Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 4 days ago
Here is a phenomenally rare shellac master "test pressing" of the unissued (on 78) take 1 of "Come On In My Kitchen" by delta blues singer and guitarist Robert Johnson, recorded in 1936. The issued take is take 2.
This test was pressed up in the 1940s from the original ARC metal parts by George Avakian, a young producer at Columbia Records (who had bought ARC in 1938). Avakian was an avid jazz and blues fan who had discovered numerous unreleased master recordings held by Columbia, including those by Robert Johnson, in the company's Bridgeport factory in 1940. He saved these from being melted down during World War II scrap drives.
ROBERT JOHNSON
Vocals accompanied by own guitar
Recorded at the Gunter Hotel, San Antonio, Texas, on November 23, 1936.
SA 2585-1…….Come On In My Kitchen…….shellac test pressing
Avakian planned to release the masters as part of his comprehensive "Hot Jazz Classics" series of 78 rpm albums, but he prioritized other reissues. The masters were eventually released in 1961, when they were dubbed to microgroove for the influential Columbia LP "Robert Johnson - King of the Delta Blues Singers", with a follow-up volume two issued in 1970.
Many thanks to Richard at Adrem78 for lending me his original test pressing of this rare delta blues recording, and allowing me to transfer, restore and upload it here. Check out Adrem78's regular 78s blues and jazz auctions on eBay.
Here is a phenomenally rare shellac master "test pressing" of the unissued (on 78) take 1 of "Come On In My Kitchen" by delta blues singer and guitarist Robert Johnson, recorded in 1936. The issued take is take 2.
This test was pressed up in the 1940s from the original ARC metal parts by George Avakian, a young producer at Columbia Records (who had bought ARC in 1938). Avakian was an avid jazz and blues fan who had discovered numerous unreleased master recordings held by Columbia, including those by Robert Johnson, in the company's Bridgeport factory in 1940. He saved these from being melted down during World War II scrap drives.
ROBERT JOHNSON
Vocals accompanied by own guitar
Recorded at the Gunter Hotel, San Antonio, Texas, on November 23, 1936.
SA 2585-1…….Come On In My Kitchen…….shellac test pressing
Avakian planned to release the masters as part of his comprehensive "Hot Jazz Classics" series of 78 rpm albums, but he prioritized other reissues. The masters were eventually released in 1961, when they were dubbed to microgroove for the influential Columbia LP "Robert Johnson - King of the Delta Blues Singers", with a follow-up volume two issued in 1970.
Many thanks to Richard at Adrem78 for lending me his original test pressing of this rare delta blues recording, and allowing me to transfer, restore and upload it here. Check out Adrem78's regular 78s blues and jazz auctions on eBay.
