Blind Dog Radio

Female Blues Singers, Vol. 14, S/T/U/W/Y (1923-1932) by Various Artists

Label: Document Records.
Release Date: March 18, 1997.
Recording Time: 72 minutes.
Releases: 1997, 2000, 2005.
Recording Date: 1923 - January 18, 1932.

Styles: Classic Female Blues, Early Jazz, New Orleans Jazz, Swing.

The final volume in this 14-CD series has all of the recordings by Helen Savage, Clementine Smith, Edna Taylor, Georgia Taylor, Kitty Waters, Florence White, Gussie Williams, and Margaret Williams, plus most of the performances by Billie Wilson and Billie Young. Despite the obscurity of most of these singers, the performances are mostly of strong interest. Helen Savage is joined by the Dixie Syncopators (including clarinetist Omer Simeon) in Chicago, Clementine Smith has the assistance on some numbers of Louis Metcalf and the Kansas City Five, Edna Taylor (who only cut two songs) is backed by a duo with cornetist Tommy Ladnier, and Georgia Taylor's one recording is "Jackass Blues" with King Oliver. In addition, there is a completely unknown singer for one cut, most of the other vocalists have a solid pianist behind them, and Billie Young (who is heard on two alternate takes) is accompanied by Jelly Roll Morton. A strong ending to this fascinating reissue series. - Review by Scott Yanow

Credits: Milton Ager - composer; Hayes Alvis - double bass, tuba; Paul Barbarin - drums; William Barbee - piano; Barney Bigard - clarinet, sax (tenor); Wallace Bishop - drums; Shirley Clay - conductor, cornet; Sonny Clay - piano; Bert Cobb - tuba; Pearl Delaney - composer; Tom Delaney - composer; Al Dubin - composer; Dr. David Evans - liner notes; Sammy Fain - composer; Jake Frazier - trombone; Bob Fuller - clarinet, sax (alto); Simeon Henry - piano; Louis Hooper - piano; Clarence Johnson - piano; Kansas City Five - ensemble; Art Kassel - composer; King Oliver - cornet, ensemble; Tommy Ladnier - cornet; Louis Metcalf - conductor, cornet; Bubber Miley - conductor, cornet; Irving Mills - composer; Jelly Roll Morton - piano; Albert Nicholas - clarinet; Kid Ory - trombone; Billy Paige - clarinet, sax (alto); Jack Palmer - composer; Johnny Parth - compilation producer, producer; Luis Russell - piano; Helen Savage - primary artist, vocals; Bud Scott - banjo; Bob Shoffner - trumpet; Omer Simeon - clarinet, concert master, leader; Clementine Smith - primary artist, vocals; Elmer Snowden - banjo; Mel Stitzel - composer; Edna Taylor - primary artist; Georgia Taylor - performer, primary artist, vocals; Kitty Waters - performer, primary artist, vocals; Gerhard Wessely - remastering; Florence White - performer, primary artist, vocals; Cordy Williams - piano; Gussie Williams - performer, primary artist, vocals; Margaret Williams - performer, primary artist, vocals; Spencer Williams - composer; Billie Wilson - performer, primary artist, vocals; Jack Yellen - composer; Billie Young - performer, primary artist, vocals.

Tracks: 1) For Just A Little Love From You - Helen Savage; 2) It's Bad For Your Soul - Helen Savage; 3) Everybody Loves My Baby - Clementine Smith; 4) I'm Done Done Done With You - Clementine Smith; 5) Nobody Knows What A Red Head Mama Can Do - Clementine Smith; 6) Big Bad Bill Is Sweet William Now - Clementine Smith; 7) Nobody Knows The Way I Feel This Mornin' - Clementine Smith; 8) Jelly's Blues - Edna Taylor; 9) Good Man Blues - Edna Taylor; 10) Jackass Blues - Georgia Taylor; 11) Mama Likes To Do It - Unknown Artist; 12) Back Water Blues - Kitty Waters; 13) Rough House Blues - Kitty Waters; 14) Mean Old Bed Bug Blues - Kitty Waters; 15) Loud And Wrong - Kitty Waters; 16) Baby Dear, I Don't Want No One But You - Florence White; 17) Cold Rocks Was My Pillow - Florence White; 18) Try Me Out And You Will See - Gussie Williams; 19) It's Too Slippery - Gussie Williams; 20) Old Commandment Blues, Part 1 - Margaret Williams; 21) Empty Bed Blues, Part 1 - Billie Wilson; 22) Empty Bed Blues, Part 2 - Billie Wilson; 23) When They Get Lovin' They's Gone (Take 1 - unissued) - Billie Young; 24) You Done Played Out Blues (Take 1 - Unissued) - Billie Young.