The history of Minglewood Blues is long and complex. The original Minglewood Blues, written by Noah Lewis, was recorded on January 30, 1928 in Memphis,TN by Cannons Jug Stompers featuring Gus Cannon on Banjo/Jug, Ashley Thomson on Guitar/Vocal, & Noah Lewis on Harmonica.

“New Minglewood Blues” was a complete rewrite of the song “Minglewood Blues” that Noah Lewis had previously recorded with Canon’s Jug Stompers in 1928. Eric Levy discovered a verse in a song called “It Won’t Be Long” recorded by Charley Patton in 1929 that may be a source for Noah Lewis’s “New Minglewood Blues” recorded two years later.

New Minglewood Blues was recorded by the Noah Lewis Jug Band on November 26, 1930 in Memphis. This recording includes Noah on harmonica, John Estes on guitar, Yank Rachel on mandolin and an unknown jug player. This version is very similar to New Minglewood Blues as played and recorded by the Grateful Dead. New Minglewood Blues by Noah Lewis.