My Ten Favorite Bo/Beau Songs (Ever)

By Bill Bentley

1. "Bo Diddley" by Bo Diddley
How many songs are named after the artist themselves, even if they use a pseudonym? This is one of the great rhythmic accomplishments of the modern world, and developed a whole new beat to keep listeners jumping. Mr. Diddley is joined by drummer Clifton James along with maraca man Jerome Green, to fashion something beyond the mind's comprehension it's so strong. People are still gyrating like primitives turned loose on St. Vitus Day, and the world is a better place for it. Diddley himself passed on not long ago, but not before attaining cosmological perfection in the ‘50s with this primordial blast. And that beat, oh that beat, long may it wail.

2. "Laugh, Laugh" by the Beau Brummels
They weren't from England at all. In fact, they were from the Bay Area and preceded that city's storming of heaven during the LSD heyday. Instead, the Beau Brummels dressed as their name demanded, and sang with such perfection vocalist Sal Valentino could probably have gone into opera if he'd wanted. Instead, he started the group Stoneground, but not before this original outfit headed for Nashville to bathe their feet in country waters on the Bradley's Barn album. A great idea a little ahead of its time, it turns out, but the Brummels' first hits still soar today.

3. "Desert Flowers" by Bo Ramsey
You may need a private eye's license to locate any of the Iowan's albums, but they are worth the search. Each and every one of them, but particularly In The Weeds. It sounds like something the Rolling Stones should have made in the early ‘90s, but just didn't have the desperation to pull off. This track features Lucinda Williams on guest vocals, and if it doesn't make you sweat big wet drops in your dreams, you might want to consider turning it up a notch or two. Ramsey is still out there, producing and provoking everything he can. Thank goodness.

4. "Your Biscuits are Big Enough for Me" by Bo Carter
Now we know where Kinky Friedman got some of his early sizzle. Carter, a Southerner working his way around the country in the 1930s, loved to go for the risqué side of the railroad tracks, and helped invent a whole new genre of blue blues. With a gruff voice and slashing acoustic guitar, it sounds like he was used to leaving town in a hurry, maybe at the end of a pointed pistol. It also sounds like he had more fun than any man should have. No Bo, no show.

5. "She's a Runaway" by the BoDeans
Since everyone in this band from Waukesha adopted BoDeans as a last name, it's obvious it means a lot to them. Whatever they're called, though, they are singing fools who write some of the best hit songs that never actually became hits. And this is one of them. Produced by T Bone Burnett before he struck true pay dirt, the two lead singers and slamming rhythm section are the perfect quartet to represent Middle America, and still throw plenty of romantic danger into the mix. Surely Del Shannon is smiling somewhere, even if he had nothing to do with this song. Inspiration always counts for something.

6. "Jockomo Jockomo" by Bo Dollis & the Wild Magnolias
When you want to let the boat loose from the moorings, head for New Orleans, because that's where the rules are erased and all bets are off. Bo Dollis leads one of the Mardi Gras Indian tribes in the Crescent City, and this may as well be the theme song for the capers they go on, because it basically means "kiss my ass." Which is a good motto for everywhere, if you think on it awhile. Between the drums, cowbells and tambourines they beat on and the syncopated squalling chants in the background, the Wild Magnolias are ready for whatever comes their way.

7. "San Juan Capistrano" by Beau Jennings & Holy Tulsa Thunder
Not sure in the sense of an Oklahoman heartthrob who lives in Brooklyn naming one of his best songs after a Southern California town, but if it works leave it alone. Jennings has a voice that can stop time, and surely it won't be long before the rest of the world finds out about it. But until then, track this song down and bask in the glory of the setting golden sun and everything that can go wrong in its glare. Because it's all there.

8. "Le Bozo Two-Step" by Beausoleil
They come from the swamps, but are table-trained and know their way around a dozen instruments. Even better, they honor tradition but aren't s afraid to mess it all up and try to start some commotion with what ensues. Michael Doucet and his crew have been behind so many sneak attacks of sound over the years it's like they should give them the keys to Louisiana and leave it at that. Boozoo Chavis may well be the man behind the spark of this song's inception, but no matter who helped give birth to this particular two-step, be assured there was some hot-footing and cold-beering going on. Just like today.

9. "Fried Neck Bones and Some Homefries" by Willie Bobo
Any list without some food included is going to be a fairly paltry affair, and what could possibly be better than neck bones and homefries, especially as rhapsodized by Willie Bobo? One of the world's great percussionists, he was a New Yorker who knew his way around uptown and downtown, and wasn't afraid to haul his conga drum everywhere with him. The man recorded some of the coolest singles in Latin jazz history, and to this day any number of them can get people spinning in circles and reaching for the sky. This signature anthem, co-written with New Orleans cornet king Melvin Lastie, goes through the grease and gets right into the fire. Napkins not included.

10. "Check Mr. Popeye" by Eddie Bo
Definitely not saving the least for last, because one of New Orleans' finest pianists belongs at the top of any list, no matter what it's for. Taken to wearing turbans later in life in accordance with the soft-shell Yaweh religion he practiced, Eddie Bo never lost his keen eye for the goofery going on all around him in the Big Easy, or how it fit the unique piano styling that came to him in dreams. As for Popeye, he always had an eye on his spinach, whether Olive was in the danger zone or not. Burma Jones is probably punching up this single on the Seeburg box over at the Night of Joy on Iberville right this second, blowing out huge nimbus clouds of Kool smoke and basking in the dawn light creeping through the front door, wondering how a man could be so lucky. Whoa!


Did we miss your favorite? Share your picks for best Bo/Beau song below.