Complete Recorded Works, Vol. 2 (May 1925 - June 1926 feat. Gladys Bentley 1928-1929) by Maggie Jones
Label: Document Records
Release Date: August 1, 1995
Releases: 1995, 2000, 2005
Recording Date: May 5, 1925 - March 26, 1929
Recording Time: 72 minutes
Styles: Classic Female Blues.
Two different blues-oriented vaudeville singers are featured on this CD, which is the follow-up to Maggie Jones, Vol. 1. Jones had a strong voice and is heard on the first 16 selections, backed by some Fletcher Henderson sidemen (including cornetist Joe Smith), the St. Louis Rhythm Kings, clarinetist Bob Fuller, trumpeter Louis Metcalf, and pianist Clarence Williams, among others. In addition, this CD has all eight recordings by singer-pianist Gladys Bentley, a male impersonator whose style is a bit of an acquired taste; guitarist Eddie Lang is fortunately on four of the numbers. This well-done release is not essential but has its moments of interest.
by Scott Yanow
Credits: Buster Bailey - clarinet; Gladys Bentley - composer, primary artist, vocals; Mickey Bloom - trumpet; Harold Cooper - conductor, cornet; Charlie Dixon - banjo; Jake Frazier - trombone; Bob Fuller - clarinet, sax (alto); Charlie Green - trombone; Fletcher Henderson - piano; Louis Hooper - piano; Cliff Jackson - piano; Cliff Jackson & His Crazy Cats - piano; Maggie Jones - primary artist, vocals; Eddie Lang - guitar; Louis Metcalf - clarinet, conductor, cornet; Johnny Parth - producer; Pete Pellezzi - trombone; Andy Razaf - composer; Joe "Fox" Smith - conductor; Elmer Snowden - banjo, sax (alto); Gerhard Wessely - remastering; John Wilby - liner notes; Clarence Williams - piano.
Tracks: 1) Cheatin' on Me; 2) Mamma (Won't You Come and Ma-Ma Me); 3) He's Just a Horn-Tootin' Fool; 4) Go Get 'Em Caroline; 5) Dallas Blues; 6) South Street Blues; 7) Never Drive a Beggar from Your Door; 8) I'm a Black Bitin' Mama; 9) Single Woman's Blues; 10) Never Tell a Woman Friend; 11) The Man I Love Is Oh So Good; 12) I'm Leaving You; 13) I'm a Real Kind Mama; 14) You Ain't Gonna Feed in My Pasture Now; 15) Mama Stayed Out the Whole Night Long (But Mama Didn't Do No Wrong); 16) He Belongs to Me; 17) Ground Hog Blues (feat. Gladys Bentley); 18) Worried Blues (feat. Gladys Bentley); 19) How Long-How Long Blues (feat. Gladys Bentley); 20) Moanful Wailin' Blues (feat. Gladys Bentley); 21) Wild Geese Blues (feat. Gladys Bentley); 22) How Much Can I Stand? (feat. Gladys Bentley); 23) Big Gorilla Man (feat. Gladys Bentley); 24) Red Beans and Rice (feat. Gladys Bentley).