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.
I'm Beginning To See The Light
Jimmy Witherspoon Lyrics
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I never wink back at fireflies
But now that the stars are in your eyes
I'm beginning to see the light
I never went in for afterglow
Or candlelight on the mistletoe
But now when you turn the lamp down low
Used to ramble through the park
Shadowboxing in the dark
Then you came and caused a spark
That's a four-alarm fire now
I never made love by lantern-shine
I never saw rainbows in my wine
But now that your lips are burning mine
I'm beginning to see the light
In Jimmy Witherspoon's song "I'm Beginning To See The Light," the lyrics express a profound transformation and newfound appreciation for romance and love. The singer begins by reflecting that they were never particularly interested in moonlit skies or the beauty of fireflies, but with the presence of their beloved, they start to see the world in a different light. The stars in their partner's eyes serve as a metaphor for the enchantment and beauty they now perceive. It signifies that love has illuminated their perspective and opened their eyes to the wonders of the universe.
Continuing with the theme of transformation, the lyrics mention that the singer never had a fondness for afterglow or the romantic ambiance of candlelight under the mistletoe. However, now that they are with their significant other, even the simple act of dimming the lamp takes on a new meaning. This implies that their connection has deepened their appreciation for the small gestures and romantic moments they previously overlooked. It also suggests that love has kindled a sense of longing and desire within them.
The lyrics then describe the impact their partner has had on their life and emotions. The singer used to wander aimlessly through the park, engaging in shadowboxing as a metaphor for a solitary existence in the dark. However, the entrance of their beloved brought about a transformative spark, igniting a fire within them that is akin to a four-alarm fire. This imagery emphasizes the profound impact their partner's presence has had, as it consumes and engulfs them with passion and intensity.
Finally, the lyrics describe a shift in the singer's perception of love and romance. They admit to never experiencing the tenderness and intimacy of making love with the glow of a lantern or witnessing the beauty of rainbows in their wine. However, now that their lips have connected with their partner's, it's as if a whole new world has opened up to them. This line embodies the idea that love has allowed the singer to truly see and feel the beauty of life and experience the joy and passion of shared affection.
Overall, "I'm Beginning To See The Light" by Jimmy Witherspoon highlights a deep and transformative love that has enlightened the singer's perspective. It speaks to the power of love to change one's outlook on life, to appreciate the beauty in the ordinary, and to ignite a fire within the soul.
Line by Line Meaning
I never cared much for moonlit skies
I never had a strong affection for nights illuminated by the moon
I never wink back at fireflies
I never reciprocate the signals of tiny flying insects that produce light
But now that the stars are in your eyes
However, now that I see the sparkling stars reflected in your eyes
I'm beginning to see the light
I'm starting to understand and perceive the truth or reality
I never went in for afterglow
I never had an interest in the pleasant light that remains after the sun has set
Or candlelight on the mistletoe
Nor did I appreciate the warm glow provided by candles hanging above the mistletoe
But now when you turn the lamp down low
But now, when you dim the lamp's brightness
I'm beginning to see the light
I'm starting to understand and perceive the truth or reality
Used to ramble through the park
In the past, I used to aimlessly wander around the park
Shadowboxing in the dark
Engaging in combat-like movements, throwing punches at imaginary opponents, while shrouded in darkness
Then you came and caused a spark
However, when you arrived, you ignited a sudden burst of enthusiasm or passion within me
That's a four-alarm fire now
That intense feeling has grown into an overwhelming and urgent situation
I never made love by lantern-shine
I never engaged in intimate acts while illuminated by the soft glow of a lantern
I never saw rainbows in my wine
I never observed vibrant bands of colors in my glass of wine
But now that your lips are burning mine
However, now that your warm and passionate kisses are touching mine
I'm beginning to see the light
I'm starting to understand and perceive the truth or reality
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Cloud9, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Edward Kennedy Ellington, Don George, Harry James, Johnny Hodges
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind