Johndavid Bartlett - Driftin' (2025) [Hi-Res]

Johndavid was integral to the foundation of Houston’s underground scene of the mid-sixties. From a tender age his talent was encouraged by Janis Joplin, nurtured by the infamous Red Crayola, informed by the notorious 13th Floor Elevators and most incredibly taught by the master himself … Lightnin Hopkins.

Although he signed to the International Artists (IA) label in 1968 and recorded an album, the label folded before it was issued, and the recording are lost. Presented here are a selection of the earliest surviving recordings (the majority recorded between 1968 and 1971) of the songs he performed during the mid-sixties to the early seventies. Some are reworkings of material from the Lost Mother’s Milk album recorded for IA and several other will be familiar - covers 13th Floor Elevators’ compositions. The first two tracks on side 2 were recorded as wedding present to 13th Floor Elevators guitarist Stacy Sutherland. Regardless of when they were recorded, the arrangements remain faithful to the original performances.

Tracklist:
1-1 Johndavid Bartlett - Driftin [3:43]
1-2 Johndavid Bartlett - Falling Through the Universe [5:41]
1-3 Johndavid Bartlett - Slipslouch [2:00]
1-4 Johndavid Bartlett - Anniversary Song (End of the Day) [4:10]
1-5 Johndavid Bartlett - Rain [3:21]
1-6 Johndavid Bartlett - Splash One [3:07]
1-7 Johndavid Bartlett - Nobody To Love [3:14]
1-8 Johndavid Bartlett - Bunni's Song [3:40]
1-9 Johndavid Bartlett - Slide Machine [3:50]
1-10 Johndavid Bartlett - I Had To Tell You [2:22]
1-11 Johndavid Bartlett - Tree Frog Lady [2:27]
1-12 Johndavid Bartlett - City Fires [3:57]