Proto RnB: Merline Johnson

For months now, proto RnB strains of Eastern Seabord/ Piedmonte plus Bluebird Blues have eagerly been awaiting their turn. Just for being by-passed by 'the Yas-Yas girl', ms Merline Johnson.
Merline who? Er, well...obviously some Miss. femme recording late 30s in female blues-shouting style of 15 yrs prior. Must admit never 'eard of dame, much less the fact that Ma&Bessie's style was kept very much alive right up to WW2. But thru' Erika Lewis' patronship (songstress of NOLa's own Tuba Skinny- of more later) I got to know ms Merline of 'leg' & 'bama mines' fame. Surely 'leg' borders on risque toones, but de'Missus stays clear of such labelling as with lotsa un-vice songs too. Or maybe not, as for her Yas-Yas moniker?
Merline b.1912, was considerably younger than her musical parallel Memphis Minnie (b.97)- both aunties of LaVern Baker btw.
Her musical style, as illustrated here, was straightforward 20s blues- just stomped considerably up. Main stompin' perpetrator is standing bass/bull fiddle, played in dampend pizzicato way (conf. Hamfats of earlier entry) and I'm betting my bottle o'claret on that being a young Ransom Knowling paving the way for 50s small combo RnB.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHv5QPaOXss     merline/ don't you make me high(don't you feel my leg)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfZySinwIRs    merline/ sold it to the devil

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4FZa0I_PKk    merline/ 'bama mines

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffXQ6qH3gwU    tuba skinnies/ 'bama mines

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnkyjdYoZ-o   merline/ bad whiskey

As for Hamfats, I've been asked if I really play 78rpm shellac out? (some comments of mine seem to point in that direction). Answer is no, don't even own Hamfats (or any prewar artist) in 78rpm mode. Do own UK Ace of Hearts -63 Hamfats comp.LP and that's the one I spin. As for Memphis Minnie, I have the Austrian reissues of her 60s Flyright LPs and am eagerly planning to make active use of them, too.