 Proclivities wrote:

There are over 100 covers of Tom Waits' songs recorded by artists diverse as Robert Plant, Bruce Springsteen, Johnny Cash, Neko Case, Joe Bonamassa, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, Rod Stewart, Queens of the Stone Age, The Eagles, Patti Griffin, Willie Nelson, and many others.  Generally I prefer Tom's originals to the covers but I guess those artists didn't get that memo.  This particular cover is a little too "clean" for me though.
 
I would have liked to hear Leonard Cohen cover this one. That for sure would not have been "clean"
Posted 3 years ago by NeuroJoe    [ Reply ]
My second rating of 1 on RP is this piece. No depht, totally "clean".
Posted 3 years ago by malouna    [ Reply ]
from Norah Jones covering The Long Way Home to John Hammond covering Jockey Full of Bourbon...thanks for the back to back Tom Waits.
Posted 4 years ago by eyke    [ Reply ]
 kbs wrote:

Ditto moi - I tend to go for musicality rather than performance and emotion (if that is what it is). 
 
Tom Waits is in the Bob Dylan mold of musician. Immensely talented, hugely influential, and a pain in the rear to actually listen to. 

As far as this goes, it's the epitome of a "6 - Pretty Good."
Posted 4 years ago by acolt    [ Reply ]
 rhlrstn wrote:

And here I was thinking I'd probably enjoy TW's music more performed by anyone BUT TW..
 
Ditto moi - I tend to go for musicality rather than performance and emotion (if that is what it is). 
Posted 4 years ago by kbs    [ Reply ]
 jbunniii wrote:
Some artists' music simply should not be covered by others.  Tom Waits falls in that category.
 
There are over 100 covers of Tom Waits' songs recorded by artists diverse as Robert Plant, Bruce Springsteen, Johnny Cash, Neko Case, Joe Bonamassa, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, Rod Stewart, Queens of the Stone Age, The Eagles, Patti Griffin, Willie Nelson, and many others.  Generally I prefer Tom's originals to the covers but I guess those artists didn't get that memo.  This particular cover is a little too "clean" for me though.
Posted 5 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
 jbunniii wrote:
Some artists' music simply should not be covered by others.  Tom Waits falls in that category.
 
And here I was thinking I'd probably enjoy TW's music more performed by anyone BUT TW..
Posted 5 years ago by rhlrstn    [ Reply ]
This is a very bad cover :-( 
Posted 5 years ago by adib    [ Reply ]
Joe Bonamassa does a very nice acoustic version of this that is very nice. This one is OK but I prefer Tom's and Joe's much more.
Posted 5 years ago by ScottD    [ Reply ]
I'm liking the skip ahead button.
Posted 6 years ago by nomnol    [ Reply ]
This reminds me of when Pat Boone covered Little Richard.
Posted 6 years ago by Laptopdog    [ Reply ]
Is this what John Hammond is singing about...


Drunk jockey full of bourbon 
Posted 6 years ago by Stephen_Phillips    [ Reply ]
I see what you did there.
Posted 6 years ago by sjolliff    [ Reply ]
The original version was kinda "something new". Seems John Hammond felt an urge to "correct" that.

(Still a 3 for me as he could have made it even worse.)
Posted 6 years ago by sb204    [ Reply ]
Interesting to have this follow the Blue Hawaiians since the Blue Hawaiians' cover of this song is much better.
Posted 9 years ago by SmackDaddy    [ Reply ]
"down by law" from jim jarmusch!
poor little rabbit...

love it!
 Lazarus wrote:

Isn't this from the movie with Tom Waits where the DJ goes to prison?
 

 


Posted 9 years ago by patrick30    [ Reply ]


                                     {#Fire}
Posted 9 years ago by mrtuba9    [ Reply ]
 ottojschlosser wrote:
The main reason I like these Tom Waits covers is that I get to hear all the lyrics for once.

 

Word.  {#Laughing}
Posted 9 years ago by Clarentine    [ Reply ]
As usual the comments are all over the map. I for one think this version is fun, as is the whole album.
Posted 9 years ago by Sunman    [ Reply ]
 Stingray wrote:
How to describe this kind of music...?

Whatever it is - it is CERTAINLY not for me! 

