Song:Pass The Hatchet
Album:The Intro Collection: New Orleans
Here's a little slice of New Orleans funk that was not a hit when it was released in 1969 but has been retrospectively hailed as big influence on 70s soul. The song got a big boost when Robert Rodriguez put it on the soundtrack of his 1995 film Desperado. There was no group Roger & The Gypsies and Pass The Hatchet was the only song released under that name. The man behind it and the vocalist on the song was veteran producer Eddie Bo. He was born Edwin Bocage Sept. 20, 1930 in New Orleans. He started out in the early 50s playing piano behind many New Orleans artists. He recorded under his own name starting in 1955 but was usually on small labels and so none of his records were more than regional hits. For example his 1961 song Check Mr. Popeye was covered by Chubby Checker before Bo could get national distribution. His biggest hit Hook & Sling reached the R & B top 40 in 1969. Pass The Hatchet was released on Seven-B and suffered a similar fate to most of his other songs. But it's a great mostly instrumental groove with killer guitar by Earl Stanley. Bo started his own label and also owned a renovation business. He continued to be active in music though I think it's fair to say that he never got his due though a lot of musicians knew about him. Willy DeVille had Bo appear on his records. Pass The Hatchet got a big boost when it appeared on the soundtrack of Robert Rodriguez' 1995 film Desperado. Fans heard the song there and want to know how to get it. The Desperado soundtrack has been discontinued but you can get Pass The Hatchet on this 3CD budget various artists comp which is a good intro to New Orleans R & B. Eddie Bo died on Mar. 18, 2009 at age 78. Here's a video for Pass The Hatchet by Roger & The Gypsies.
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