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SDVB:
I have numerous Tommy Johnson tracks spread over many CDs, including complete collections such as Document, Revenant, JSP and Catfish, as well as compilation CDs with one or two tracks. Recently I have been trying to compile a playlist comprising for each title the track with the best sound quality in my collection. I know there is a continuous debate about how much processing is optimum, with some complaining that the remastering as removed too much music as well as clicks, whilst others complain that the scratches and pops make the music almost unlistenable. I would be very interested to hear suggestions as to the definitive Tommy Johnson playlist.

Whilst attempting the above, I have become very confused over TJ's recordings of Lonesome Home Blues. I realise that the track released on Paramount is different to the two unissued takes recorded for Victor. With regard to the Victor recordings, I have found several recordings in my collection for Take 1, but only one for Take 2 on Document.
I would appreciate being pointed towards the best sound quality recordings for the 3 versions of this title.

jpeters609:
I think a number of us have probably attempted the same thing. As far as the Victor recordings of "Lonesome Home Blues" (takes 1 and 2), the best versions to my ears can be found on "Memphis Blues Singers, Vol. 2" on the Frog label out of the UK (Frog DGF22). These were remastered by the late and legendary John R.T. Davies, presumably from original sources (whatever those might be) and not simply taken from existing remasters.

That CD also includes "Canned Heat Blues" and "Big Fat Mama Blues" in equally fine quality, and Vol. 1 includes "Cool Drink of Water Blues," "Big Road Blues," "Bye Bye Blues," and "Maggie Campbell Blues." Both CDs also have the Victor recordings of Ishman Bracy, Furry Lewis, Robert Wilkins, Frank Stokes, and Rosie Mae Moore.

You really can't go wrong with John R.T. Davies remasters.

The two "Lonesome Home" tracks are also found on Frog's "Memphis Rounder Blues" (Frog DGF80), presumably from the same John R.T. Davies remasters.

Blues Vintage:
Don't forget the "Blues Images" series by John Tefteller.
A handful of Tommy Johnson songs are published there.
"Lonesome Home Blues" is one of them on volume 8.

banjochris:
My own very unscientific playlist compiled from what I have:

Cool Drink Of Water Blues – When the Sun Goes Down (Vol. 1)
Big Road Blues – The Best There Ever Was (Yazoo)
Bye Bye Blues – Jackson Blues (Yazoo)
Maggie Campbell Blues – Masters of the Delta Blues/Friends of Charlie Patton (Yazoo)
Canned Heat Blues – My Rough And Rowdy Ways: Early American Rural Music. Badman Ballads And Hellraising Songs, Vol. 1 (Yazoo) also Masters of Delta Blues
Lonesome Home Blues (Take 1, Unissued Test) – Memphis Rounders Blues (Frog)
Lonesome Home Blues (Take 2) – Memphis Rounders Blues (Frog)
Big Fat Mamma Blues – Masters of the Delta Blues/Friends of Charlie Patton (Yazoo)
I Wonder To Myself – Blues Images - Vol. 15 - 2018
Slidin' Delta – The Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of (Yazoo) (staticky but gets the most sound out of it)
Lonesome Home Blues – The Return Of The Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of (Yazoo) (staticky but a lot of sound)
Untitled Song - Take 1 (Boogaloosa Woman Blues) – Masters Of The Delta Blues, The Friends Of Charlie Patton (Yazoo)
Walking Shoes (Button Up Shoes) (Morning Prayer Blues) – Times Ain't Like They Used To Be Vol. 4 (Yazoo)
Black Mare Blues (Take 1) – Document (only place I have it)
Black Mare Blues (Take 2) – Jackson Blues (Yazoo)
Ridin' Horse – Blues Images 2014 (still very staticky)
Alcohol And Jake Blues – Blues Images 2014
I Want Someone To Love Me – Times Ain't Like They Used To Be - Vol. 8 (Yazoo)

SDVB:
Hi, I am still trying to compile my dream Tommy Johnson collections, including the best remasters of all his output. I have several questions for the experts who inhabit this forum.

1. Is the version of Lonesome Home Blues on "The Return of the Stuff that Dreams are Made Of" one of the Victor recordings (45463) or the Paramount recording (L-230-2)

2. Where can the best remasters of the two takes of Black Mare be found. I have one on Yahoo's Jackson Blues 1007 CD, but I am not sure whether that is take 1 or take 2.

3. I am confused by the two Morning Prayer and Boogaloosa Woman takes, which one is the Button Up Shoes on "Masters of the Delta Blues"?

4. Finally, how many takes were there of "I Want Someone To Love Me"? If there were 2 takes, which one is on the Blues Images 101 CD?

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