The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #11325   Message #138500
Posted By: Stewie
19-Nov-99 - 06:08 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: Songs about cocaine
Subject: RE: Cocaine....
Ray,

The song you are looking for is almost certainly Luke Jordan's 'Cocaine Blues' recorded in 1927 which included within it a version of 'Furniture Man'. The white bluesman from West Virginia, Dick Justice, recorded his version, based fairly closely on Jordan's, in 1929. I don't know what Bromberg did with it, but it sounds like he rearranged verses if the 'furniture' bit comes first. Dixon & Godrich give no indication that Blind Blake ever recorded a song by that title. Jordan's version may be found on Various Artists 'The Roots of Rap' Yazoo CD 2018 and the Dick Justice version is on Williamson Brothers and Curry, Frank Hutchison and Dick Justice 'Old-time Music from West Virginia' Document DOCD 8004. It's fine song. I will try to transcribe it later - it is something I have been meaning to do in any case.

Cheers, Stewie.