Release Date: 1991
Recording Time: 78 minutes
Recording Date: August 29, 1928 - October 21, 1929
Release Info: Compilation (DOCD-5070) Studio Recording.
Styles: Acoustic Blues, Acoustic Texas Blues, Classic Female Blues, Country Blues, Pre-War Blues, Pre-War Country Blues, Regional Blues
Document's Complete Recorded Works (1928-1929) is an exhaustive overview of Bessie Tucker's known recordings, compiled from a pair of late-'20s sessions and including no less than seven alternate takes (each presented right next to the original). This reliance on exact sequencing, along with the poor fidelity and a large number of performances, are enough to make this of limited interest to casual listeners. Since this is the only Bessie Tucker collection in print, however, it's the best place to find classic recordings like "Penitentiary" and "Fryin' Pan Skillet Blues." ~ Thom Owens
Abridged from this album’s original booklet notes.
Bessie Tucker first recorded in Memphis, Tennessee on August 28, 1928. From the sole surviving picture of her, she would appear to have been a young woman at the time, slim and fine featured. To all outward appearance, here is a genteel "high yellow" indeed. However, once you hear her voice, immediately there is a marked difference from what you would have expected. A sombre, even somewhat dangerous aura comes immediately to the forefront. Moans, songs of travel, jail, fights with men, women and knowledge of the police are brought forward in a manner that could be artistry of the highest level, or otherwise mere brutal honesty - telling the stories she knew in song directly, personally, and immediately. If you listen with the latter assumptions, this initial session has a slice of life quality seldom equalled in the blues. Bessie Tucker was never found by researchers, either. Paul Oliver came closest when he interviewed Whistlin' Alex Moore in 1960. Asking about Bessie Tucker and Ida May Mack, Oliver's response from Moore was "They're tough cookies, don't mess with them." So perhaps they were still alive in Dallas as late as 1960, but thirty years later no further information has been found. However, at long last we do have Bessie Tucker's legacy gathered together in one spot, and that is perhaps as it should be. Now she can be enjoyed and remembered at the height of her considerable talents. ~ Roger Misiewicz (1991 Document Records)
Personnel: Bessie Tucker, vocals; accompanied by K. D. (Mr. 49) Johnson, piano. Bessie Tucker, vocals; accompanied by K. D. Johnson, piano / presumably vocals on 13, 14; Jesse “Babyface” Thomas, guitar / presumably vocals on 13, 14; unknown, brass bass on 13, 14, 15, 16. Bessie Tucker, vocals; accompanied by K. D. Johnson, piano; Jesse Thomas, guitar.
Credits: K.D. Johnson - guest artist, piano, vocals; Roger Misiewicz - liner notes; Johnny Parth - compilation producer; Jesse Babyface Thomas - guitar, vocals; Bessie Tucker - composer, primary artist, vocals.
Tracklist:
01. Bessie's Moan - Bessie Tucker
02. The Dummy - Bessie Tucker
03. Fort Worth And Denver Blues (Take 1) - Bessie Tucker
04. Fort Worth And Denver Blues (Take 2) - Bessie Tucker
05. Penitentiary (Take 1) - Bessie Tucker
06. Penitentiary (Take 2) - Bessie Tucker
07. Fryin' Pan Skillet Blues (Take 1) - Bessie Tucker
08. Fryin' Pan Skillet Blues (Take 2) - Bessie Tucker
09. My Man Has Quit Me - Bessie Tucker
10. Got Cut All To Pieces (Take 1) - Bessie Tucker
11. Got Cut All To Pieces (Take 2) - Bessie Tucker
12. Black Name Moan - Bessie Tucker
13. Better Boot That Thing (Take 1) - Bessie Tucker
14. Better Boot That Thing (Take 2) - Bessie Tucker
15. Katy Blues (Take 1) - Bessie Tucker
16. Katy Blues (Take 2) - Bessie Tucker
17. Mean Old Jack Stropper Blues (Take 1) - Bessie Tucker
18. Mean Old Jack Stropper Blues (Take 2) - Bessie Tucker
19. Old Black Mary - Bessie Tucker
20. Key To The Bushes Blues - Bessie Tucker
21. Bogy Man Blues - Bessie Tucker
22. Mean Old Master Blues - Bessie Tucker
23. Whistling Woman Blues - Bessie Tucker
24. T.B. Moan - Bessie Tucker