"Oh-Meon" - Harry Choates

By 1951, Cajun western swing fiddler Harry Choates' career was cut short.  After Choates' death, some of his obscure recordings were released on other Texas based labels.   Originally recorded for Bill Quinn's Gold Star Records in 1950, it seems it was released on Hummingbird afterwards.  Hummingbird Records out of Waco, TX and was managed by H.M. Crowe, a former executive for Decca Records and Houston record distributor for Gold Star.  "Oh-Meon" (#1011) seems to be a one of many un-released 1947 Gold Star recordings that labels such as Hummingbird, Starday, and D Records latched onto and began to issue.  Harry used the popular Cajun melody made famous by Leo Soileau and Mayuse Lafleur in their 1928 recording of "Your Father Put Me Out".  

Mon tout seul, pour t'en aller, pour t'en aller, petite,

Oh, cherie, moi j'connais, j'mérite pas ça.

Oh, mignonne, moi j'connais, il y a pas longtemps,

Oh, cherie, moi j'connais, ça me fais pitié.

Church Point News
Aug 17, 1948

"Meon" was a common phrase Harry used in his lyrics; the corrupted form of the French word "mignon", which in this reference means "cutie". While some of the un-released material were clearly done at Gold Star studios, others were recorded at an unknown location.   Even some of his tunes were later overdubbed by a backup band called Kentucky Slim and Southerners.  It's unknown if Hummingbird even used Gold Star's facilities to manufacturer their sides.  These mysteries leaves researchers with little knowledge of the recording's band members other than possibly Mateo Garza on bass and either Pietro Marchiando or Louis Oltremari on accordion.

I'm all alone, for you've left, for you've left, little one,

Oh, dearie, I know, I don't deserve that.

Oh, cutie, I know, it won't be long,

Oh, dearie, I know, that made me pitiful. 

After Daily of "D" Records purchased the Goldstar masters in 1955, he began re-releasing his music including on the "D" label in 1961. 

1. House of Hits: The Story of Houston's Gold Star/SugarHill Recording Studios By Andy Bradley
2. "Harry Choates: Devil in the Bayou".  Liner notes.

Release Info:
HB-1011A Big Woods | Humming Bird 1011-A
HB-1011B Oh-Meon | Humming Bird 1011-B


Find:
Harry Choates: Five-Time Loser 1940-1951 (Krazy Kat, 1990)
Cajun Fiddle King (AIM, 1999)
Devil In The Bayou - The Gold Star Recordings (Bear Family, 2002)