HMR Project: History of Music & Modern Recording

Blind Lemon Jefferson

Blind Lemon Jefferson 1925

Born blind in Coutchman, Texas, on 24 September 1893, Blind Lemon Jefferson was a traveling guitarist and composer who first recorded as Deacon L.J. Bates circa December 1925 or January 1926 toward the issue of 'All I Want Is That Pure Religion' and 'I Want To Be Like Jesus In My Heart' on Paramount 12386. His initial titles as Blind Lemon Jefferson went down on 3 March 1926 as 'Got the Blues' / 'Long Lonesome Blues' on Paramount 12354 and 'Booster Blues' / 'Dry Southern Blues' on Paramount 12347. Other titles that year included 'Black Horse Blues' and 'Corinna Blues' in April on Paramount 12367.

'I Want To Be Like Jesus In My Heart' Blind Lemon Jefferson as Deacon L.J. Bates

First recording session

C Dec 1925-Jan 1926 in Chicago Matrix 11040-1 Paramount 12386

Composition: ?

'All I Want Is That Pure Religion' Blind Lemon Jefferson as Deacon L.J. Bates

First recording session

C Dec 1925-Jan 1926 in Chicago Matrix 11041-1 Paramount 12386

Composition: Traditional

'Jack O'Diamonds' Blind Lemon Jefferson (slide guitar)

C May 1926 in Chicago Matrix 2557-1 or 2 Paramount 12373

Composition: Jefferson

'Rabbit Foot Blues' Blind Lemon Jefferson (slide guitar)

C Dec 1926 in Chicago Matrix 3089-1 or 2 Paramount 12454

Composition: Jefferson

Jefferson recorded two versions of his compositions, 'Black Snake Moan' and 'Match Box Blues'. The Okeh version of those is the only plate that he issued on that label. 'Match Box Blues' is listed as one of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll. Blake also issued two versions of his composition, 'See That My Grave Is Kept Clean'.

'Black Snake Moan' Blind Lemon Jefferson

14 March 1927 in Atlanta Matrix 80523-B OKeh 8455

Composition: Jefferson

'Match Box Blues' Blind Lemon Jefferson

14 March 1927 in Atlanta Matrix 80524-B OKeh 8455

Composition: Jefferson

'Easy Rider Blues' Blind Lemon Jefferson

C April 1927 in Chicago Matrix 4423-2 Paramount 1247

"Easy Rider" = someone unfaithful or not monogamous

Composition: Jefferson

'Hot Dogs' Blind Lemon Jefferson

C June 1927 in Chicago Matrix 4578-3 Paramount 12493

"Hot Dogs" = hot feet

Composition: George Perkins

'See That My Grave Is Kept Clean' Blind Lemon Jefferson

C Feb 1928 in Chicago Matrix 20374-1 Paramount 12608

Composition: Jefferson

'Bakershop Blues' Blind Lemon Jefferson

24 Sep 1929 Gennett Studios in Richmond IN Matrix 15668 Paramount 12852

Composition: Jefferson / Alex LaMoore

'Long Distance Moan' Blind Lemon Jefferson

24 Sep 1929 Gennett Studios in Richmond IN Matrix 15670-A Paramount 12852

Composition: Jefferson / Alex LaMoore

Blake enjoyed a successful recording career with Paramount until his early death in Chicago on 19 December 1929, likely of heart attack. His last recordings had gone down on 24 September that year. Jefferson is one of numerous early blues musicians archived in Bill Wyman's documentary, 'Blues Odyssey', issued on DVD in 2003. (Wyman played bass with the Rolling Stones from 1962 into the early nineties.)

Sources & References for Blind Lemon Jefferson:

VF History (notes)

Wikipedia

Compositions: Music Brainz SHS

Recordings by Jefferson: Catalogs: 45 Worlds Discogs Hung Medien RYM

Recordings by Jefferson: Compilations:

The Complete Recordings Volume 1 (1925 - 1926) (DOCD-5017 / 1991)

The Complete Recordings Volume 2 (1927) (DOCD-5018 / 1991)

The Complete Recordings Volume 3 (1928) (DOCD-5019 / 1991)

The Complete Recordings Volume 4 1929 (DOCD-5020 / 1991)

Recordings by Jefferson: Sessions:

DAHR (1927-29)

Stefan Wirz (1926-29 / American Music)