The Chetboard

I remember seeing Chet playing this tune with a bluegrass group he liked called the Cluster Pickers. Up to that point I had only heard Chet's guitar solo version of it from some RCA Camden release. I didn't really know it had lyrics. I liked the way he meshed with the group and their rendition of it. If I remember correctly two women sung the lyrics. I'd like to hear that version again. I got a DVD from someone named Mickey at this site years ago who put together a bunch of our tapes of recorded TV performances. Does anyone remember if it was on that one? If so I will begin looking for it in my house (a daunting task). If it is on some other DVD release would someone please let me know. You know how you can get a stuck tune in your head. Thanks.

Rich Irvine

The version I first heard was the Django version, and he had a vocalist with him. The lyrics are pretty silly.


Hot gingerbread and dynamite
I drink nothing, folks, but that each night
Back in Nagasaki where the fellows chew tobaccky
And the women wicky-wacky-woo

They got a way to entertain
And hurry, hurry hurricane
Back in Nagasaki where the fellows chew tobaccky
And the women wicky-wacky-woo

Fujiama, got your mama
There your troubles increase
Semicola and a soda
Earthquake milkshake, ten cents apiece

They hug you and kiss each night
Oh by jingo, it's worth the price
Back in Nagasaki where the fellows chew tobaccky
And the women wicky-wacky-woo

Thanks George. I know the lyrics are silly sounding. It was a tin pan alley novelty song which they were writing in the 1920's I guess. I liked Chet and the cluster pluckers rendition of it. I suppose it's just not "out there". At least I got to see them do it once, probably on a PBS show.

Rich Irvine