Yellow Dog Blues by W. C. Handy

W. C. Handy published The Yellow Dog Rag in 1914, a blues song with the subtitle “He’s Gone Where the Southern Cross’ the Yellow Dog” (referencing two railroad lines that crossed in Mississippi). The song was often given the alternative title Yellow Dog Blues. George Hamilton Green and his long-time associate, pianist Frank Banta, recorded the piece in 1926 for the Vocalion label (#15307).

This transcription arrangement bases the marimba part on Banta’s piano performance while keeping the xylophone part almost exactly as played on the recording. George Green had a unique concept for playing blues on the xylophone that was entirely special to him (and not used by Brown, Herman, Breuer, or anybody else). See his book Instruction Course for Xylophone” in particular Lesson 30, where he writes: “In order to get a real BLUE effect, strike the grace note and the legitimate note together. This will give a sort of SMEAR effect that is decidedly BLUE.” Practice this lesson until you get used to it. It will give you the correct feeling for xylophone blues.