Kokomo Arnold

James Arnold, b. February 15, 1901 in Lovejoys Station, GA, d. November 8, 1968 in Chicago, IL. 'Kokomo' Arnold was a left-handed slide blues guitarist who learned the basics of his style from his cousin, James Wigges. After working in steel mills in Illinois and Pennsylvania he became a dedicated fisherman and moonshiner, who looked upon his musical success as an adjunct to 'real life'. Arnold developed an unorthodox method of playing guitar, based on a style that had originally been popular in a few states in the Deep South. He held the instrument flat, using a slide to create an eerie, ringing sound. Unlike the relaxed and often casual approach of many of his contemporaries, Arnold's was an urgent, aggressive style, and he achieved remarkable results with his unusual method of guitar playing and the curiously high-pitched, often unintelligible, singing that accompanied it. Interspersed in these wailings would be sudden bursts of vocal clarity that gave his statements great authority. He gained a reputation that followed him in his travels throughout the northern states in the years after the end of World War I.

Arnold did not record until 1930, when he released 'Paddlin' Blues' (a breakneck blues personalization of 'Paddlin' Madelin' Home') and 'Rainy Night Blues' under the sobriquet 'Gitfiddle Jim' for Victor Records in Memphis. He continued to record throughout the 30s, all his further work appearing on Decca Records. His biggest hit was the double a-side 'Old Original Kokomo Blues' (named after a brand of coffee) and 'Milk Cow Blues', the latter of which he recorded in no less than five numbered versions. It was picked up by other bluesmen and enjoyed a second vogue when it was recorded by rock 'n' rollers such as Elvis Presley and Eddie Cochran in the 50s. With notable exceptions, Arnold's work tended to follow a pattern, but was always enlivened by his powerful slide work and original lyrics. He also added his guitar talents to recordings by Roosevelt Sykes, Mary Johnson and Peetie Wheatstraw. Arnold ceased recording in 1938 following disagreements with Mayo Williams of Decca Records. In the early 60s he made a few appearances in Chicago, during the revival of interest in his brand of folk blues. For all his rather fleeting moments in the limelight, Arnold was an influence on Robert Johnson, who was, in his turn, one of the most seminal of the second-generation blues singers, and whose legacy helped to shape rock music. Arnold died in Chicago in November 1968.