Come On In My Kitchen’ was one of several songs from Robert Johnson’s first session in 1936 that have come to be regarded as classics, although like most of his other records, it was not a hit during his lifetime. Johnson’s plaintive plea was originally released on the American Record Corporation’s family of labels: Perfect, Oriole, Banner, Romeo, and Melotone, all with the number 7-07-57 (indicating it was released in the year 1937 (the 7), as the company’s 57th release (57) in the month of July (07); it also appeared on Vocalion 03653. However, the version that was introduced to Johnson’s latter-day blues, folk, and rock audience for the LP market was a previously unissued alternate take on the album King of the Delta Blues Singers. The original take issued for the 1937 blues market was taken at a slower tempo. It is now available on the boxed set, The Complete Recordings, and other reissues.
Robert Johnson, vocal and guitar. Recorded November 23, 1936, San Antonio, Texas. Take 2 released July 1937 on A.R.C. labels 7-07-57 and Vocalion 03653 (78 rpm). First reissued c. 1967 on a bootleg LP, Kokomo K-1000, Mississippi Delta Blues Singer. Take 1 first released on Columbia LP 1654 in 1961. Both takes released on the Columbia boxed set The Complete Recordings (LP, CD, and cassette 46222), 1990.
Discographical details of recording session are from Blues and Gospel Records 1890-1943.
–Jim O’Neal
www.stackhouse-bluesoterica.blogspot.com