“Dupree”

Description

Betty asks Dupree for a diamond ring; he promises her one. He sets out for the jewelry store and steals a ring, but shoots a policeman as he escapes. Unwilling to leave Betty and/or unable to flee, he is captured, convicted, and hanged

Historical references

• Dec 15, 1921 - Frank Dupree robs an Atlanta jewelry store
• Sept. 1, 1922 - Dupree hanged

Same tune

• Georgia White, "New Dupree Blues" (Decca 7209, 1936)

Cross references

• cf. "Frank Dupree" [Laws E24] (plot)

Recordings

• Blind Andy [pseud. for Rev. Andrew Jenkins] "Frank Dupree" (OKeh 40446, 1925)
• Vernon Dalhart, "Frank Dupree" (Columbia 15042-D, 1925) (Edison 51693, 1926) (Vocalion 5091/Vocalion 15284, 1926)
• Teddy Grace, "Betty and Dupree" (Decca 2602, 1939)
• Art Thieme, "Betty & Dupree Blues" (on Thieme06)
• Kingfish Bill Tomlin, "Dupree Blues" (Paramount 13057, 1931; rec. 1930)
• Brownie McGhee, "Betty and Dupree" (on AschRec2)
• Willie Walker, "Dupree Blues" (Columbia 14578-D, 1931; rec. 1930; on BefBlues1, RoughWays1)
• Georgia White, "Dupree Blues" (Decca 7100, 1935)

References

1. Laws I11, "Dupree"
2. Friedman, p. 396, "Dupree" (2 texts, but only the second is I11; Laws considers the first to be E24)
3. Botkin-SoFolklr, p. 752, "Dupree" (1 text, 1 tune)
4. Darling-NAS, pp. 239-240, "Dupree" (1 text)
5. Silber-FSWB, p. 73, "Betty And Dupree" (1 text, possibly modified by Brownie McGhee)
6. DT, BTTYDPRE
7. Roud #4179
8. BI, LI11