Rare REFERENCE Test ROBERT JOHNSON Traveling Riverside Blues (take 2) 78 rpm
  $   577

 


$ 577 Sold For
Nov 25, 2018 Sold Date
Nov 15, 2018 Start Date
$   500 Start price
3   Number Of Bids
  USA Country Of Seller
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Description

Offered is a vinyl test pressing of Robert Johnson's "Traveling Riverside Blues" (take 2). Matrix (DAL 400-2) is stamped in dead wax, and "Traveling Riverside" and "Dal-400 2P" are etched outside the run-in groove .


According to a 2006 release from the Library of Congress, these test pressings were created for Columbia producer Frank Diggs in the late 50s or very early 60s as they were considering releasing some of their back catalog blues recordings. From these recordings Diggs produced the Robert Johnson reissue LP "King of the Delta Blues" in 1961. Shortly after these pressings were made, Columbia and most other record companies abandoned this older stamper equipment, thus halting the production of these test pressings, making them extremely scarce.


This track was recorded Sunday, June 20, 1937 in Dallas. A different take was issued on the 1961 LP. This take was never issued on 78, and was not included on the two LPs in 1961 and 1970. It was first issued in 1998.


This record was acquired from the collection of Steve LaVere. LaVere was a somewhat controversial and legendary figure in the history of American blues music. He was involved in some of the early efforts in the 1960s by the Imperial label to gather historical blues compilations, and he was a key figure in helping the family of blues legend Robert Johnson establish claim to his publishing rights, a process steeped in public and professional contention, to say the least. Along the way, Steve also amassed a large collection of rare and obscure blues records. This is one of several Robert Johnson test pressings purchased from his collection.


This vinyl test pressing grades E-, vinyl is still pretty glossy but has some scuffs and hairlines. There is also a very small edge crack (1/8") that is not anywhere close to the run in groove, and a chip that is also far from the playing surface. See pics. There is some intermittent light distortion/noise on playback.


There is a quick snippet of guitar (no vocal) in the run-in groove, prior to the proper run-in groove.




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