 
And for you, my ever so discerning friend, the PSD was created. Use it.
Posted 9 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
How to describe this kind of music...?

Whatever it is - it is CERTAINLY not for me! 
Posted 10 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
 jagdriver wrote:

Methinks the best rendition is by the Blue Hawaiians.

  this and the BH version are white-bread yuppie trash. how does any musician deprive a song, so completely, of its soul and still feel compelled to record it? it's mind boggling 
Posted 10 years ago by midreaming    [ Reply ]
 Proclivities wrote:

This version "compares" to the original, just not very favorably, in my opinion.  This seems a little too antiseptic to me, especially for John Hammond.

 
But he's got a good organ.
Posted 10 years ago by NoEnzLefttoSplit    [ Reply ]
The main reason I like these Tom Waits covers is that I get to hear all the lyrics for once.
Posted 11 years ago by ottojschlosser    [ Reply ]
 Nix wrote:
Doesn't compare to Tom Waits. Sorry.
Agreed.  I know Hammond is the real deal...most of the time.  This rendition is for deep archive.
Posted 11 years ago by ScottN    [ Reply ]
Doesn't compare to Tom Waits. Sorry.
Posted 11 years ago by Nix    [ Reply ]
forgot about this album... like it muchly. always dug john hammond's voice... a sexy dude. 

 
Posted 11 years ago by RabbitEars    [ Reply ]
Very cool album indeed.
Posted 11 years ago by michaelc    [ Reply ]

Isn't this from the movie with Tom Waits where the DJ goes to prison?
 
Posted 11 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
How
 polished. Not to my taste — I'll take the raspy, rough-edged original any day.
Posted 11 years ago by lexica    [ Reply ]
 jagdriver wrote:

Methinks the best rendition is by the Blue Hawaiians.
 
{#Iamwithstupid}


Posted 12 years ago by jagdriver    [ Reply ]
 dewinter wrote:
Not a good cover.  Please just play the original of this song!  That would be awesome!
 
absolute agreement
Posted 12 years ago by bushrat    [ Reply ]


Further proof that bourbon and horse riding do not mix... 

Posted 12 years ago by Byronape    [ Reply ]
 secretsauce wrote:


But I don't think that Waits' tunes should be avoided as cover songs as a rule.

 
Most of the other tracks on this album work.

This one, however, is just... toothless.
Posted 12 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
 dewinter wrote:
Not a good cover.  Please just play the original of this song!  That would be awesome!
 
totally agree!
Posted 12 years ago by whomhow    [ Reply ]
 jbunniii wrote:
Some artists' music simply should not be covered by others.  Tom Waits falls in that category.
 
Disagree completely!   That displays a very low opinion of Waits-the-songwriter to imply that his songs can only be carried by Waits-the-performer.  It is a credit to a song when it stands on its own merits independent of a specific performance or performer.  And Waits' songs are often spectacular bits of songwriting (as in this case).

I don't necessarily think this version succeeds (although I love the accordion).  I don't think Hammond is trying to add too much to the delivery of the lyrics that they just don't need.

But I don't think that Waits' tunes should be avoided as cover songs as a rule.

Posted 12 years ago by secretsauce    [ Reply ]
Ladybug, ladybug, fly away...your home is on fire, but your children are saved!!
,
Posted 13 years ago by rjewyo    [ Reply ]
Not a good cover.  Please just play the original of this song!  That would be awesome!
Posted 13 years ago by dewinter    [ Reply ]
 jbunniii wrote:
Some artists' music simply should not be covered by others.  Tom Waits falls in that category.
 
Well, Waits produced this, so he must've been OK with the cover version, don't you think?

Posted 13 years ago by nate917    [ Reply ]
 jbunniii wrote:
Some artists' music simply should not be covered by others.  Tom Waits falls in that category.
 
I completely disagree. Waits' songs are complex enough to lend themselves to many different interpretations, and his voice is, to put it mildly, an acquired taste. If you put a song into the public domain, then it can be performed by anyone as long as they cough up the rights fee. In this case, yer man Hammond has deliberately avoided the down 'n dirty sleaze of Waits which I think detracts from the original, but it's a good interpretation worthy of at least a 7 from the Nottingham jury.

On a more general level, there is no music that shouldn't be 'covered'. Bear in mind that the whole of the classical music oeuvre is effectively cover versions of composer's works.

