We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.
/

about

"Cool Water" was written in the 1930s by Canadian-born Bob Nolan. He went on to write many classic cowboy songs for film and record and is considered one of the great all-time songwriters in the country and Americana genres. Nolan is best known as a founding member of Sons of the Pioneers, joining that group after answering a classified ad posted by Leonard Slye a.k.a. Roy Rogers. The song inspired Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys to create "Cool, Cool Water."

I studied a few different recordings of this song to fashion my arrangement. The Sons of the Pioneers re-did it in 1960, with a big, dazzling "Hollywood orchestra" arrangement (with chord changes). However, I preferred the original, stripped down version with just vocals and acoustic guitar.

To clarify the song, I told the "back story" behind the lyrics. It's about a man who got stuck in the desert and ran out of water. He's singing this song to his donkey, named Dan . If you've ever been alone in a desert, singing to an animal (or to yourself) is a way to stay encouraged.

credits

from BY REQUEST: CHATTANOOGA CHOO CHOO & MORE FROM THE GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK, released September 21, 2018

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Johnny J Blair "Singer at Large" image

Johnny J Blair "Singer at Large" San Francisco, California

"Johnny is a virtuoso"--Brian Wilson
"Pop music with a conscience.”--Goldmine
“the Harry Houdini of rock and roll.”-- Spotlight. Listen to Johnny's fast-paced mix of old school soul, psychedelia, punk/new wave, & classic pop/rock. Singer-songwriter in his own right, he was also a sideman for Davy Jones and The Monkees + performed with David Cassidy, Al Stewart, Buddy & Julie Miller, & others. ... more

contact / help

Contact Johnny J Blair "Singer at Large"

Streaming and
Download help

Shipping and returns

Report this track or account

Johnny J Blair "Singer at Large" recommends:

If you like Johnny J Blair "Singer at Large", you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Featuring interviews with LA music scene pillar Kamasi Washington, and new London-based duo Mrcy.

listen now