Hi all,
Skoodle Dum Doo & Sheffield recorded four titles around 1943, probably in Newark, New Jersey: "Tampa Blues", Gas Ration Blues", "Broome Street Blues" and "West Kinney Blues". For all of their titles except for "Broome Street Blues", which featured them both playing guitar, the duo played harmonica and guitar. Here are their versions of "West Kinney Blues" and "Tampa Blues":
James Lowry was recorded in Virginia in the early '50s, doing three titles, "Early Morning Blues", "Tampa Blues" and "Karo Street Blues". Here are James Lowry's versions of "Karo Street Blues" and "Tampa Blues":
It would be interesting and rare enough to see seemingly unrelated artists with such a small number of recorded titles match up on two of their titles, but when you add the fact that "West Kinney Blues" and "Karo Street Blues" are both covers of Lemon Jefferson's "One Dime Blues", and both versions are played out of A position in standard tuning despite Lemon doing his in E position in standard tuning, it makes it seem very likely that all of the artists came from the same locale or that there was some overlap of personnel on the recordings. I don't think it is the same guitarist on Skoodle Dum Doo and Sheffield's recordings and James Lowry's. Lowry's style is more complex, but less lively and slower than the style of the guitarist in the duo, but it sure seems like they must have known or heard each other. Do any of you all know anything more about the possible connection between these artists?
All best,
Johnm
Skoodle Dum Doo & Sheffield recorded four titles around 1943, probably in Newark, New Jersey: "Tampa Blues", Gas Ration Blues", "Broome Street Blues" and "West Kinney Blues". For all of their titles except for "Broome Street Blues", which featured them both playing guitar, the duo played harmonica and guitar. Here are their versions of "West Kinney Blues" and "Tampa Blues":
James Lowry was recorded in Virginia in the early '50s, doing three titles, "Early Morning Blues", "Tampa Blues" and "Karo Street Blues". Here are James Lowry's versions of "Karo Street Blues" and "Tampa Blues":
It would be interesting and rare enough to see seemingly unrelated artists with such a small number of recorded titles match up on two of their titles, but when you add the fact that "West Kinney Blues" and "Karo Street Blues" are both covers of Lemon Jefferson's "One Dime Blues", and both versions are played out of A position in standard tuning despite Lemon doing his in E position in standard tuning, it makes it seem very likely that all of the artists came from the same locale or that there was some overlap of personnel on the recordings. I don't think it is the same guitarist on Skoodle Dum Doo and Sheffield's recordings and James Lowry's. Lowry's style is more complex, but less lively and slower than the style of the guitarist in the duo, but it sure seems like they must have known or heard each other. Do any of you all know anything more about the possible connection between these artists?
All best,
Johnm