Kokomo Arnold – The Kokomo Arnold Collection 1930-38 – 2CD

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 an artist who had a significant influence during his short career as a recording artist.

Track Listing:

CD1:
Gitfiddle Jim: 1. Paddlin' Blues -   Kokomo Arnold: 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 -

CD2:
Kokomo Arnold: 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 -