Mattie Delaney

Mattie Delaney (ca. 1905 – unknown) was an obscure blueswoman of the 1930s who accompanied herself on guitar and sang topical songs, both rare attributes for a woman performer at that time. She was active in the 1930s with only two known recordings: "Down the Big Road Blues," and "Tallahatchie River Blues.

Mattie Delaney was probably born Mattie Doyle south of Tchula, Mississippi. Around 1927 she may have moved to Memphis, Tennessee. Contemporary witnesses remember seeing her perform at Swan Lake, Mississippi. She recorded two songs for the Vocalion Records label in February 1930. Her song "Down The Big Road Blues" was a variant of Tommy Johnson's "Big Road Blues". One music journalist noted "Delaney issuing a matter-of-fact report in "Tallahatchie River Blues". She was unusual for a female performer of the time, in that she played guitar accompaniment and sang topical songs. Nothing is known of her life after the recordings. 

Two of Delaney's songs were featured on the Mississippi Girls (1928-1931) compilation album, issued in September 1991.

Discography: "Down The Big Road Blues" (MEM-785- ); "Tallahatchie River Blues" (MEM-786- ); rec. February 21, 1930 in Memphis, TN; Mattie Delaney, voc, g. (Vocalion 1480).