Merline Johnson had a long career recording over 90 songs under various names. This recording was under the title “The Yas Yas Girl” and was her last recording session in the pre-war era. And it was a great session, recording for Okeh, she was able to expand her style both thematically and musically. This track 2 by 4 blues is a great warning blues song, a warning to all those women trying to steal her man, it’s great to imagine this skinny black girl holding up a 2×4(that just fits her hand) and threating to kill all these women who are trying to step to her man. The man doesn’t get off easy either, her 2×4 has a lot of work in front of it.

Merline Johnson - Two By Four Blues

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