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I've Got What It Takes

Virginia Liston acc. by
Clarence Williams' Washboard Band

Arville Harris, Buster Bailey , Clarence Williams, Ed Allen , Floyd Casey , Virginia Liston

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This recording was made in New York City on October 9th 1929 featuring Virginia Liston vocals, accompanied by Ed Allen cornet, Arville Harris (or Buster Bailey) clarinet & alto sax, Clarence Williams piano & leader, and Floyd Casey washboard.

*"I've Got What It Takes" was composed by Clarence Williams and Hezekiah Jenkins.

This 1929 Okeh release sung by Virginia Liston would mark the song's recorded debut.

Born in Louisiana around 1890 singer/songwriter Virginia Liston spent much of her career performing in black vaudeville (aka the T.O.B.A. circuit) partnered billed as "Liston & Liston" with her one-time husband Samuel Gray. Commonly it would be the man's name used for a husband and wife act, but in this unusual case they decided to use Virginia's surname became she was more famous. Virginia Liston met Clarence Williams initially during the early 1920's and they first appeared on record together in September 1923. Shortly after recording their very first "Liston & Liston" single in January 1924, Virginia filed for divorce. She went on to cut sides for the Okeh and Vocalion labels at times including such accompanists as Sidney Bechet and Louis Armstrong.