ALABAMA JAMES DARKNESS conceived by and written with great help from Kyle McCulloch
Born sometime around 1910 in Bellamy, Alabama, James Caffey (aka Alabama James Darkness aka James Darkness) is one of the most remarkable and enigmatic figures in the Blues genre.
While tales abound of bluesmen selling their souls to the Devil in exchange for fame or musical skill, rumors of the day claimed that Darkness had met the Devil at a crossroads and, through a well-timed distraction, managed to purchase the Devil’s soul instead. Darkness himself later claimed the Devil’s soul resided his guitar case, explaining the macabre nature of his songs. While this twist certainly makes a more entertaining legend, it is often cited as a possible reason behind Darkness’ sub-par guitar playing, lifelong poverty, and general lack of success.
Sixty years before the term Goth was coined, Alabama James Darkness was experimenting with a mix of Delta Blues and startlingly modern supernatural nihilism. His morbid focus and recurring themes (as well as his trademark white face paint and blood-red lipstick) would clearly inspire and inform late-20th-century bands such as Christian Death, Joy Division, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Bauhaus and The Cure, to name a few.
AlabamaJamesDarkness blues goth
September 3, 2014
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ALABAMA JAMES DARKNESS “I’m Dead”
Alabama James Darkness conceived by and written with great help from Kyle McCulloch
Universally regarded as history’s first goth song, “I’m Dead” was written in 1929, days after Darkness finished reading Bram Stoker’s Dracula. The lyrics not only contain the earliest of Darkness’ many references to gothic literature, but feature the musician writing as the vampire himself, warning a young woman of the terrors and temptations in the night.
I’M DEAD (1929)
(3:17)
By Alabama James Darkness (James Caffey)
I’m dead I’m dead
I’m already dead
See my fangs a’growin
Soon that bloods a’flowin
I’m dead I’m dead
I’m already dead
You can’t evah kill me sir
Cuz I am a Dracula
Underneath that cryin’ moon
You will meet your master soon
I’m dead I’m dead
I’m already dead
See me rise at midnight
I prowl for prey by moonlight
I’m dead I’m dead
I’m already dead
Look into my glowin’ eyes
I will make you hypnotized
Come to me my pretty little miss
And have a taste of darkness kiss
I’m dead I’m dead
I’m already dead
Done sleepin’ in my casket
Come creepin’ if you ask it
I’m dead I’m dead
I’m already dead
Wave your ma and pa goodbye
It’s time to let your body die
You won’t never see the sun
When ol Dracula is done
I’m dead I’m dead
I’m already dead
AlabamaJamesDarkness blues bluesgoth goth mp3
September 2, 2014
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Medium.com presents “A Recipe for Awareness”
buckwheathonorbiscuits medium
August 31, 2014
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Have You Seen Your Cat?
August 30, 2014
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