Post Description

A fascinating compilation exploring the interaction between the Urban, Vaudeville Blues and Country Blues performers.

This music used to be called 'Classic Blues', it's the music of Bessie Smith and Ma Rainey and dozens of other women singers of the 1920's. But there was amazing interaction between the Urban and Rural, sophisticated and raw. This 4 Cd set explores this in depth. Compiled by Max Haymes it's an expert's take on the amazing burst of creativity of the 1920's blues scene in all its rich glory and vast musical spectrum.
Great original recordings. One hundred and three tracks of the familiar and the obscure. Great listening.

CD # 1 highlights include: “I Want Plenty Grease In My Frying Pan”-Margaret Carter, “Who’ll Chop Your Suey (When I’m Gone)”-Margaret Johnson, “You’ve Got To Save That Thing”-Ora Alexander and “My Gals’ Done Quit Me”-Luke Jordan.

Other artists on CD #1: Mamie Smith, Buddy Boy Hawkins, Ora Brown, Ethel Ridley, Jed Davenport & His Beale Street Jug Band, Big Bill Broonzy w/Memphis Slim, Lucille Bogan, Alberta Hunter, Charley Patton, Viola McCoy, Bessie Smith, Charlie Manson, Robert Johnson, Ida May Mack, Luella Miller and Willie Brown.

CD #2 highlights include: “Broke Down Engine Blues”-Blind Willie McTell, “I’m All Out And Down”-Leadbelly, “For Sale (Hannah Johnson’s Jack Ass)”-Clara Smith and “Strut Miss Lizzie”-Mary Stafford & Her Jazz Band.

Other artists on CD #2: Flo Bert, Julia Moody, Robert Wilkins, The Original Memphis Five w/Anna Meyers, Mississippi John Hurt, Bert Williams, Martha Copeland, Fanny May Goosby, Leona Williams, Tampa Red, Texas Alexander, Mamie Smith w/Harlem Trio, Clara Smith, Edna Winston, Bertha “Chippie” Hill, Charley Lincoln, Ma Rainey & Her Georgia Jazz Band and Whistler & His Jug Band.

CD #3 highlights include: “Spread Yo’ Stuff”-Five Jazz Bell Hops w/Daisy Martin, “Eagle Rock Me Papa”-Clarence Williams’ Blue Five w/Sara Martin, “M & O Blues No.3 (My Baby Called The Police)”-Walter Davis and “A Woman Gets Tired Of One Man All The Time”-George Williams.

Other artists on CD #3: Papa Charlie Jackson, Clara Smith, Kokomo Arnold, Furry Lewis, Virginia Liston, Jazz Masters w/Essie Whitman, Henry Thomas, Ishmon Bracey, Memphis Jug Band, Edna Hicks, Sleepy John Estes, Monette Moore, Hound Dog Henry, Charley Patton, Ma Rainey & Her Georgia Jazz Band, Stovepipe No.1, Ida Cox w/Lovie Austin & Her Blues Serenaders and Robert Johnson.

CD # 4 highlights include: “Find Me At The Greasy Spoon (If You Miss Me Here)”-Coot Grant w/Fletcher Henderson Orchestra, “Bow Legged Papa”-Butterbeans & Susie, “He May Be Your Man (But He Comes To See Me Sometimes)”-Lucille Hegamin & Her Blue Flame Syncopaters and “Twistin’ Your Stuff”-Barbecue Bob.

Other artists on CD #4: Joe “Jackson Joe” Williams, Bessie Tucker, Esther Bigeou, Mary H.Bradford, Papa Harvey Hull, Grant & Wilson, Blind Willie McTell, Ida Cox w/Lovie Austin’s Serenaders,  Will Bennett, Martha Copeland, Viola McCoy, Sam Collins, Edna Hicks, Alberta Hunter, Trixie Smith, Memphis Jug Band, Rosa Henderson and Clifford Gibson.