Thanks, KSS. I'll also hunt out the Oliver book. I have Oliver's 2 double LP sets on Matchbox 'Songsters and Saints: Vocal Traditions on Race Records Vols 1&2', but not the book. I didn't think to look at those. However, Vol 1 has the 1930 Memphis Jug Band recording (with MJB recording as Memphis Sheiks). Oliver's liner note does not give the info you have provided, but he mentions that it was the sort of song Pink Anderson and other black entertainers who worked the 'doctor shows' would have picked up. He notes 'He's in the Jailhouse Now' was very popular 'with its sly observations on carpetbagger politicians and friends in influential places'. He went on: 'Charlie Nickerson, sometime pianist with the Memphis Jug Band (for which Memphis Sheiks is a pseudonymn) sings it, bringing in familiar personalities. Jug bands often played for medicine shows and even for political events'.

According to Godrich and Dixon, the 1927 Jim Jackson recording in Chicago that you mentioned was not issued. However, the recording he did, also in Chicago, a few months later in January 1928 was issued as Vo 1146, backed by 'Old Dog Blue', another song that he had recorded at his first session but also unissued. Incidentally, Oliver's 'Saints and Sinners Vol 1' includes yet another recording of 'Old Dog Blue', this time for Victor, recorded a couple of weeks later in Memphis on 2 February 1928.

You give a 1922 date for Whistler's recording. G&D's earliest date for any recording sessions by Whistler (Buford Threlkeld) is 25 September 1924 - there is no separate listing under 'Threlkeld'.

Earl, what is the sound like on the Document CD? I have a couple of Frog CDs with Clifford Hayes, but they don't include 'Jailhouse'.

Cheers, Stewie.