The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion / Melvins – Black Betty [Tri-Color / JSBX] (7″, US)

May 2011 Amphetamine Reptile SCALE121
A. The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Black Betty
B. Melvins – Black Betty
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion / Melvins - Black Betty [Tri-Color / JSBX] (7", US) - Cover
VIEW:
NOTES:
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion tour edition of the tri-colour 7″ split single with Melvins featuring their covers of Black Betty. This version is limited to 66 copies and has a numbered star next to the ‘Jon Spencer Blues Explosion’ text on the rear sleeve.

There are a total of 200 tri-colour 7″ singles; there were 33 Melvins tour copies, 66 The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion copies and 100 had individually printed art show sleeves (all ten variations are listed below). And 800 copies on Splatter vinyl, sold on tour (very limited number were on sale at amphetaminereptile.com).

The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion version was recorded whilst they were on tour in Australia at Linear Recording, Sydney.

A thirty second edit The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion version of the track was used in a Volkswagen advert broadcast during Super Bowl XLV on 6 February 2011 and a ‘making of’ video was posted on youtube.com.

Although the earliest known recording is by James Iron Head Baker and Group (1933) The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion version has more in common with the Leadbelly adaptation (LYRICS / RELEASE) and the most well-known rock arrangement of the song is by Ram Jam (RELEASE / LYRICS).

These recordings can be heard on youtube.com at the folllowing addresses:

James Iron Head Baker and Group: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4XFXJSQQOI
Leadbelly: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYrK464nIeY
Ram Jam: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R044sleOW6I

Different editions of the Amphetamine Reptile release are as follows:

Melvins / The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Black Betty (Plate 01) [Tri-Color] (7″, US)
Melvins / The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Black Betty (Plate 02) [Tri-Color] (7″, US)
Melvins / The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Black Betty (Plate 03) [Tri-Color] (7″, US)
Melvins / The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Black Betty (Plate 04) [Tri-Color] (7″, US)
Melvins / The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Black Betty (Plate 05) [Tri-Color] (7″, US)
Melvins / The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Black Betty (Plate 06) [Tri-Color] (7″, US)
Melvins / The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Black Betty (Plate 07) [Tri-Color] (7″, US)
Melvins / The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Black Betty (Plate 08) [Tri-Color] (7″, US)
Melvins / The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Black Betty (Plate 09) [Tri-Color] (7″, US)
Melvins / The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Black Betty (Plate 10) [Tri-Color] (7″, US)
Melvins / The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Black Betty [Tri-Color / JSBX] (7″, US)
Melvins / The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Black Betty [Tri-Color / Melvins] (7″, US)
Melvins / The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Black Betty [Splatter] (7″, US)

SONG CREDITS:
A. The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Black Betty
Writer: H. Ledbetter*
Writer: H. Ledbetter*
Published: Kensington Music Limited / Folkways Music Publishers, Inc.*
Recorded by Chris Vallejo at Linear Recording, Sydney (Jan 10, 2011)
Mixed with the Elegant Too at Man Made, NYC

B. Melvins – Black Betty
Writer: H. Ledbetter*
Published: Kensington Music Limited / Folkways Music Publishers, Inc.*

*Unconfirmed: writing/publishing credits differ between releases

SLEEVE NOTES:
n/a
DETAILS:
ARTWORK: Haze XXL

BARCODE: n/a

RUN-OUT GROOVE ENGRAVING:
A: “PIRATES PRESS – SCALE 121 A 92634H1/A”
B: “PIRATES PRESS – SCALE 121 B 92634H2/A”