Rosetta Howard's smooth, smoky 1937 anthem on original Brunswick shellac@EwanOldthings

Step directly into the ultimate late-night anthem of the pre-war jazz era. This is an original 10-inch shellac pressing of "If You're A Viper" by blues vocalist Rosetta Howard backed by the Harlem Hamfats, originally recorded in New York on October 5, 1937 and released on the Vocalion label (7378 / S.202 UK). While jazz violinist Stuff Smith originally composed and recorded a fast version of the track in 1936, it was Rosetta Howard who slowed down the tempo, rewrote portions of the vocal melody, and injected it with an unforgettable, smooth-grooving late-night crawl. Fronted by Howard's distinct, commanding vocals and propelled by the hot, smoky horn textures of Herb Morand and Odell Rand, this track became an immense underground favorite across the mid-century music circuit—even serving as the exact layout that Fats Waller later studied and copied for his own recordings. 🛒 Where to Buy Rare 78s: 👉 Shop rare records at ewanoldthings on eBay: ebay.co.uk