Anthology of American Folk Music
Volume 2: Social Music, Track 36
OLD DOG BLUE
Jim Jackson 
Recorded Memphis, TN: February 2, 1928
Jim Jackson, vocal and guitar
Originally Released on Victor 21387B
(alternate titles: Old Blue; Good Old Blue)
Jim Jackson (ca. 1890-1937) was a medicine show performer, street singer, and occasional jug band musician from Hernando, Mississippi. Jackson spent his life working as an entertainer, particularly in the Memphis area, and was one of the characters to be found on Beale Street, a hustling-bustling center of music and nightlife. Jackson was in a number of jug bands, working with Gus Cannon, Will Shade, and Furry Lewis, all of whom are represented on this Anthology. He continued to be active in traveling shows and street singing throughout the 1930s after his recording career was completed. His best known song was "Kansas City Blues". "Old Blue," a song Jackson knew from his medicine show days, was played frequently in live performances by the legendary 1960s rock group The Byrds continues to be a popular group today.
FOR ADDITIONAL RECORDINGS of Jackson see the collections: Country Blues Classics (BC 5a); Complete Recorded Works (DOC 5114c); Big Road Blues (PRS OBC569c); Wild About My Lovin' (RCA 2461c); The Blues, 1920-1940 (RCA 9051a); Blues Masters, Vol. 12 (RH 71129c); St. Louis Town, 1929-1933 (YZ 1003c); and Memphis Jamboree, 1927-1936 (YZ 1021c).
FOR ADDITIONAL INFOMRATION on Jackson see Bengt Olsson, Memphis Blues and Jug Bands, (London: Studio Vista, 1970).
OTHER RECORDED VERSIONS include:
Traditional American Folk: as Old Blue: Irvin Cook (BRI 001a).
Folksong revival: as Old Blue: Jim Albertson (MMC 4002d); Joan Baez (VG 41/42 a, VG 2097c, VG 79094a); Guy Carawan (FW 3544c, JA 0021a); The Dupree Family (Kapp 1316a); Bob Gibson (FKE 1413a); Bob Gibson and Hamilton Camp (ELK 7207a); The Highwaymen (ABC-Paramount 543a); Sam Hinton (FW 7530c); Cisco Houston (FW 7027c, VG 2042a); Ian and Sylvia (VG 2113a); Burl Ives (COL 6144a); Donal Leace (Gateway 2083a); Luxon and Croffut (VG 3003c); Joan O'Bryant (FW 2134c); Odetta (OBC 565c); Tom Rush (Ly Cornu 70a); Pete Seeger (SF 45022d)); The Seeger Family (RND 8023c); The Shennandoah Trio (Dot 3641a); Dave Van Ronk (PH 1065a); The Wayfairers (RCA 2666a); as Good Old Blue: Martin Yarbrough (ARG 4043a); as Old Dog Blue: Glenn Yarbrough (RCA 3661a).
Post revival: as Old Blue: Brooks Williams (GL 2108c).
Country/String Band: as Old Blue: Grandpa Jones (RCA 0466a); Louisiana Honeydrippers (CMH 6273c); Jim Nabors (COL 2368a); T.Texas Tyler (Wrangler 1002a).
Bluegrass: as Old Blue: The Dillards (ELK 7265a, VG 131/2c).
Blues: as Old Blue: Sonny Terry (SF 40033c); Furry Lewis (FTY 24703a); John Snipes (RND 2016a).
Rock: as Old Blue: Corrine Bucey and Al Gorgoni (DEC 4550a); The Byrds (COL 9755c, COL 46939c); J.J. Cale (Virgin 41480c).
