Note: those who came to this page looking for information about "brothers on the down-low" can click here.
No, this is not the "roots rock" band out of Chicago, but an old song by the same title. Bert Williams recorded this song for Columbia, and made a hit with it, but this is
the composer's own rendition - Al Bernard, with Larry Briers (better known as Mamie Smith's piano player), wrote this semi-legendary
account of a streetcorner preacher in his home town of New Orleans in 1921. He recorded it for both Brunswick and Regal late that same year - this is the Brunswick version. Al's mini-sermon near the end (where he admonishes "marruh-wannuh smokers and snuff-sniffers")
is a highlight of the performance. Carl Fenton's orchestra provides the very tasty backup. The disc was played with fiber needles, which are supposed to be better than steel needles but unfortunately they leave resin deposits in the grooves which can never be removed
- it is noisy as a result. Noise reduction has tamed it into the background, so it is enjoyable once again.
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