Under the spare tire in his trunk, in a rusty pool of water, is a 45. Jerry Jeff Walker, “Mr. Bojangles.” BH: The only record there? JH: Ibby had it when he left New Castle, Indiana.

A waltzing ballad about an old street dancer Mr. Walker had met in a New Orleans drunk tank, “Mr. Bojangles” was first recorded by Mr. Walker for the Atco label in 1968. The song achieved its ...