This has been discussed a LOT on other message boards. I think the samples on that site are slowed down a bit too much, but the guitar tone on the original recordings always sounded funny to me - like a big ukulele or something.
It is an established fact that speed wasn't constant or standardized on some of the "field recording" equipment used in the 20's and 30's - just listen to those early Mississippi John Hurt tracks where the song starts in one key and ends a semitone higher. Same with a few Blind Boy Fuller recordings.
[url]http://www.soundclick.com/zakandhisunhappyguitar[/url]
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