Label: Document Records
Release Date: February 15, 1995
Releases: 1995, 2000, 2005
Recording Time: 65 minutes
Recording Date: May 7, 1929 - May 23, 1936
Compilation Studio Recording
Styles: Piano Blues.
Featured Artist: Mary Johnson.
The complete output of Mary Johnson is on this single CD. The wife of blues guitarist/singer Lonnie Johnson during 1925-32 (a period when she had six children!), Mary Johnson was a fine lowdown blues singer herself. She recorded 14 selections during 1929-30, two in 1932, four in 1934, and two final numbers in 1936. She was accompanied by either Henry Brown, Judson Brown, Roosevelt Sykes, or Peetie Wheetstraw on piano, and some selections add trombonist Ike Rodgers, guitarist Tampa Red, violinist Artie Mosby, or guitarist Kokomo Arnold. None of the 22 songs became hits, but they do show off Johnson's haunting voice and expressive style. Recommended to serious blues collectors.
by Scott Yanow
Personnel: Mary Johnson (vocals, accordion); Kokomo Arnold, Tampa Red (guitar); Artie Mosby (violin); Ike Rodgers (trombone); Judson Brown, Peetie Wheatstraw, Roosevelt Sykes (piano).
Liner Note Author: Chris Smith.
Audio Remasterer: Gerhard Wessely.
Recording information: Chicago, IL (05/07/1929-05/23/1936); Grafton, WI (05/07/1929-05/23/1936); Richmond, IN (05/07/1929-05/23/1936).
Credits: Kokomo Arnold - guitar; Judson Brown - piano; Mary Johnson - accordion, composer, primary artist, vocals; Artie Mosby - violin; Johnny Parth - producer; Ike Rodgers - trombone; Chris Smith - liner notes; Roosevelt Sykes - piano; Tampa Red - guitar; Gerhard Wessely - remastering; Peetie Wheatstraw - piano.
Tracks: 1) Muddy creek blues; 2) Room rent blues; 3) Black men blues; 4) Western Union blues; 5) Mean black man blues; 6) Dream daddy blues; 7) Barrel house flat blues; 8) Key to the mountain blues; 9) Three months ago blues; 10) Dawn of day blues; 11) Friendless gal blues; 12) Death cell blues; 13) Morning sun blues; 14) No good town blues; 15) Rattlesnake blues; 16) Mary Johnson blues; 17) Those black man blues; 18) Peepin` at the risin` sun; 19) Deceitful woman blues; 20) Black gal blues; 21) Delmar avenue; 22) I just can`t take it.
Credits: Kokomo Arnold - guitar; Judson Brown - piano; Mary Johnson - accordion, composer, primary artist, vocals; Artie Mosby - violin; Johnny Parth - producer; Ike Rodgers - trombone; Chris Smith - liner notes; Roosevelt Sykes - piano; Tampa Red - guitar; Gerhard Wessely - remastering; Peetie Wheatstraw - piano.
Tracks: 1) Muddy creek blues; 2) Room rent blues; 3) Black men blues; 4) Western Union blues; 5) Mean black man blues; 6) Dream daddy blues; 7) Barrel house flat blues; 8) Key to the mountain blues; 9) Three months ago blues; 10) Dawn of day blues; 11) Friendless gal blues; 12) Death cell blues; 13) Morning sun blues; 14) No good town blues; 15) Rattlesnake blues; 16) Mary Johnson blues; 17) Those black man blues; 18) Peepin` at the risin` sun; 19) Deceitful woman blues; 20) Black gal blues; 21) Delmar avenue; 22) I just can`t take it.