John Lee Hooker - Hobo Blues / Crawlin Kingsnake Blues 78 rpm Vee-Jay VJ-331

$

90

 This auction is for John Lee Hooker “Hobo Blues” / “Crawlin Kingsnake”  a Blues 78 released by Vee-Jay Records VJ-331 .  The record is still very shiny with only very minor signs of wear.  There are a couple of longer scratches and a notable scuff or defect (image 3) mostly in the dead wax but also in playing grooves at the end of "Crawlin Kingsnake".  I've played "Crawling Kingsnake" through a few times and I do not hear any affect from the scuff or area.  Both sides play very well with little if any background noise and no skips (E to E- on VJM Grading System See Below).  Hobo Blues and Crawlin Kingsnake were originally recorded on separate records by Modern in 1948.  The two blues songs were re-recorded and released by Vee-Jay in 1959. 

According to Wikipedia John Lee Hooker (August 22, 1917 – June 21, 2001) was a highly influential American blues singer, songwriter and guitarist. Hooker was born in Mississippi, the son of a sharecropper, and rose to prominence performing his own interpretation of what was originally a unique style of country blues. He developed a 'talking blues' style that became his trademark. Though similar to the early Delta blues, his music was metrically free. John Lee Hooker could be said to embody his own genre of the blues, often incorporating the boogie-woogie piano style and a driving rhythm into his blues guitar playing and singing. His best known songs include "Boogie Chillen'" (1948), "I'm in the Mood" (1951) and "Boom Boom" (1962), the first two reaching #1 on the Billboard R&B chart.

The VJM Record Grading System.

N (78) M (LP). As new and unplayed (there are virtually no 78s that can categorically be claimed to be unplayed).

N- (78) M- (LP). Nearly Mint, but has been played. No visible signs of wear or damage.

E+ (78) VG+ (LP). Plays like new, with very, very few signs of handling, such as tiny scuffs from being slipped in and out of jackets.

E  (78) VG (LP). Still very shiny, near new looking, with no visible signs of wear, but a few inaudible scuffs and scratches.

E- (78) VG- (LP). Still shiny but without the lustre of a new record, few light scratches. 

V+ (78) G+ LP. V+ is an average condition 78 in which scuffs and general use has dulled the finish somewhat. Wear is moderate but playing is generally free from distortion. Surface noise not overly pronounced.

V (78) G (LP). Moderate, even wear throughout, but still very playable. Surface noise and scratches audible but not intrusive.

V- (78) G- (LP). Quite playable still, but distortion and heavy greying in loud passages. Music remains loud in most passages. Surface noise and scratches well below music level.

G+ (78). Grey throughout but still serviceable. Music begins to sound muffled. Heavy scratches.

G (78). Quite seriously worn and scratched, but music level is still higher than surface noise.

G- (78). Music still prominent, but wear and scatch damage extensive.

F (78). Most of music remains audible over surface noise, but listening now uncomfortable.

P (78). Unplayable.

Thanks for  your interest and please see the other 78 rpm records that I have listed….I will combine shipping.  Please email if you have any questions.