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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZJOHNSON, Tommy(b c1896, Terry MS; d 1 Nov. '56, Crystal Springs MS) Blues singer, guitarist: made only a handful of records, but was among the most influential of all. His brothers were musicians; he learned some guitar from brother Ledell (who said years later that Tommy acquired his final polish by selling himself to the devil: the interview in Living Blues is quoted by Julio Finn; see Robert Johnson). He often worked outside music as a farmer; hoboed through the South, worked jukes, parties, picnics, the streets, often with Ishman Bracey (b 9 Jan. '01, Byram MS; d 12 Feb. '70, Jackson MS). Recorded for Victor in Memphis '28, Paramount in Grafton WI '30, 15 sides altogether, solo except for fine second guitar by Charlie McCoy (b 26 May '09, Raymond MS; d 28 Jan. '50, Chicago) on the first four sides, a kazoo on one Paramount side, New Orleans Nehi Boys (clarinet and piano) on the last. Bracey recorded at almost exactly the same dates, times and places. 'Canned Heat Blues' gave the '60s blues band their name; his 'Cool Drink Of Water Blues' begins with the famous line 'I asked her for water/She gave me gasoline'. The surreal, other-worldly quality of his diction and his guitar playing place his among the most spine-tingling Mississippi Delta blues. Compilations have been issued on Roots, Historical, Bluebird, other labels; book Tommy Johnson by David Evans '71 published in Studio Vista series edited by Paul Oliver. dc10 |