Hear Robert Johnson’s “Come On in My Kitchen” in Remarkably Restored Audio, Taken from a Rare Test Pressing

robert johnson He died at just 27 years old, but some say it was the result of selling his soul to the devil at a crossroads. However, before his turn came, he managed to record 29 songs, a small number of works, but nevertheless secured artistic immortality as one of the most influential blues musicians of all time. Unfortunately, all of his recordings were made between 1936 and 1937 in less-than-ideal studio conditions for the time, and the sound quality leaves much to be desired. But now, nearly 90 years later, sound restorer Nick Derow has uploaded relatively clear digitized “test pressings” of Johnson’s songs to YouTube. For example, last month we featured one song, “Cross Road Blues,” here at Open Culture.

in video aboveHere you’ll find an equally high-quality version of “Come On In My Kitchen,” a song credited as an early display of young Johnson’s ethereal musical powers. You may notice in the title that this particular recording is labeled “Take One.” Johnson also made a very different recording. second takeHis label, Vocalion Records, released it in 1937, probably because it didn’t sound too sad and, according to record industry logic, was more likely to become a hit.

Take 1 is now considered by his aficionados to be the “real” rendition of the song, but the public didn’t hear it until 1961, when it appeared on a compilation. king of delta blues singers This had a greater effect on Johnson’s posthumous fan base than any other release.

Indeed, it’s not a stretch to imagine the first take of “Come On in My Kitchen” taking the dancehalls by storm, even though the sound quality has improved significantly since this version. king of delta blues singers. But the reason Johnson’s music has endured so long is less because of his ability to move audiences than because of his combination of understated virtuosity and an almost preternatural ability to reach truly haunting emotional territory. Like many classic singer-songwriters who died young, he always seems to remain older in some way than we, his listeners, even as we reach (and have actually passed) middle age. Occasionally, the true edge of a person’s immaturity is revealed when a never-before-heard recording or pressing is released. For Johnson, it only deepens his legend.

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Newly discovered recording brings Delta blues legend Robert Johnson to life in stunning clarity

Based in Seoul, Colin Mbemust write and broadcastIt’s about cities, languages ​​and cultures. he is the author of the newsletter books about cities books as well Home page (I won’t summarize Korea) and korean newtro. Follow him on the social network formerly known as Twitter. @Colinbemust.