The Mississippi Moaner Isaiah Nettles - Mississippi Moan

The Mississippi Moaner was the recording pseudonym of Isaiah Nettles, an American country blues singer and guitarist who resided in Carlisle, Mississippi, in Claiborne County as late as 1936, after which little is known about his life. On October 20, 1935, he recorded five sides for Vocation Records in Jackson, Mississippi, though only two were commercially released as the 78 rpm single "Mississippi Moan" / "It's Cold in China Blues" in 1936. The latter track is a variant of Blind Lemon Jefferson's Long Lonesome Blues, showcasing his credible vocal style and adept slide guitar technique within the raw, emotive tradition of early Mississippi Delta blues. 

Despite his obscurity, these recordings have been reissued on compilations such as Mississippi Moaners (1927-1942) and American Primitive Vol. II, two recommended albums preserving his contributions to the genre. Certainly, Mr Nettles was indeed 'THE' Mississippi Moaner which may suggest he was the only artists recording under that genre name. Nothing could be further from the truth.  Among other forgotten early Mississippi blues artists like Ishman Bracey and Sam Collins and others used the term Mississippi Moaner and Jailhouse moaner.