“See See Rider”
Song by Ray Charles Trio
When The Ray Charles Trio recorded a version of the perennial blues classic “See See Rider” in the spring of 1950, it was one of the final moments in the studio together for Ray Charles, guitarist Gossie McKee, and bassist Milton Garret. It was released (probably later in 1950) on Swing Time Records as a 78 (Swing Time 217), and also on quasi-legal repackagings of Ray’s early pre-Atlantic music (see below).
Ray is the undisputed focal point of “See See Rider”; bassist Garret provides the merest of barely-audible structure underneath, and McKee’s guitar is only noticeable on some quick, fret-diving chords two or three times during the performance.
Otherwise “See See Rider” is all Ray Charles: in a high, somewhat smooth voice he accuses his wild woman – his “rider” – of highly suspicious behavior and threatens revenge. By this time the reference to the Cannonball train from Ma Rainey’s 1924 recording has been twisted into a peculiarly surreal lyric, in the best folk/blues tradition:
I’m gonna buy me a pistol just as long as I am tall
Lord lord lord, kill my baby with a cannon ball
If she won’t have me she won’t have no man at all
Aside from the verses of the song, which hardly seem connected to one another, it’s the scintillating piano that dominates “See See Rider”. Ray grabs the piano with both hands, and commands its entirety. All ten of his fingers seem constantly engaged, finding unexpected fills and avoiding clichéd pit traps. It’s a phenomenal display of musicality.
“See See Rider” shows how far Ray had come in the two years of his young recording career. His growing gravitas is undeniable, and his technical skill at the piano is matched by his instinctive sensitivity to the shades of light and dark that make a truly compelling performance.
Single releases
“See See Rider”
by Ray Charles Trio
b/w
“What Have I Done”
by Ray Charles Trio
Listen to “See See Rider”
Besides the original 78 disc of “See See Rider”, with “What Have I Done” on the flip side, the song was released on Baronet as a 45, titled “See See Rider (Lord What You Have Done)” (with a mistitled “The Snow Is Falling” on the other side). Copies of the 78 are fairly scarce compared with many of Ray’s other early 78s; copies of the 45 are much easier to find.
In addition, the song has appeared on several of the dodgy, low-quality vinyl compilations of Ray’s early period that have appeared over the years. (Ray never owned the rights to his pre-Atlantic recordings.) These are not recommended since the approach to Ray’s music is so disrespectful. For example, the song is included on a cash-in LP called Soul Feeling, titled “See What You Have Done” and featuring garish new overdubbed backing vocals.
Get your own “See See Rider” on MP3 from Amazon. Or get the complete 1948-51 recordings CD.