Muggsy led several traditional, "hot" jazz bands, most notably Muggsy Spanier and His Ragtime Band (which did not, in fact, play ragtime but, rather, "hot jazz" that would now be called Dixieland). This band set the style for all later attempts to play traditional jazz with a swing rhythm section. Its key members, apart from Muggsy, were: George Brunies - later Brunis - (trombone and vocals), Rodney Cless (clarinet), George Zack or Joe Bushkin (piano), Ray McKinstry, Nick Ciazza or Bernie Billings (tenor sax), and Bob Casey (bass). A number of competent but unmemorable drummers worked in the band.
The Ragtime Band's theme tune was "Relaxin' at the Touro", named for Touro Infirmary, the New Orleans hospital where Muggsy had been treated for a perforated ulcer early in 1938. He had been at the point of death when he was saved by one Dr. Alton Ochsner who drained the fluid and eased Muggsy's weakened breathing.
"Relaxin' At The Touro" is a fairly straightforward 12-bar blues, with a neat piano introduction and coda by Joe Bushkin. The pianist recalled, many years later: "When I finally joined Muggsy in Chicago (having left Bunny Berigan's failing big band) we met to talk it over at the Three Deuces, where Art Tatum was appearing. Muggsy was now playing opposite Fats Waller at the Sherman hotel and we worked out a kind of stage show for the two bands. Muggsy was a man of great integrity. We played a blues in C and I made up a little intro. After that I was listed as the co-composer of "Relaxin' at the Touro" (quoted by Richard B. Hadlock in the notes to the Bluebird CD 'Muggsy Spanier 1939 - The "Ragtime Band" Sessions', 07863 66550).
The (then) young pianist Joe Bushkin was in the Ragtime Band in 1939 and later said of Muggsy: "When he nailed something right, he stayed with it; he wouldn't fix it if it wasn't broke".
In his time, Muggsy made numerous Dixieland recordings that still serve as favorites today. Apart from the famous Ragtime Band, his other most important ventures were the quartet he co-led with Sidney Bechet (the 'Big Four') in 1940 and the traditional band he co-led with pianist Earl Hines at the Club Hangover in San Francisco in the 1950s. During the early 1920s he played with The Bucktown Five in Chicago.
Although Muggsy's real name was Francis Joseph Julian Spanier, he acquired the nickname "Muggsy" either because of his youthful enthusiasm for a baseball hero ("Muggsy" McGraw), or because of his obsession with King Oliver and Louis Armstrong. He was known to have shadowed and "mugged" both of them, copying their styles and incorporating them into his own music. He was allowed, on at least one occasion, to sit in with King Oliver's band (with Louis Armstrong on second cornet) at the Lincoln Gardens, Chicago, in the early 1920s.
He ended his days in the 1960s, leading a traditional jazz band that included old friends like Joe Sullivan (piano), Pops Foster (bass) and Darnell Howard (clarinet). He was not a great technician or virtuoso, but he could lead a traditional ensemble with fire and guts.
Sweet Lorraine
Muggsy Spanier Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can't believe it yet, but it's true,
I'll give you just one guess,
My sweet Lorraine said "yes"
Waiting for the time, soon to be,
When the bells will chime merrily,
(I'm so happy,) when it's raining I don't miss the sun,
Just think that I'm the lucky one
Who will lend her down the aisle
Each night I pray
That nobody steals her heart away,
Just can't wait until that happy day,
When I marry sweet Lorraine
Everything is set, skies are blue,
Can't believe it yet, but it's true,
I'll give you just one guess,
My sweet Lorraine said "yes"
Waiting for the time, soon to be,
When the bells will chime merrily,
(I'm so happy,) when it's raining I don't miss the sun,
For it's in my sweeties smile,
Just think that I'm the lucky one
Who will lend her down the aisle
Each night I pray
That nobody steals her heart away,
Just can't wait until that happy day,
When I marry sweet Lorraine
The lyrics to Muggsy Spanier's song Sweet Lorraine express the joy and anticipation of a man who has just received a proposal from his beloved Lorraine. The first verse describes the surreal feeling of everything falling into place and the disbelief that the proposal has actually happened. The chorus repeats the excitement of Lorraine's acceptance and the anticipation of the wedding bells ringing.
The second verse highlights the singer's love for Lorraine and the comfort and happiness he finds in her smile, even on a rainy day. He considers himself incredibly lucky to have her and imagines the moment when he will walk her down the aisle. The final line of the verse reveals his fear of someone stealing her heart away, emphasizing the preciousness of their relationship.
Overall, the lyrics to Sweet Lorraine are a celebration of love and the excitement of a future shared together. They paint a nostalgic picture of the pre-wedding days and the anticipation leading up to the big day.
Line by Line Meaning
Everything is set, skies are blue
The singer's surroundings are perfect for a special moment in his life.
Can't believe it yet, but it's true
The singer is in awe of what is happening.
I'll give you just one guess, My sweet Lorraine said "yes"
The singer's love interest has agreed to marry him.
Waiting for the time, soon to be, When the bells will chime merrily
The artist is eagerly anticipating his upcoming wedding day.
(I'm so happy,) when it's raining I don't miss the sun, For it's in my sweeties smile
The artist's love for his partner is so strong that it shines through even on a gloomy day.
Just think that I'm the lucky one Who will lend her down the aisle
The singer is grateful and honored to be the one to walk his partner down the aisle.
Each night I pray That nobody steals her heart away
The singer is protective of his partner's heart and hopes that she will not fall out of love with him.
Just can't wait until that happy day, When I marry sweet Lorraine
The artist is eagerly awaiting the day when he will officially become married to his partner.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: CLIFF BURWELL, CLIFFORD BURWELL, MITCHELL PARISH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mrjimmienoone2130
One should know that however well Muggsy Spanier played here, he had severe lip trouble and ended the first session with a bleeding lip. His performance here is all the more admirable.
@JuanFecit
Maravilloso, muchas gracias por compartirlo.
@johnharpdalton4092
Great tune from a bygone time far freer than ours in many ways.
@dickstreyckmans4200
This will never be forgotten.
@spt222
Recorded 77 years ago. Timeless.
@lsdvine
gorgeous sounds
@326Ka
beautiful song
@029732042
Classic!
@nickatsss
Really great version in the key of G concert. Made me realise what a nice key G major is on the clarinet. Can't ever really consider playing it any other key after listening to this
@oldtimejazzfan
@Cultural Ethiopian Music Certainly, from 3:28 to 3:44 behind the guitar solo.