Posted 13 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
 jbunniii wrote:
Some artists' music simply should not be covered by others.  Tom Waits falls in that category.
 
It's unbelievable how many Tom Waits songs have been covered.
However, I can't think of any songs that Tom Waits covers, but I guess if your that prolific..........

Posted 14 years ago by Stranglersfan    [ Reply ]
 jbunniii wrote:
Some artists' music simply should not be covered by others.  Tom Waits falls in that category.
 
I disagree. Actually, Holly Cole did a nice job.

https://www.radioparadise.com/content.php?name=songinfo&song_id=34808

Posted 14 years ago by von_Hayek    [ Reply ]
Some artists' music simply should not be covered by others.  Tom Waits falls in that category.
Posted 14 years ago by jbunniii    [ Reply ]
Marginal at best. Feh. This had better be followed up by some real Tom Waits.
Posted 14 years ago by isayhoomhom    [ Reply ]
 von_Hayek wrote:
I rather stick to the original. {#Arrowd}
 
2nd!
Posted 14 years ago by Albert1967    [ Reply ]
I rather stick to the original. {#Arrowd}
Posted 15 years ago by von_Hayek    [ Reply ]
I must throw in with those who vote the Blue Hawaiians' version as best. They are the cooooolest band in the world!

Posted 15 years ago by Lostfreight    [ Reply ]
 jagdriver wrote:

Methinks the best rendition is by the Blue Hawaiians.
 

Bravo! Like Bryan Ferry does with covers, they made it their own.
Posted 15 years ago by SmackDaddy    [ Reply ]
 BigTimber wrote:
When do we get to hear Britney Spears' version of "Singapore"?
 

Oh, if only.... I think more people should cover  Waits' songs. 

 
Posted 15 years ago by Taraincognito    [ Reply ]
 dedawson wrote:
If you want to hear this song done right, check the Moxy Fruvous' version.
 

No, if you want to hear this song done right, go back to the original: Tom Waits!  His voice: {#Cowboy}{#Drunk}{#Guitarist}
Posted 15 years ago by gobits    [ Reply ]
dedawson wrote:
If you want to hear this song done right, check the Moxy Fruvous' version.

i do like that version, but i don't mind this version ...

Posted 15 years ago by Gartholamundi    [ Reply ]
Um, okay...why not just pull Tom's teeth and be done with it?  {#No}
Posted 15 years ago by pinklife    [ Reply ]
Give me the Tom Waits version anyday.  You want someone that sounds like he has at some point experienced, and may even be experiencing while singing the song, the titular drink.
Posted 15 years ago by vivakitty    [ Reply ]
I like the song name.  That is about it.
Posted 15 years ago by dancingfox    [ Reply ]
 dedawson wrote:
If you want to hear this song done right, check the Moxy Fruvous' version.
 
Methinks the best rendition is by the Blue Hawaiians.
Posted 15 years ago by jagdriver    [ Reply ]
I don't mind the polka business, but the lyrics and voice sucked.
Posted 16 years ago by JohnBauer    [ Reply ]
If you want to hear this song done right, check the Moxy Fruvous' version.
Posted 16 years ago by dedawson    [ Reply ]
DoctorHooey wrote:
Bwahahahaha I hear Justin Timberlake does a killer version of "Strange Weather"
How about Beyonce doing 'Step Right Up'? I'd pay good money to hear that. "It gives you an erection, it wins the election".
Posted 17 years ago by Pazzat    [ Reply ]
Thought it was Los Lobos for a second there...
Posted 17 years ago by Dylan76    [ Reply ]
ranwulf wrote:
Tom Waits is outstanding, but it's always amazing to hear people covering him: different interpretations turn the songs into something else entirely. Holly Cole does an entire album of Tom's music on "Temptation," and does a fantastic job. This is a good version, but I gotta say I prefer Tom.
Waits version blows this away. Hammond's is a relaxed, breezy, languid interpretation which is at odds with the desperate nature of the lyrics.
Posted 17 years ago by rocco1207    [ Reply ]
BigTimber wrote:
When do we get to hear Britney Spears' version of "Singapore"?
Posted 17 years ago by Professor_C    [ Reply ]
BigTimber wrote:
When do we get to hear Britney Spears' version of "Singapore"?
Bwahahahaha I hear Justin Timberlake does a killer version of "Strange Weather"
Posted 17 years ago by DoctorHooey    [ Reply ]
Tom Waits is outstanding, but it's always amazing to hear people covering him: different interpretations turn the songs into something else entirely. Holly Cole does an entire album of Tom's music on "Temptation," and does a fantastic job. This is a good version, but I gotta say I prefer Tom.
Posted 17 years ago by ranwulf    [ Reply ]
thatch wrote:
Is it just me or does he sing slightly flat?
Must be just you... But no worse than Tom Waits sounds when you hear him...
Posted 17 years ago by fretman    [ Reply ]
When do we get to hear Britney Spears' version of "Singapore"?
Posted 17 years ago by BigTimber    [ Reply ]
Is it just me or does he sing slightly flat?
Posted 17 years ago by thatch    [ Reply ]
You all should hear the Blue Hawaiians' version. It's seriously good.
Posted 17 years ago by SmackDaddy    [ Reply ]
I think the Blue Hawaiians beat this version by a L-O-N-G shot!
Posted 17 years ago by jagdriver    [ Reply ]
Posted 17 years ago by bjl000    [ Reply ]
Dianyla wrote:
How many possible versions of this song are there?
3,954,468--tho' I'm not sure if two Mitch Miller versions should count as 1 or 2.
Posted 18 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
the_jake wrote:
Moxy or Tom's version are better.
I prefer Moxy's version... but it's pretty cool that you could hear all 3 on RP.
Posted 18 years ago by UltraNurd    [ Reply ]
JrzyTmata wrote:
MF's version rocks!! I think I will upload the Tom Wait's original when I get home.
Moxy or Tom's version are better.
Posted 18 years ago by the_jake    [ Reply ]
Patrick wrote:
Gimme da concertina!
Yeah....
Posted 19 years ago by birdland    [ Reply ]
"Wicked Grin" is an excellent album. Some tracks we HAVE to hear off of it are "2:19", "16 Shells from a 30oz Six" and "I Know I've Been Changed"
Posted 19 years ago by truk77    [ Reply ]
This is a great song but i'm gonna have to agree with the notion that the Moxy Fruvous version was awesome, i like how they gave it more energy. give us MOXY!! still this version has its merits
Posted 19 years ago by fortyonejb    [ Reply ]
Two tunes off this album in one day! OK by me!
Posted 19 years ago by ArbiterOfGoodTaste    [ Reply ]
How many possible versions of this song are there?
Posted 19 years ago by Dianyla    [ Reply ]
Gregorama wrote:
I love this song & so I uploaded it. It's a Tom Waits song, as are all on Wicked Grin. That's the great Flaco Jimenez on the accordian. Hope y'all like it. Quite a divergence from most of Hammond's excellent Delta Blues.
MORE WAITS' COVERS AND MORE WAITS!!!! PLEASE!!!!!!
Posted 19 years ago by niceguy    [ Reply ]
hmmm... not bad, but i'll always prefer A Ass Pocket of Whiskey...
Posted 20 years ago by Platypus    [ Reply ]
Gimme da concertina!
Posted 20 years ago by Patrick    [ Reply ]
JrzyTmata wrote:
MF's version rocks!! I think I will upload the Tom Wait's original when I get home.
I was about to do the same (but probably I've reached my RP upload limit ), that one can't be beaten.
Posted 20 years ago by Johray63    [ Reply ]
Bring in Moxy!!!<
Posted 20 years ago by zjango    [ Reply ]
jayladdin wrote:
A cool cover. Nice to hear it! I'm still partial to Moxy Fruvous's live version, though. :)
MF's version rocks!! I think I will upload the Tom Wait's original when I get home.
Posted 20 years ago by JrzyTmata    [ Reply ]
A cool cover. Nice to hear it! I'm still partial to Moxy Fruvous's live version, though. :)
Posted 20 years ago by jayladdin    [ Reply ]
I love this song & so I uploaded it. It's a Tom Waits song, as are all on Wicked Grin. That's the great Flaco Jimenez on the accordian. Hope y'all like it. Quite a divergence from most of Hammond's excellent Delta Blues.
Posted 20 years ago by Gregorama    [ Reply ]