Label: Rosetta Records.
Release Date: 1982.
Releases: 1985, 1995.
Recording Date: April, 1925 - 1953.
Styles: Jump Blues, Chicago Blues, Big Band, Piano Blues.
Despite the title of this LP, many of the 16 blues and jazz singers heard here were not necessarily "big" physically but women in control of their situations, at least on these records. There is one song apiece from Ethel Waters, Edith Johnson, Viola McCoy, Hattie McDaniel (the same person as the actress), Issie Ringgold, Gussie Williams, Clara Smith, Ida Cox, Julia Lee, Susie Edwards, Martha Copeland, Martha Copeland, Ora Alexander, Rosa Henderson, Bea Foote, Billie Holiday and Ella Johnson and the majority are still quite rare. All of the Rosetta releases are worth searching for and this attractive album is no exception.
Review by Scott Yanow.
Credits: Ora Alexander - performer, primary artist; Ida Cox - performer, primary artist; Martha Copeland - performer, primary artist; Susie Edwards - performer, primary artist; Bea Foote - performer, primary artist; Rosa Henderson - performer, primary artist; Billie Holiday - performer, primary artist; Edith Johnson - performer, primary artist; Ella Johnson - performer, primary artist; Julia Lee - performer, primary artist; Viola McCoy - performer, primary artist; Hattie McDaniel - performer, primary artist; Issie Ringgold - performer, primary artist; Clara Smith - performer, primary artist; Ethel Waters - performer, primary artist; Gussie Williams - performer, primary artist.
Tracks: 1) No Man's Mama - Ethel Waters; 2) Ain't No More To Be Said - Edith Johnson; 3) Git Goin - Viola McCoy; 4) I Thought I'd Do It - Hattie McDaniel; 5) Be On Your Merry Way - Issie Ringgold; 6) Try Me Out & You Will See - Gussie Williams; 7) Papa I Don't Need You Now - Clara Smith; 8) I Can't Quit That Man - Ida Cox; 9) You Ain't Got It No More - Julia Lee; 10) You're No Count Triffin Man - Susie Edwards; 11) Second Hand Daddy - Martha Copeland; 12) Men Sure Are Deceiving - Ora Alexander; 13) Get It Fixed - Rosa Henderson; 14) I Want A Long Time Daddy - Bea Foote; 15) Now Baby Or Never - Billie Holiday; 16) Hittin On Me - Ella Johnson.