I have a dim memory of Bob Davenport, on some radio programme or other, naming Frank Crumit's singing of this song as one of his favourite recordings. He may have been just trying to irritate the "purists" or perhaps he was just displaying impeccable taste. I recently required a CD of Frank Crumit, "Everybody's Best Friend". It has some wonderful stuff (and some rubbish) but not, unfortunately, "Down By The Canebrake".

It is strange to listen to his singing of "Frankie and Johnny" and realize that it was recorded at roughly the same time as, say, Mississippi John Hurt's "Frankie and Albert". They seem to come from different planets.