Blind Dog Radio

Female Blues Singers, Vol. 4, C (1921-1930) by Various Artists

Label: Document Records.
Release Date: March 18, 1997.
Releases: 1997, 2005.
Recording Time: 70 minutes.
Recording Date: 1921 - 1930.

Styles: Classic Female Blues, Early Jazz.

Seven long-forgotten classic blues singers are featured on this CD, which has their total output. Alice Leslie Carter is heard on 11 dated but often charming performances from 1921, in which she is backed by a combo led by pianist James P. Johnson, including the debut vocal recording of "Aunt Hagar's Children Blues." Josephine Carter fares OK on four numbers, while Margaret Carter's two numbers in 1926 ("I Want Plenty Grease in My Frying Pan" and "Come Get Me, Papa, Before I Faint") are excellent, making one wish that she had recorded again. Alta Cates' lone title (the ironically titled "Never Again") is forgettable while Juanita Stinette Chappelle's only solo side (she normally recorded as a team with her husband) is fine. Finishing off this set are two numbers apiece from Alice Clinton (who is probably actress Nina Mae McKinney under a pseudonym) in 1928 and the fine lowdown blues singer Anna Belle Coleman, who would have been considered out-of-date in 1930. - Review by Scott Yanow

Credits: Larry Briers - piano; Alice Leslie Carter - performer, primary artist, vocals; Margaruet Love Carter - primary artist, vocals; Alta Cates - performer, primary artist, vocals; Juanita Stinette Chappelle - primary artist, vocals; Buddy Christian - banjo; Buddy Christian's Creole Five - banjo; June Clark - cornet; Alice Clinton - performer, primary artist, vocals; Anna Belle Coleman - performer, primary artist, vocals; Dr. David Evans - liner notes; Bob Fuller - clarinet, sax (alto); Nathan Glantz - sax (alto); Bill Hegamin - piano; Louis Hooper - piano; Charlie Irvis - trombone; James P. Johnson & His Orchestra - piano; J.C. Johnson - composer, piano; James P. Johnson - piano; Jules Levy - cornet; Johnny Parth - producer; Andy Razaf - composer; Joseph Samuels - violin; Tampa Blue Jazz Band - ensemble; Gerhard Wessely - remastering.

Tracks: 1) Dangerous Blues - Alice Leslie Carter; 2) I Want Some Lovin' Blues - Alice Leslie Carter; 3) The Also Ran Blues - Alice Leslie Carter; 4) Cry Baby Blues - Alice Leslie Carter; 5) You'll Think of Me Blues - Alice Leslie Carter; 6) Aunt Hagar's Children Blues - Alice Leslie Carter; 7) Down Home Blues - Alice Leslie Carter; 8) Heartbroken Blues - Alice Leslie Carter; 9) I Want My Daddy Now - Alice Leslie Carter; 10) Decatur Street Blues - Alice Leslie Carter; 11) Got to Have My Daddy Blues - Alice Leslie Carter; 12) The Darned Blues; 13) The Jim Jam Blues; 14) When I Go Your Good Thing's Going Too; 15) Once I Did; 16) I Want Plenty Grease in My Frying Pan - Margaruet Love Carter; 17) Come Get Me, Papa, Before I Faint - Margaruet Love Carter; 18) Never Again - Alta Cates; 19) Pacific Coast Blues - Juanita Stinette Chappelle; 20) Do What You Did Last Night - Alice Clinton; 21) (Since You've Been Gone) There's Been Some Changes Made - Alice Clinton; 22) Unkind Blues - Anna Belle Coleman; 23) Kingfish Blues - Anna Belle Coleman.