Kokomo Arnold - Collection 1930-38 (CD)

James "Kokomo" Arnold was a blues singer, songwriter and left-handed slide guitarist from Georgia, who eventually landed up in Chicago where he ran a bootlegging business during the prohibition years of the 1920s. After making a record in Memphis in 1930 under the name of Gitfiddle Jim, he started playing professionally in Chicago when prohibition came to an end in 1933, and began recording for Decca after being introduced to producer Mayo Williams. He recorded regularly in Chicago from 1934 to 1937, sometimes working with pianist Peetie Wheatstraw, and wrote and recorded many songs which proved highly influential in later years. This great-value 49-track 2-CD collection comprises selected A and B sides of the 40 or so solo releases he had during his career, which we trust provides a substantial and representative cross-section of his career output, before he became disillusioned and simply gave up performing and recording when he realised how little he was making from his work. It features his most influential songs, including "Original Kokomo Blues", the song which gave him his name, and which Robert Johnson adapted as "Sweet Home Chicago", "Millk Cow Blues", which Johnson also adapted as "Milkcow Calf's Blues" and was later recorded by Elvis Presley, "Sagefield Woman Blues", which introduced the phrase "dust my broom" into blues parlance, and "Sissy Man Blues". It's a fascinating showcase for a performer who had a significant influence during his short career as a recording artist

Track List:

Disc: 1

1. Paddlin' Blues
2. Milk Cow Blues
3. Old Original Kokomo Blues
4. Sagefield Woman Blues
5. Back to the Woods
6. Sissy Man Blues
7. Old Black Cat Blues (Jinx Blues)
8. Milk Cow Blues No.2
9. Black Money Blues
10. How Long, How Long Blues
11. The Twelves (The Dirty Dozen)
12. Slop Jar Blues
13. Cause You're Dirty
14. Milk Cow Blues No.3
15. Big Leg Mama (John Russel Blues)
16. Monday Morning Blues
17. Busy Bootin'
18. Policy Wheel Blues
19. Traveling Rambler Blues
20. Front Door Blues (3220 Blues)
21. Milk Cow Blues No.4
22. Down and Out Blues
23. I Can't Get Enough of That Stuff
24. I'll Be Up Some Day

Disc: 2

1. Stop Look and Listen
2. Let Your Money Talk
3. Mule Laid Down and Died
4. Shake That Thing
5. Running Drunk Again
6. Mister Charlie
7. Lonesome Road Blues
8. Salty Dog
9. Sister Jane Cross the Hall
10. Wild Water Blues
11. Laugh and Grin Blues
12. Backfence Picket Blues
13. Black Mattie
14. Red Beans and Rice
15. Set Down Gal
16. Shine on Moon (Shine Shine on)
17. Head Cuttin' Blues
18. Neck Bone Blues
19. Buddie Brown Blues (Rolling Time)
20. Kid Man Blues
21. Going Down in Galilee (Swing Along with Me)
22. Something's Hot
23. Your Ways and Actions
24. Bad Luck Blues
25. My Well Is Dry