Release Date: 1991.
Recording Time: 71 minutes.
Recording Date: October 24, 1931 - March 23, 1934.
Release Info: Compilation (DOCD-5077) Studio Recording.
Abridged from this album's original booklet notes.
This fifth volume of Tampa Red‘s early recordings marks two important events in his career: the splitting up of his duo with Georgia Tom, and the end of his Vocalion recordings. The album starts as a continuation of his earlier recordings, featuring hokum songs and down home blues. Don't Leave Me Here can be heard in two versions, the first being recorded in Chicago in October 1931 and the second recorded in February 1932 in New York! On the May 7,1932 session, Tampa Red is solo again, and he plays two wonderfully relaxed blues. Then there is a gap of almost two years, probably caused by the Depression, as it happened to so many other blues and jazz artists. When the gap was over, things had changed. In March 1934, Tampa Red had a new partner, pianist Black Bob. This first session for Bluebird, this new “race” label of the RCA Victor company, also featured one of his greatest guitar solos, Kingfish Blues. Then the next day, there was one last session for Vocalion, again with Black Bob. There wasn't a duo any more, just a singer/guitarist with piano accompaniment. The last Vocalion session is remarkable for two reasons: First, there is Tampa's Black Angel Blues, the first of so many versions of the song. In the course of the following years, it has become somewhat of a classic of modern Chicago Blues, and artists like Robert Nighthawk, Earl Hooker and B. B. King had or have it in their repertoire. This also shows another aspect of Tampa's creativity: that of a prolific songwriter. Many more of these classic tunes were to follow. And then there is Denver Blues, another wonderful guitar solo, Tampa's good-bye present to Vocalion. ~ Teddy Doering (1991 Document Records)
Credits:
Compilation Producer - Johnny Parth;
Guitar - Tampa Red;
Kazoo (Occasionally) - Tampa Red (tracks: 11 to 17);
Liner Notes - Teddy Doering;
Piano - Black Bob (tracks: 11 to 21), Georgia Tom (tracks: 1 to 8);
Remastered By (Uncredited) - Hans Klement;
Vocals - Georgia Tom (tracks: 3, 6), Tampa Red (tracks: 1 to 21).
Personnel: Tampa Red "The Guitar Wizard", vocals / guitar; Georgia Tom (Thomas A. Dorsey), piano. Tampa Red, vocals / guitar; Georgia Tom, piano / vocals on 3, and 6. Tampa Red "The Guitar Wizard", vocals / guitar. Tampa Red, vocals / guitar / kazoo (occasionally); Black Bob, piano. Tampa Red, vocals / guitar; Black Bob, piano. Tampa Red, guitar solo.
Tracklist:
01. Mama Don't Leave Me Here - Tampa Red "The Guitar Wizard"
02. Please Mister Blues - Tampa Red "The Guitar Wizard"
03. No Matter How She Done It - Tampa Red
04. Reckless Man Blues - Tampa Red
05. Don't Leave Me Here - Tampa Red
06. Dead Cats On The Line - Tampa Red
07. You Can't Get That Stuff No More - Tampa Red
08. Things 'Bout Coming My Way No. 2 - Tampa Red
09. Turpentine Blues - Tampa Red "The Guitar Wizard"
10. Western Bound Blues - Tampa Red "The Guitar Wizard"
11. I'll Kill Your Soul - Tampa Red
12. If I Let You Get Away With It - Tampa Red
13. I'll Find My Way - Tampa Red
14. You've Got To Do Better - Tampa Red
15. Kingfish Blues - Tampa Red
16. You Don't Want Me Blues - Tampa Red
17. Nobody's Sweetheart Now - Tampa Red
18. That Stuff Is Here - Tampa Red
19. Sugar Mama Blues No. 1 - Tampa Red
20. Sugar Mama Blues No. 2 - Tampa Red
21. Black Angel Blues - Tampa Red
22. Things 'Bout Coming My Way - Tampa Red
23. Denver Blues - Tampa Red
Recorded in Chicago, 24 October 1931 (tracks 1, 2), 7 May 1932 (tracks 9, 10), 22 March 1934 (tracks 11 to 17), 23 March 1934 (tracks 18 to 21), and 23 March 1934 (tracks 22, 23).
Recorded in New York City, 3 February 1932 (tracks 3 to 5), and 4 February 1932 (tracks 6 to 8).