Hello, you guys,
I want to introduce you to the new Dave Robicheaux novel, THE HADACOL BOOGIE, in an unusual fashion. It’s through music. I’ve always believed that the Spheres are real, and if we tune in we’ll discover the magic of creation. The Greeks learned that over two thousand years ago. Logistics and mathematics and weights and most of the sciences were founded on form, and form was generated by the Spheres or maybe we should just say simply music. In other words, we’re not lost in the firmament, we’re part of it.
So, in the opening of this story, we find Dave listening to a recording of Jimmie Rodgers, the Mississippi Yodeler, and singing The T.B. Blues.
This is one of the saddest songs I’ve ever listened to. If you know the songs and the history of Jimmie Rodgers, you already know the pain that was in his heart for many years. His last days were Up-North recording, every ballad weakening his strength, forcing him closer to the day he would see his last train. Dave knows what Jimmie Rodgers was about, and he also knows what Merle Haggard was about. So, if you have a chance, read the first chapter of The Hadacol Boogie and listen to Merle’s rendition of The T.B. Blues. It will blow you out of the room.
Mr. Haggard is gone now, but like Jimmie Rodgers he lives on in his music. In some way each man reflects all of us. The artist, the actor, the writer, the musician, in other words all those who create, are the only people who can say they have dipped their hands in the same bowl as God.
Jerry Lee Lewis is also in this book. I always believed he was a great musician, and it was a wonder that he survived the difficulties that plagued him for decades. Setting his own piano on fire was just for starters. He did it to put down Chuck Berry at the Apollo in Harlem, while the fire-extinguishers in the ceiling hosed down the audience. Maybe that was exaggerated; I wasn’t there. But that doesn’t matter. His talent was incredible. Good heavens, no one could play a piano like Jerry Lee, except his sister Linda Gail. If you like rock and roll, check out Jerry Lee and Buddy Guy and Ron Wood knocking out the original promotional song, The Hadacol Boogie.
Where did it come from? La Louisiane, podna. What was Hadacol? It was a corruption of the words Had, A, Col. (Your cold is gone.) The bottle contained a mixture of vitamins and alcohol, and you could get smashed and not have a hangover.
I have a feeling Jerry Lee has had a big welcome Up There.
I hope you enjoy the new novel. I think it’s good one, and it’s big, too. And it’s serious.
Keep it in E-major,
Jim