Mighty Hannibal 1939-2014

By , January 31, 2014 12:10 pm

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Listen/Download The Mighty Hannibal – Jerkin’ the Dog (Special Tribute)*

Greetings all

The word came down yesterday that James Shaw, better known as the Mighty Hannibal had passed away at the age of 74.

Hannibal was a master (as well as a charter member of the Turban Hall of Fame!), recording some remarkable soul and funk 45s in a career that lasted – with some detours along the way – more than 50 years.

His 1965 opus ‘Jerkin’ the Dog’ has a secure place in my Top 5 soul 45s of all time.

It is – much like Rex Garvin (eulogized in this space less than a month ago) and the Mighty Cravers ‘I Gotta Go Now (Up On the Floor)’ – a killer diller and a floor filler. A 45 so powerful that it held a place of honor in my play box, where it would be held in reserve for just the right moment, when it would be whipped on the crowd, taking them and leading them to the promised land.

It is far from the only incredible tune that the Mighty one laid down, but it is the one against which all others must be judged.

The record opens with his voice:

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And then immediately drops into the hypnotic chank of the rhythm guitar which forces even the most stolid members of the audience to start moving, from their heads to their feet.

Then Hannibal stops things again and asks:

 

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After which everyone in the room that knows what’s good for them (and hasn’t already collapsed) starts stomping, because when the Mighty Hannibal suggests (nay, demands) that you do something on the dance floor you put your drink down (or not) and do it.

There’s an incredible video of Hannibal performing ‘Jerkin’ the Dog’ on ‘The Beat!!!’ that has to be seen to be believed.

There stands Hannibal clad in a white silk tunic, bell bottoms, silver Beatle boots and a gold turban, with two go-go dancers behind him, surrounded by brightly colored giant plywood exclamation points, ampersands and asterisks, calling the shots, doing the jerk, walking the dog and just generally being bad-ass.

There are some crazy video artifacts out there, but this is like a transmission from another galaxy, where Hannibal is just now returning to his throne after dropping a lifetime of cool onto the earth.

The Mighty Hannibal did not have an easy life, and never really got the kind of shine that the creator of such amazing music deserved.

Fortunately, late in his life, thanks to devoted friends, fans and record hounds, he was able to return to the stage where he would bask in the adoration of the faithful once again.

He was a master.

He will be missed.

Rest in peace Mr. Shaw.

Keep the faith

Larry

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* The file above includes an unexpected namecheck for the Mighty Hannibal that blew my mind the first time I heard it.

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Also, the brand new Funky16Corners ‘Keep Calm and Stay Funky’ stickers have arrived! The stickers are 4″ x 3″ and printed on high quality, glossy stock. They are $2.00 each, with free shipping in the US ($2.00 per order shipping outside of the US). Click here to go to the ordering page.

Also, make sure that you check out the links below to the Be The Match Foundation and POAC (click on the logos for more info).

 

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PS Head over to Iron Leg too.

2 Responses to “Mighty Hannibal 1939-2014”

  1. Taylor says:

    OK, I’m dying to know who that soundbite is on the file of Jerkin’ The Dog. Hannibal was a good friend to me and my family, and is greatly missed by all who knew him.

  2. Larry says:

    The opening soundbite is Leon Russell, from the album ‘Leon Live’

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