Release Date: March 3, 2014.
Recording Date: February - August, 1928.
Release Info: JSP11002, Vinyl, LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered.
The recordings made by Tommy Johnson and Ishman Bracey in Memphis in 1928 timelessly reach out through the years and across cultures to 'grab' a modern audience. Hugely influential early Country Blues recordings. The JSP remasters of these classic tracks have been acclaimed as the best-rich, warm and capturing every possible nuance and subtlety of these now 85 year old recordings. So it's fitting that this becomes one of the first JSP vinyl releases (well, for 25 years anyway…). Superbly packaged and presented with a sleevenote by Neil Slaven.
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Few were more important to the development of pre-Robert Johnson delta blues than Tommy Johnson. His reputation rests upon six records and a few songs issued after his death. His unique singing style – with an ululating falsetto – turned speech defects to advantage,. He was born in 1896, one of thirteen children, on a plantation in Mississippi. Musically, he learned quickly and from age sixteen, when he left home, a born traveller. After two years he returned an accomplished bluesman. Musicians including Ishmon Bracey gathered round him. In February 1928 Johnson, Bracey and Rosie Mae Moore visited Memphis to record for Victor. On February 3, with Charlie McCoy on second guitar, he cut Cool Drink Of Water Blues and Big Road Blues. The forthright Big Road was a marked contrast to the reflective Drink. The records sold well. Johnson and Bracey, were called back. Another four songs were cut, including the prophetic Canned Heat Blues. (Sterno, a cooking fuel, was known as ‘canned heat’ and Johnson was addicted to it.) Later, the Mississippi Sheiks cut a version of Big Road Blues on OKeh. Victor sued. Johnson believed the settlement meant he’d sold his right to record again. He played for tips during the 1930s, often with Ishmon Bracey. He entered a decline which continued through the 1940s and into the Fifties. The end came in November 1956, after he’d played at a party for his brother LeDell’s oldest daughter. He was buried in an unmarked grave. ‘I thought a heap of Tommy and I just loved to hear him sing and play. We learned one from another.’ Rube LaceyBorn in Byram, MS in 1901. Ishmon Bracey had one hit, Saturday Blues. Bracey’s fate was to be rarely mentioned without Johnson. His fellow musicians thought better of him. Rube Lacey said ‘Ishmon was a really good musician. Ishmon had, I thought, a gift to sing…’ Towards the end of the 1930s, Bracey became an ordained minister. He was rediscovered in 1963 but refused to play blues. He died in 1970.
"Canned Heat Blues: The Legendary 1928 Memphis Sessions" is a reissued compilation of recordings by the influential blues musicians Tommy Johnson and Ishman Bracey, particularly a collection that includes Johnson's 1928 song "Canned Heat Blues". This 1928 recording is significant because of Tommy Johnson's pivotal role in developing pre-Robert Johnson Delta blues.
Credits: Guitar – Charlie McCoy (tracks: A1 to A4, B1 to B6), Ishman Bracey (tracks: B1 to B6), Tommy Johnson (tracks: A1 to A7); Mandolin – Charlie McCoy (tracks: B3 to B6); Vocals – Ishman Bracey (tracks: B1 to B6), Tommy Johnson (tracks: A1 to A7)
Tracklist:
- A1. Tommy Johnson - Cool Drink Of Water Blues
- A2. Tommy Johnson - Big Road Blues
- A3. Tommy Johnson - Bye Bye Blues
- A4. Tommy Johnson - Maggie Campbell Blues
- A5. Tommy Johnson - Canned Heat Blues
- A6. Tommy Johnson - Lonesome Home Blues
- A7. Tommy Johnson - Big Fat Mama Blues
- B1. Ishman Bracey - Saturday Blues
- B2. Ishman Bracey - Left Alone Blues
- B3. Ishman Bracey - Leavin' Town Blues
- B4. Ishman Bracey - Brown Mama Blues
- B5. Ishman Bracey - Trouble Hearted Blues
- B6. Ishman Bracey - The Four Day Blues
Tracks A1-A2 recorded February 3, 1928, in Memphis, TN.
Tracks A3-A4 recorded February 4, 1928, in Memphis, TN.
Tracks A5-A7 recorded August 31, 1928, in Memphis, TN.
Tracks B1-B2 recorded February 4, 1928, in Memphis, TN.
Tracks B3-B6 recorded August 31, 1928, in Memphis, TN.