That Black Snake Moan
| "That Black Snake Moan" | ||||
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| File:That Black Snake Moan.jpg | ||||
| Single by Blind Lemon Jefferson | ||||
| B-side |
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| Released | October 1926 March 1927 (re-release) | |||
| Recorded | 1926 | |||
| Genre | Country blues | |||
| Length | 3:04 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriter(s) | Blind Lemon Jefferson | |||
| Producer(s) | J. Mayo Williams | |||
| Blind Lemon Jefferson singles chronology | ||||
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"That Black Snake Moan" is a song written and recorded by American country blues musician Blind Lemon Jefferson.[1] Inspired by singer Victoria Spivey's "Black Snake Blues", the song was released on Paramount Records in 1926, and has since become recognized as a signature composition which exemplifies Jefferson's unconventional melodic style and utilization of double entendres.[1] The song was re-recorded a year later as "Black Snake Moan" for Okeh Records,[1] and both versions have remained accessible through the availability of several compilation albums.
Background
During the 1920s, Paramount Records were in-demand for customers of genuine country blues recordings. Blind Lemon Jefferson had been performing across Texas and the Mississippi Delta since 1912 and garnered a considerable following.[2] Jefferson was signed to Paramount in 1925 as a result of one of two proposed scenarios: pianist Sammy Price recommended him to the label or Paramount music director Arthur C. Laibly discovered Jefferson performing on Dallas streets.[2][3] Regardless, a talent scout recorded demos with Jefferson and the singer traveled to Chicago to record his first official sides: a pair of gospel tunes under the pseudonym Deacon L. J. Bates. Sales were strong, prompting further sessions with Jefferson in 1926.[4] "That Black Snake Moan" was first released on Paramount in October 1926.[5] Jefferson re-recorded another version of the song for Okeh Records, which was closely related to the original rendition, but also had superior sound quality.[2] This version, titled simply "Black Snake Moan", was released in March 1927 along with another well-known Jefferson tune "Matchbox Blues".[5] The composition has remained relatively accessible throughout the years, appearing on Jefferson compilation albums such as The Immortal Blind Lemon, Black Snake Moan, and King of the Blues.[6]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Giles Oakley (1997). The Devil's Music. Da Capo Press. p. 118. ISBN 978-0-306-80743-5.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Obrecht, Jas. "Black Snake Moan / Matchbox Blues" (PDF). Loc.gov. Retrieved May 10, 2016.
- ↑ Groom, Bob (1991). Blind Lemon Jefferson – Complete Recorded Works In Chronological Order: Volume 1 (1925–1926) (CD booklet). Document Records.
- ↑ Lane, Josalyn. "Blind Lemon Jefferson - Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved May 10, 2016.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Recordings by Blind Lemon Jefferson". honkingduck.com. Retrieved May 10, 2016.
- ↑ "Blind Lemon Jefferson: Discography". discogs.com. Retrieved May 10, 2016.