James “Kokomo” Arnold was a blues singer, songwriter and left–handed slide guitarist from Georgia, who eventually ended up in Chicago where he ran a bootlegging business during the prohibition years of the 1920s. After making a record in Memphis in 1930 under the name of Gitfiddle Jim, he started playing professionally in Chicago when prohibition came to an end in 1933, and began recording for Decca after being introduced to producer Mayo Williams. He recorded regularly in Chicago from 1934 to 1937, sometimes working with pianist Peetie Wheatstraw, and wrote and recorded many songs which proved highly influential in later years.

This 49-track collection comprises selected A and B sides of the 40 or so solo releases he had during his career, which we trust provides a substantial and representative cross-section of his career output, before he became disillusioned and simply gave up performing and recording when he realised how little he was making from his work. It features his most influential songs, including “Original Kokomo Blues”, the song which gave him his name, and which Robert Johnson adapted as “Sweet Home Chicago”, “Millk Cow Blues”, which Johnson also adapted as “Milkcow Calf’s Blues” and was later recorded by Elvis Presley,, “Sagefield Woman Blues”, which introduced the phrase “dust my broom” into blues parlance, and “Sissy Man Blues”. It’s a fascinating showcase for an artist who had a significant influence during his short career as a recording artist.

REVIEWS

One of he most frenetic of 1930s blues artists, with a tendency to charge headlong through a song, as if he's being chased by a jealous husband, Kokomo Arnold is also one of the most unmistakeable. His fast, busy guitar playing matches strident vocals, which often lapses into humming, buzzing and other noises. Arnold is one of those artists who, if he had only recorded a dozen sides before disappearing, would probably have been revered by blues collectors. A long(ish) and very prolific career probably took the edge off his reputation a bit. This release is packed with terrific performances by one of the most individual blues artists of his day. - Ray Templeton (Blues & Rhythm February 2021)