Carl Martin - State Street Pimp

Carl Martin was born in Virginia in 1906, and died in Michigan in 1979. His pre-war recordings are astounding; his fingerpicking on "Crow Jane" is extremely advanced and hugely entertaining to hear. The pictures are courtesy of Sunday Blues and Blues Mandolin. Lyrics from Weenie Campbell. And were it not for the folks at the "River" I probably wouldn't even have known Martin made any post-war recordings. The black and white photo of the kids does not feature Martin, but Howard "Louie Bluie" Armstrong, whom he often played with. Don't come to me runnin' telling me your bad luck news. Don't come to me runnin' telling me your bad luck news. You wouldn't act right when I had you, ther's nothing else that I can do. You took all my money gave it to your State Street pimp. You took all my money gave it to your State Street pimp. You had the nerve to tell me that I was just a small time simp. I don't need a woman that always likes to fuss and fight. I don't need a woman that always likes to fuss and fight. Goes to see her boyfriend and makes up morning, noon, and night. When I met you baby you didn't even have a dime. When I met you baby you didn't even have a dime. Told me that you loved me, you were lying all the time. Ain't no need in cryin', cryin' will not change my mind. Ain't no need in cryin', cryin' will not change my mind. What's the use of cryin', you are only wasting time. Next time when you see me driving in my Cadillac. Next time when you see me driving in my Cadillac. Remember what I told you, you can't even scratch my back.

Added 19 Jun 2026