Calvin Frazier

February 16, 1915 (age 57)

Osceola, Arkansas , United States

His early work was recorded by the Library of Congress (now preserved by the National Recording Registry) prior to the outbreak of World World War II, although his more commercial period took place between 1949 and 1956. Befriending Johnny Shines, in 1930 they jointly travelled to Helena, Arkansas where they met Robert Johnson. Here they performed hymns on local radio stations. Frazier and Johnson returned south where they played along with the drummer, James "Peck" Curtis. He played guitar as an accompanist to Big Maceo Merriweather, Sonny Boy Williamson II and Baby Boy Warren before being recorded in 1938 by the folklorist Alan Lomax for the Library of Congress. His unique style combined slide guitar work with unusual lyrics, and a vocal phrasing that was difficult to decipher. He released three singles under his own name in 1949 and 1951 on the Alben and New Song labels, including "Got Nobody To Tell My Troubles To", which he recorded in Toledo, Ohio in 1951. Calvin Frazier died in Detroit of cancer in September 1972, at the age of 57. His most notable work was "This Old World"s in a Tangle". Both the title of the first song he recorded, and of the compilation album issued by Laurie Records in 1993, which included some of his earliest work. Nine of his full length original recordings were included in the Journal of Social Policy Records 2005 compilation, Detroit Blues: Blues from the Motor City 1938–1954. In 2009, the Detroit Blues Society instigated an appeal to raise monies to mark Frazier"s previously unmarked grave with a headstone. By December that year a granite slab was in place. This Old World"s in a Tangle (1993) - Laurie.

Calvin H. Frazier

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singer

Background

Frazier was born in Osceola, Arkansas, and originally performed with his own brothers.

Career

His early work was recorded by the Library of Congress (now preserved by the National Recording Registry) prior to the outbreak of World World War II, although his more commercial period took place between 1949 and 1956. Befriending Johnny Shines, in 1930 they jointly travelled to Helena, Arkansas where they met Robert Johnson. Here they performed hymns on local radio stations.

Frazier and Johnson returned south where they played along with the drummer, James "Peck" Curtis.

He played guitar as an accompanist to Big Maceo Merriweather, Sonny Boy Williamson II and Baby Boy Warren before being recorded in 1938 by the folklorist Alan Lomax for the Library of Congress. His unique style combined slide guitar work with unusual lyrics, and a vocal phrasing that was difficult to decipher.

He released three singles under his own name in 1949 and 1951 on the Alben and New Song labels, including "Got Nobody To Tell My Troubles To", which he recorded in Toledo, Ohio in 1951. Calvin Frazier died in Detroit of cancer in September 1972, at the age of 57.

His most notable work was "This Old World"s in a Tangle".

Both the title of the first song he recorded, and of the compilation album issued by Laurie Records in 1993, which included some of his earliest work. Nine of his full length original recordings were included in the Journal of Social Policy Records 2005 compilation, Detroit Blues: Blues from the Motor City 1938–1954. In 2009, the Detroit Blues Society instigated an appeal to raise monies to mark Frazier"s previously unmarked grave with a headstone.

By December that year a granite slab was in place.

This Old World"s in a Tangle (1993) - Laurie.

Membership

Between 1951 and 1953, Frazier was a recording member of T.J. Fowler"s jump blues combo, then recorded with Warren in 1954, whilst his final sessions in the studio appear to be in 1956 backing Washboard Willie.

Connections

associate:: Robert Johnson

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Calvin H. Frazier

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