The info is helpful.

On a side note, i just ordered SOUL of the FUNKY DRUMMERS" dvd with Jabo Starks and Clyde Stubblefield. it’s probably going to be something you’ll want to check out.

     Mtume says:     

I have a couple ideas about the record you’re talking about, "(It’s Not The Express) It’s The J.B.’s Monaurail," and about another inscrutably-titled J.B.’s record named "Transmograpfication." Both of those songs show up on the J.B.’s Hustle With Speed album. Look at the cover of that LP and think about the similarity between the words ‘monorail’ (a railway system using a single rail) and ‘monaural’ (of or pertaining to the ear). At first glance, both titles look like mispellings, but after thinking about it, I’m pretty sure they weren’t. Anyway, check back with us in the next couple weeks. We have more coming on the J.B.’s….

Midway you provide some context for this “nonsensical rambling” and “random gibberish.” It’s indeed a typical scene of Negro’s “jiving,” like what occurs on the corner with Richard’s or Colt 45 or in a joint over a fifth of Jim Beam. James is holding court. He’s improvising on the key word “escape.” He begins with, “when you forget that grits is groceries and that eggs is poultry, you lose your thing. Now, you can lose your thing out there wandering around.” He’s speaking about responsibility; the necessity of “taking care business,” of staying focus, of balancing aspects of one’s life, of working in unison with others—family, friends, lovers, one’s people.

In some sense this talk is autobiographical, which is emphasized by JB’s asking the question, “Where’re you from.” Here’s a bit of folk wisdom popping up here: “Don’t put on airs”—acting (talking) like you Mr. Charlie, when you ain’t. That is, don’t pretend you’re something that you’re not. Up North and out West, there was considerable mockery of “country niggers” (those from the South)—you can take the nigger out the country but you can’t take the country out the nigger.” For JB, that latter is a good thing; it is to be savored. There’s gold (value) in them backwoods. One resource is the church and the manner of worship—the sanctified and the holiness churches (where rhythm and the Beat were emphasized), also objects of middle-class mockery. So, Mtume, your impulse is on key. What we loved about James is that he was no phony, never became phony. He realized that he could not escape his history, his lack of formal education, his illiteracy. None of that, in any case, was the determinant of intelligence or insight into the “truths” about and joys of life itself. James exploited to the hilt that which he did know, that which was handed down—the music, the passion, the commitment to hard work. He embraced and expanded on that which was real and native in his people. And for that we loved him, even when at times he was comical and an embarrassment. If you wish to call that “serious philosophical knowledge,” then we jamming. — Rudy

I jes’ love this track!

Being a JB fanatic who listens to JB’s Escape-ism - Complete take at least once every day I can only say that anyone that would transcribe this version is entitled to a drink on me. And although I didn’t personally need them, your annotations were both accurate and thoughtful. By the way, I have filled in some of the gaps in your transcription, e.g., where you listed the speaker as “unknown”. If you read this blog entry and want me to send it to you, let me know.

Thanks again for your great work!