DR. HOOK: Cover to Cover

Jessie Hill (December 9, 1932 – September 17, 1996) was an American R&B and Louisiana blues singer and songwriter, best remembered for the classic song "Ooh Poo Pah Doo". 

The origins of "Ooh Poo Pah Doo" were apparently created from a tune played by a local pianist, who was known only as Big Four. Hill wrote the lyrics and melody, later expanding the work with an intro taken from Dave Bartholomew. It was further honed on stage, before Hill recorded a demo that he shopped to local record labels, finally recording a session at Cosimo Matassa's studio produced by Allen Toussaint.

Upon its early 1960 release, "Ooh Poo Pah Doo" emerged as a favorite at Mardi Gras, selling 800,000 copies and reaching the Top 5 in the US Billboard R&B chart and a Top 30 slot in the Billboard Hot 100 pop chart. 

There have been over 100 cover versions of "Ooh Poo Pah Doo" recorded and performed live over the years by other popular musicians, for example, Ike and Tina Turner; The Shirelles; Wilson Pickett; Jimmy Smith; Taj Mahal; Freddy Fender; Trombone Shorty; Paul Revere and the Raiders; and Rufus Thomas.

Here's Jessie's version: 

Dr. Hook covered Jessie Hill's "Ooh Poo Pah Doo" in 1981 on the "Live in the UK" album. It also appears on 1996's box set, "Pleasure and Pain: The History of Dr. Hook".

Here's Dr. Hook's version with Ray (Sawyer) on lead.

(The information used in this post is from Wikipedia.)

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