Sundown Blues (1929)
Lonnie Johnson · Complete Recorded Works 1925-32, Vol. 5-(1929-30) [1991]
Oh, that's the time my baby left this town.
And I get the blues when that evenin' sun goes down.
She is the meanest gal for miles aroun'.
She made me love her then she called me down.
I feel so bad when that evening sun goes down.
Now my friends scold me, with an awful frown.
Since my baby left me broke in this lonesome town,
I cry and I cry when that evenin' sun goes down.
My friends all scared and they cannot be found
'Cause my gal done quit me, and she have left this town.
Oh, how it grieves me when that evenin' sun goes down.
Straight for the madhouse I'm surely boun'.
Thinkin' 'bout the gal who left this town.
How I feel desperate when that evenin' sun goes down.
When the sheriff 's are spreading dreary all around,
From afar I yell a dreadful sound.
My soul just weeps, when that evenin' sun goes down.
About Sundown Blues (1929)
Lonnie Johnson's "Sundown Blues" stands as a quintessential example of the Chicago blues style that emerged in the late 1920s. Recorded in 1929, this track showcases Johnson's signature ability to blend vocal storytelling with a driving, rhythmic guitar foundation. The song captures the weary yet resilient spirit of the era, reflecting the urban blues tradition where personal struggle and the passage of time are central themes. Released on a compilation of his complete recorded works, the recording highlights the raw energy and improvisational flair characteristic of Johnson's career. It serves as a vital document of early electric blues, influencing generations of musicians who followed. The song's enduring appeal lies in its authentic delivery, offering listeners a direct connection to the musical landscape of the 1920s and 30s without relying on modern production techniques.