Robert Johnson
ListenKind Hearted Woman Blues · 1936
Robert Johnson — “Kind Hearted Woman Blues,” recorded in San Antonio in 1936.
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1937 · Vocalion
Kind Hearted Woman Blues / Terraplane Blues
Robert Johnson’s first record began in a makeshift studio at San Antonio’s Gunter Hotel. Issued in 1937, it paired “Kind Hearted Woman Blues” with “Terraplane Blues,” the biggest success of his brief recording career. [1] [2]
| Accession | OMMA-0000 |
|---|---|
| Artist | Robert Johnson |
| Release | 1937 · United States |
| Label | Vocalion · 03416 |
| Format | 10-inch shellac single · 78 rpm |
| Issue | Original issue · “Kind Hearted Woman Blues,” take one |
| Runouts | A: SA-2580-1 B: SA-2586-1 |
| Recorded grade | E · VG+ Vocalion sleeve |
Release history and significance
Talent scout Ernie Oertle invited Johnson to record for Vocalion. On 23 November 1936, producer Don Law recorded him in adjoining hotel rooms: the performer in one, the equipment in the other. Johnson arrived with songs and arrangements that fitted the short playing time of a 78, recording eight numbers that day. [2]
“Terraplane Blues” found listeners on jukeboxes across the South. Its success brought Johnson back to Texas for further sessions in Dallas in June 1937. The San Antonio and Dallas recordings form the small body of work on which his later influence rests. [2]
This pressing contains take one of “Kind Hearted Woman Blues,” identified by the stamped SA-2580-1 matrix. In his accompanying letter, blues-record specialist John Tefteller identifies it as the first pressing and draws attention to Johnson’s guitar solo. Tefteller also identified the take-one pressing when he catalogued this record for his 2023 Daniel Levine auction. [3] [4]
Market context
In his 23 February 2023 auction of Daniel Levine’s collection, John Tefteller offered this copy of Vocalion 03416, then graded E−, with its original sleeve at a minimum bid of US$15,000. [4]
Physical Description
Black shellac with black-and-gold Vocalion labels and an original Vocalion paper sleeve. Stamped runouts identify take one of each song.
Condition
John Tefteller’s signed letter grades the disc E, describing only slight evidence of handling. The surfaces are glossy, with little visible play wear; the bright gold label printing shows minor wear around the spindle hole. Playback is described as clear, without skips or unexpected crackle. The original Vocalion sleeve is graded VG+. [3] The earlier 2023 auction catalogue recorded a grade of E− for the disc. [4]
Provenance
Formerly in the collection of Daniel Levine. John Tefteller offered this record as lot 1 in his auction of Levine’s pre-war blues and gospel 78s, which closed on 23 February 2023. The listing identifies the take-one pressing and its original Vocalion sleeve. In his introduction, Tefteller explains that he purchased Levine’s collection after Levine’s death. [4] [5]
Tefteller’s accompanying letter traces the record’s earlier history to a collector in the Pittsburgh area who found it among leftover dealer stock in the 1960s and kept it for decades. [3]
OMMA acquired the record directly from John Tefteller on 26 June 2026, accompanied by his signed letter dated 25 June 2026. [3]
Sources
- Discogs, Robert Johnson — Kind Hearted Woman Blues / Terraplane Blues, release 4159989. Original Vocalion 03416 issue.
- Texas State Historical Association, Robert Johnson. Gunter Hotel sessions, Ernie Oertle, Don Law and the reception of “Terraplane Blues.”
- John Tefteller, signed letter, 25 June 2026. Copy-specific provenance, condition and take-one identification; retained with the accession documentation.
- John Tefteller, Daniel Levine auction highlights, 23 February 2023, lot 1. Daniel Levine collection provenance, lot description, E− auction grade and US$15,000 minimum bid.
- OMMA, provenance identification supplied 8 October 2026. Identification of the Archive’s copy with lot 1 in the Daniel Levine auction.
Catalogue text reviewed 8 October 2026.