James John (Jimmy) Witherspoon, also known by the nickname “Spoon”, was a versatile "blues shouter" who achieved commercial success and critical acclaim in the genres of blues, jazz, and rhythm and blues. His 1947 recording “Ain’t Nobody’s Business” was a hit in 1949 and became his signature song.
His date of birth is usually given as August 8, 1923, but some sources give the birth year as 1920, and more than one source gives the birth date as August 18, 1921, attributing the information to his son. Since he may have run away from home to Los Angeles, California, as early as 1935, the earlier dates seem more plausible. In a 1996 interview, he gave his age as seventy-four, which also corresponds with the 1921 date.
Jimmy Witherspoon was born in Gurdon (Clark County) Arkansas to Leonard Witherspoon, a Missouri Pacific Railroad brakeman, and Eva Tatum Witherspoon, a church pianist. The family was devoutly religious. His parents were members of the choir at their Baptist church.
He didn't pursue music professionally until after his stint in the Merchant Marines in World War II. On his return to the Unites States in 1944, he replaced Walter Brown in Jay McShann's band, and performed with Big Joe Turner and T-Bone Walker.
Witherpoon's first hit record was "Ain't Nobody's Business", which he followed in 1949 with a reworking of the Leroy Carr song "In the Evening When the Sun Goes Down". His hit "Ain't Nobody's Business" was one of the biggest records of the era, and stayed on the Billboard charts for 34 weeks. Spoon made at least 200 recordings, and was one of the few true giants of the post-war blues boom.
Witherspoon recorded for a variety of labels through the 1950s, including cornerstone sides with Swingtime, Federal, Chess, RCA, and even a Dixieland session with The Wilbur de Paris New Orleans Jazz Band for Atlantic in 1956. His long career included performances on jazz stages around the world, from Carnegie Hall to the Newport Jazz Festival, touring Japan with Count Basie, and European tours with Buck Clayton's All Stars. Witherspoon managed to span the worlds of blues, R&B, and jazz with his deep baritone voice and unique style.
Witherspoon died September 18, 1997 in Los Angeles, California.
Spoon first attracted attention singing with Teddy Weatherford's band in Calcutta, India, which made regular radio broadcasts over the U. S. Armed Forces Radio Service during World War II. Witherspoon made his first records with Jay McShann's band in 1945. In 1949, recording under his own name with the McShann band, he had his first hit, "Ain't Nobody's Business,"[2] a song which came to be regarded as his signature tune. In 1950 he had hits with two more songs closely identified with him: "No Rollin' Blues", "Big Fine Girl", as well as "Failing By Degrees" and "New Orleans Woman" recorded with the Gene Gilbeaux Orchestra which included Herman Washington and Don Hill on the Modern Records label. These were recorded from a live performance on May 10, 1949 at a "Just Jazz" concert Pasadena, CA sponsored by Gene Norman. Another classic Witherspoon composition is "Times Gettin' Tougher Than Tough".
Witherspoon's style of blues - that of the "blues shouter" - became unfashionable in the mid-1950s, but he returned to popularity with his 1959 album, Jimmy Witherspoon at the Monterey Jazz Festival, which featured Roy Eldridge, Woody Herman, Ben Webster, Coleman Hawkins, Earl Hines and Mel Lewis, among others. He later recorded with Gerry Mulligan, Leroy Vinnegar, Richard "Groove" Holmes and T-Bone Walker.
Tours and successes
In 1961 he toured Europe with Buck Clayton and returned to the UK on many occasions, featuring on a mid-sixties live UK recording Spoon Sings and Swings (1966) with tenor sax player Dick Morrissey's quartet. In 1970, he appeared on Brother Jack McDuff's London Blue Note recording To Seek a New Home together with British jazz musicians, including Dick Morrissey, again, and Terry Smith. In the 1970s he also recorded the album Guilty! (later released on CD as Black & White Blues) with Eric Burdon and featuring Ike White & the San Quentin Prison Band. He then toured with a band of his own featuring Robben Ford and Russ Ferrante. A recording from this period, Spoonful, featured 'Spoon accompanied by Robben Ford, Joe Sample, Cornell Dupree, Thad Jones and Bernard Purdie. He continued performing and recording into the 1990s.
Other performers with whom Witherspoon recorded include Jimmy Rowles, Earl "Fatha" Hines, Vernon Alley, Mel Lewis, Teddy Edwards, Gerald Wiggins, John Clayton, Paul Humphrey, Pepper Adams, Kenny Burrell, Harry "Sweets" Edison, Jimmy Smith, Long John Baldry, Junior Mance, Ellington bassist Jimmy Woode, Kenny Clarke, Gerry Mulligan, Jim Mullen, Count Basie, Van Morrison, Dutch Swing College Band, Gene Gilbeaux and others.
Acting
In the 1995 film Georgia, Witherspoon portrayed a traveling, gun-collecting blues singer, Trucker, who has a relationship with the troubled character Sadie, played by Jennifer Jason Leigh.
His Eye Is On The Sparrow
Jimmy Witherspoon Lyrics
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Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home,
When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
I sing because I'm happy,
I sing because I'm free,
And I know He watches me.
"Let not your heart be troubled," His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
I sing because I'm happy,
I sing because I'm free,
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.
Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
I sing because I'm happy,
I sing because I'm free,
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.
Jimmy Witherspoon's song "His Eye Is On The Sparrow" is a hymn that speaks about how people should not feel discouraged because Jesus always watches over them. The song begins by asking why anyone should feel discouraged or lonely when Jesus is always by their side. The lyrics explain that Jesus is a constant friend and that he watches over everyone, just as he watches over the sparrow. The tone of the song is comforting, assuring people that they are never alone and that they will always be watched over by Jesus. The song is a great reminder for people to put their trust in Jesus and to remain positive, even during times of trouble.
The second verse of the song speaks about Jesus' tender words, encouraging people not to let their hearts be troubled. By resting in Jesus' goodness and trusting in His guidance, the lyrics state that people can overcome their doubts and fears. Although people may only be able to see one step at a time, the song asserts that Jesus always watches over them, just as He does with the sparrow. The song concludes by saying that whenever people are tempted or feel hopeless, they can draw closer to Jesus who will set them free from their cares.
Line by Line Meaning
Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,
Why should I allow fear and uncertainty to overcome me? Why should I let darkness cloud my vision?
Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home,
Why should I feel isolated and yearn for a place of eternal peace?
When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He:
Considering that Jesus is always with me and provides for me, as a dear companion would do,
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
He is particularly attentive to even the smallest creature, and as such, I know that He cares for me too.
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
He pays close attention to the sparrow, and as a result, I am reassured that He is likewise attentive to me.
I sing because I'm happy,
I express joy through singing
I sing because I'm free,
I sing because I feel liberated by my faith
For His eye is on the sparrow,
I am filled with contentment because He shows deep concern for even the smallest creature,
And I know He watches me.
I have overwhelming confidence that He is always looking out for my well-being, too.
Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,
Whichever time I face temptation and am met with turbulence in my life
When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,
When joyful songs no longer resonate with me, and my faith falters,
I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;
I look towards Him for support, and He releases me from all my worrisome thoughts.
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
Just as He pays attention to the sparrow, I know that He is closely monitoring every aspect of my life as well
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
I am comforted by the thought that He cares for even the most insignificant creatures, so therefore, He will always care for me.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: HARVEY FUQUA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind