Curtis Jones - War Broke Out In Hell Reefer Hound Blues

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Review by Bilal Malik

Alright, let’s dive into this old-school blues gem, War Broke Out In Hell / Reefer Hound Blues by Curtis Jones. Released way back in 1938 on Vocalion Records, this album—or technically these two tracks—are like a time capsule from the U.S. blues scene of the era. It’s raw, gritty, and packed with that real-deal emotion only blues can deliver. No frills here, just straight-up soul. First up, “War Broke Out In Hell.” Man, this track hits you right in the gut. The lyrics are wild—like, apocalyptic wild—and Curtis Jones’ voice carries this mix of urgency and despair that feels almost prophetic for its time. You can tell he ain’t just singing; he’s living it. There’s something about the imagery of hell breaking loose that sticks with you. Like, who wouldn’t remember lines about demons fighting over scraps? It’s haunting but also kinda funny when you think about how over-the-top it is. And the guitar work? Simple yet sharp enough to cut through the noise. It’s not flashy, but it doesn’t need to be—it serves the mood perfectly. Then there’s “Reefer Hound Blues,” which, let’s be honest, grabs your attention just because of the title alone. This one’s got a swagger to it, slower and groovier than the first track. Curtis lays down some serious truth about being hooked on reefer (yep, weed) and how it messes with his mind. But instead of preaching, he makes it sound smooth and almost romanticized. The rhythm pulls you in, and before you know it, you’re nodding along even though the dude’s basically talking about losing control. It’s relatable in a weird way—like, we’ve all had those moments where life gets chaotic, and maybe a little escape sounds nice. What really stands out about both tracks is their honesty. They don’t try too hard to impress anyone. These songs feel like late-night conversations at a smoky juke joint where everyone’s got a story to tell. Curtis Jones wasn’t aiming for perfection—he was aiming for truth, and that’s why these tunes still resonate decades later. You know what’s funny? Listening to this now feels kinda ironic. Back then, people were probably scandalized by talk of war in hell or smoking reefers. Nowadays, it’s like, “Yeah, cool, been there.” Times change, but good music stays good. So if you’re into blues that feel authentic and unfiltered, give this one a spin. Just don’t blame me if you start picturing fiery battles or craving jazz cigarettes afterward.

Download Curtis Jones - War Broke Out In Hell Reefer Hound Blues
Artist: Curtis Jones
Album: War Broke Out In Hell Reefer Hound Blues

Table of Contents

Download

Filename: curtis-jones-war-broke-out-in-hell-reefer-hound-blues.zip
  • MP3 size: 10 mb
  • FLAC size: 120.6 mb

Tracks

TrackDurationPreview
Reefer Hound Blues
War Broke Out In Hell

Images

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Catalog Numbers

04520

Labels

Vocalion

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Formats

  • Shellac
  • 10"
  • 78 RPM

About Curtis Jones

American blues singer and pianist (and occasionally guitarist), born August 18, 1906 in Naples, Cass County, Texas, died of heart failure September 11, 1971 in Munich, Germany. He moved to Chicago in 1936, recorded extensively there 1937-1941 and again in 1953, and made albums for / 1960, 1962, British 1963 and 1968. From 1962 he lived and worked in various European countries (with a spell in Casablanca, Morocco, in 1965-1966).

Name Vars

  • C. Jones
  • C.Jones
  • Curry
  • Curtis
  • Curtis Jones (The Texas Wonder)
  • Jones

Interesting fact about Album

Here's something cool: Back in 1938, a blues artist named Curtis Jones released an album called *War Broke Out In Hell Reefer Hound Blues*. It was pure blues, raw and real, released on the Vocalion label in the US. The album had just two tracks—*War Broke Out In Hell* and *Reefer Hound Blues*. What’s wild is how the title track mixes gritty storytelling with the heavy vibe of the blues. You can almost feel the weight of the times in those songs.