Furniture Blues - Part 1 (1928)
Lonnie Johnson · Complete Recorded Works 1925-32, Vol. 4-(1928-29) [1991]
VS: Ahhh, Ahhh shucks, I ain't got no money today. [spoken words]
VS: Furniture man, please don't take my furniture away.
LJ: I got ta take it, I ain't goin' to let it stay.
VS: I'm a hard workin' woman.
LJ: Yes, but you don't seem to get much pay.
VS: Don't be so mean, give a poor girl a little time.
LJ: You done had your time, and now it is a crime.
VS: But I'm a good lovin' mama.
LJ: Yes but you ain't got a lousy dime.
VS: Furniture man, don't move my lovin' foldin' bed.
LJ: I'm goin' to move it, or lose my job instead.
VS: That's where I get my pleasure.
LJ: Oh no, that's where you rest your head.
VS: Furniture man, let me have another week to pay.
LJ: I said no, hot mama, I must have some dough today.
VS: Well, my man will bring some money.
LJ: Well, he better bring it right away.
VS: Leave my stove 'cause it's gettin' too dog gone cold.
LJ: I got to haul your ashes before they get too old.
VS: Please remove that flicker.
LJ: Then it will be red hot I'm told.
Furniture Blues - Part 1 (1928)
Lonnie Johnson's 1928 recording of 'Furniture Blues - Part 1' stands as a pivotal example of the Chicago blues tradition, showcasing his mastery of the twelve-bar structure and his distinctive, gritty vocal delivery. Released on the Complete Recorded Works 1925-32 compilation, this track exemplifies the raw energy and improvisational flair that defined the genre during the late 1920s. Johnson's ability to blend melodic phrasing with rhythmic complexity set a standard for subsequent blues artists, influencing generations of musicians who followed. The recording captures the essence of the era's urban blues, reflecting the resilience and emotional depth characteristic of the period's most significant musical contributions.