Jambalaya

***"Jambalaya***" is a song written and recorded by American country music singer Hank Williams that was first released in July 1952. Named for a Creole and Cajun dish, jambalaya, it spawned numerous cover versions and has since achieved popularity in several different music genres. The Residents covered this song as part of the 'hank' side of their *Stars & Hank Forever* album, and have used it as the opening track for three live shows.

## Background

### Original Versions

Jamablaya was first released on July 9, 1952, by Moon Mullican*,* who co-wrote the song uncredited due to contractual obligations, Williams' version was released July 19th that same year, when it peaked at number 1 on the US Hot Country singles. Jo Stafford then recorded a version of the song which was released on July 20th 1952, and charted at number 3 in the Pop Charts. During this time Hardy Fox, and The Residents, where children.

In 1960, Bobby Comstock's version charted at 90, and in January of 1962, Fats Domino's version charted at number 30 in the US billboard charts. In 1972, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's version of the song charted at 84 on the US charts, and in 1973, Blue Ridge Rangers' version charted at 14 on the Record World charts.

### The Residents' Versions

The Residents decided to cover the song on 1986 for their *Stars & Hank Forever* album. It was released as the B-Side to Kaw-Liga in Europe, perhaps due to the popularity of the song. The Residents' version combines Jambalaya with *The Singing Waterfall*, another Williams composition.

### Live Performances

"Jambalaya" has been performed a handful of times by The Residents, often as the opening to a one off show. The first example was for the final performance of *The 13th Anniversary Show* which featured Snakefinger on guitar. Two years later the song was performed as the introduction to Buckaroo Blues on the German TV program, *Off Beat Night*. It was also performed as the opening track to their Disfigured Night show at The Fillmore.

In 2011, Charles Bobuck composed a live arrangement of the song that went used until it was featured on his compilation album *Maxine / CB Suite* in 2014*.* In 2014 he, in collaboration with The Residents, released a remix of the original Jambalaya for the Radio Thoreau project. During the Faceless Forever/Dog Stab 50th Anniversary tour, it was played, once again, as the opening song of each show.

## Appearances

* Stars & Hank Forever! (1986)
* Kaw-Liga / Jambalaya (1986)
* Hit The Road Jack (Special Almost Dance Mix) (1987)
* In Memoriam Torso (1994)
* Our Tired, Our Poor, Our Huddled Masses (1997)
* Live At The Fillmore (1998)
* Cube-E (2006)
* Cover Versions (2009)
* 1997: The Missing Year - The Fillmore Dress Rehearsal (Act One) (2009)
* Maxine / CB Suite (2014)
* Radio Thoreau Single (2014)
* 80 Aching Orphans (2017)

## Versions

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1986 Studio Version (4:46)
2. ↑ 1986 Single Edit (3:27)
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Huddled Masses Edit (3:53)
4. ↑ 1997 Live Version (4:55)
5. ↑ 1989 Live Version (4:11)
6. ↑ 1997 Rehearsal Version (4:36)
7. ↑ 2013 Bobuck version (5:08)
8. ↑ 2014 Radio Thoreau Remix (3:59)

## Notes

1. ↑ There are three live shows this could've been used for. In 2011, the Talking Light tour was on its final legs, and the Wonder of Weird tour was two years away. Randy Rose also was undertaking his Sam's Enchanted Evening performances, which featured piano re-arrangements of classic pop songs. The song is also note featured on the WOW demos releases.

## Reference

1. ↑ https://www.discogs.com/release/5547471-Charles-Bobuck-Maxine-CB-Suite