JOSH WHITE - One Meat Ball (1944)

Not previously posted, and very different from the one recording (Asch Int'l 348-2B) that has been posted.

[@paulnorman3709]

My parents used to sing this song when I was little. They were the generation of the Great Depression, and this song, in a rather light-hearted way, expresses the despair of those times when people could not afford a decent meal.

[@theiceman6941]

It's hard to afford one NOW. Not trivializing what people went through then, but just saying, we're in a new Depression right now; times are bad and getting worse - a year from now many of us who are just getting by now will not be able to afford meals, it's without a doubt....

[@kanguruster]

My grandmother sang this to my mother who sang it to me and I was profoundly affected, so does that make it intergenerational trauma? Except for the fact that I was 6 years old, I would have gone straight out and joined the Communist Party. Just thinking "you get no bread with one meatball" brings tears to my eyes and leads me to reflect on the structural and societal injustices that has the poor hating on the dirt poor.

[@Jacquiminns]

This used to make my sister cry her eyes out ... she was only about 5 but it’s such a vivid memory. Josh White was my Dads favourite singer...

[@GerarddeSouza-yt3fc]

A sensitive child. I think she understood it.

[@user-hy2gb8vh9f]

My dad was a fan and now I’m A fan. That was fifty years ago 😉✌️❤️🎶

[@Blisstew]

Sing this for years, when I'm making spaghetti and meatballs for my family.

[@mackdaddie222]

Josh White, America's best kept secret. Easily the best male blues voice of all time.

[@K9Angelheart]

My dad used to sing this every time my mom made spaghetti and meatballs! Never heard the original recording before!

[@nuxvomica5045]

This song really exists? My father used to sing it all the time.

[@kennewicksheri]

oohooh marvelous.... Marvelous.... love that sweet lil cry in his voice... perfect

[@tembiu]

pasmem: conheci essa música através de Dorival Caymmi... ouvi ele falar sobre essa composição numa entrevista com jô soares e vim procurar pra saber. que peça linda! valeu, dorival caymmi!!

[@WildBillCox13]

An all time favorite, this version by America's great bard: Josh White.

[@w.l.graves7228]

love the song .. had it on a different album of his 75 years ago , thank you for posting this by blues icon josh white !

[@user-nm1ui9vt5c]

I told this as a blues.

[@kathylane869]

brings back many memories

[@theiceman6941]

So that 15 cents is now an insane 2 and a half dollars approximately. For one meat ball. We're there...

[@RindaKramme]

My dad sang this too. I didn't know where he heard it.

[@Themaddprof]

I remember Louis Jordan referencing this in either "Beware" or "Look Out Sister."

[@kinkle_Z]

Jeez - give me the meatball over the bread! Any day... Recording sure sounds perfect! Thanks!

[@GerarddeSouza-yt3fc]

The versions I heard before this are derisive novelty versions. This truly is a comment on poverty.

[@arklife6531]

A classic

[@mikehunt7810]

It's funny because I remember this because my Nana sings it all the time

[@submarinor001]

My Mom loves this song

[@user-bn6oh8kc6g]

Sure, there are many versions of this piece. Always examine the original first.

[@jamidavis]

Lady of The Lamp

[@jeffweiler9382]

Slow and sad. Good stuff!!

[@afraserrome]

YOU GETS NO BREAD WITH ONE MEATBALL! Who's the deep voice in the background?

[@JeffreyDBall]

I believe it was his bass player

[@petemat5054]

Sam Gary or Al Hall - See the 'Josh White at Midnight' Album

[@afraserrome]

Thanks for the input :)

[@Scyllax]

I had a friend in high school who sang this: He sounded more like the backup singers.

[@billfindley4624]

Al Hall

[@user-hy2gb8vh9f]

I have a copy of the 78 rpm record that has the same crack in it 😉

[@pibbles-a-plenty1105]

Plain lucky, ain't NO meatballs for a lot of folks in this world.

[@theiceman6941]

Damn RIGHT.

[@billrice111]

TCM Jackie Robinson

[@afraserrome]

Charley

[@pattierichards7391]

Yeah it’s kinda funny but if you grew up being anxious about money, it’s also kinda traumatizing lol If you’re rich, you’ll never understand. (Not just his hunger but the shame.)

[@jimwilson3878]

what is them key?

[@timwysocki6837]

Somewhere between d and e flat

[@billrice111]

Funny girl CBS

[@haroldreyes7549]

NO, this was 1944!!

[@inept_]

so THIS is what those women who're used to going to carnegie hall want to hear when they go night clubbing...