It was my birthday yesterday and after some reflecting – I realized that it was about seven years ago that I started collecting 78 rpm records. I had just repaired an old Airline console for a friend and wanted to try the 78 rpm turntable. I went to an estate sale at a rural home about fifteen miles north and thumbed through a pile of 78s that sat unsold. In that stack I found this beat up Arthur Crudup record.
Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup was an artist I had never heard of – and after listening to this track I immediately wanted to know all about him and hear more of his music.
This one record led me down an endless rabbit hole of fascinating history and amazing music that continues to this day.
Finding this record so close to home convinced me that maybe it was possible to find other good 78s in this area. It started the obsession.
It’s in rough shape and the music is a bit distorted but it will always be a special record to me.
What was your first record?
Recorded in Chicago, Illinois on September 6, 1946.
Released as RCA Victor 20-2105.
Credits
Arthur Crudup – vocals, guitar
Ransom Knowling – bass
Judge Riley – drums
Leave a Reply