Label: Document Records.
Release Date: March 18, 1997.
Releases: 1997, 2000, 2005.
Recording Date: 1923 - August 21, 1928.
Recording Time: 66 minutes.
Styles: Classic Female Blues, Dixieland, Early Jazz.
Included on this CD are all of the recordings by Josie Harley (a couple forgettable numbers), Lillian Harris (six songs plus three alternate takes), Sister Harris (eight numbers), and Clara Herring (just two songs), plus a couple of previously unreleased test pressings by Alma Henderson (with backing from guitarist Lonnie Johnson and pianist DeLoise Searcy). Both Lillian Harris and Sister Harris (who is backed on "Sugar Blues" by the Original Memphis Five) are excellent, but it is Clara Herring (whose two songs hint at Bessie Smith) who is the biggest surprise; whatever happened to her? Recommended, as are all 14 CDs in this series of true rarities. - Review by Scott Yanow
Credits: Sidney Arodin - clarinet; Lovie Austin - composer; Frank Banta - piano; Dr. David Evans - liner notes; Porter Grainger - piano; Allie Hammed - piano; Josie Harley - primary artist, vocals; Lillian Harris - primary artist, vocals; Alma Henderson - performer, primary artist, vocals; Clara Herring - primary artist, vocals; Alberta Hunter - composer; Lonnie Johnson - guitar; Dick Landon - cornet; Jimmy Lytell - clarinet; Phil Napoleon - trumpet; Original New Orleans Jazz Band - ensemble; Charles Panelli - trombone; Johnny Parth - producer; Jack Roth - drums; Andy Russo - trombone; Deloise Searcy - piano; Frank Signorelli - piano; Sister Harris - primary artist; Charles Warfield - composer; Gerhard Wessely - remastering; Clarence Williams - composer.
Tracks: 1) I'm Through With You as I Can Be - Josie Harley; 2) 2 A.M. Blues - Josie Harley; 3) Four O'Clock Blues - Lillian Harris; 4) Sugar Blues - Lillian Harris; 5) Baby Won't You Please Come Home (Take 1) - Lillian Harris; 6) Baby Won't You Please Come Home (Take 3) - Lillian Harris; 7) Mama's Got the Blues (Take 1) - Lillian Harris; 8) Mama's Got the Blues (Take 3) - Lillian Harris; 9) Downhearted Blues - Lillian Harris; 10) Gulf Coast Blues (Take 4) - Lillian Harris; 11) Gulf Coast Blues (Take 5) - Lillian Harris; 12) Sugar Blues - Sister Harris; 13) Don't Mess With Me - Sister Harris; 14) The Cootie Crawl - Sister Harris; 15) You Can Have My Man If He Comes to See You, Too - Sister Harris; 16) Laughin' Cryin' Blues - Sister Harris; 17) Voo-Doo - Sister Harris; 18) Beale Street Mama - Sister Harris; 19) Don't Make a Dog Out of Me - Sister Harris; 20) Red Lips, Kiss My Blues Away - Alma Henderson; 21) Where the Wild, Wild Flowers Grow - Alma Henderson; 22) Park No More Mama Blues - Clara Herring; 23) Beating Blues - Clara Herring.