Release Date: November 21, 1995.
Recording Time: 57 minutes.
Recording Date: June 9, 1922 - October 28, 1925.
Release Info: CD, Compilation, MA7017.
One of the goals of Memphis Archives is to preserve musical heritage by making these historical recordings available. Without this concern, thousands of songs from the dawn of the recording industry would be lost forever. By purchasing this CD, you have become part of this effort to preserve our musical heritage for future generations. The utmost care has been taken to preserve the sound of the original 78 RPM recordings. Due to the limitations of early sound recording, there is a minimal amount of audible surface noise. (Memphis Archives – MA7017)
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This collector's CD has 18 selections from early classic blues singers. In addition to Bessie Smith, Mamie Smith, Clara Smith, Ida Cox, Trixie Smith, Ma Rainey and Ethel Waters, a variety of lesser-known vocalists are represented: Edith Wilson, Clementine Smith, Sara Martin, Maggie Jones, Margaret Johnson, Rosa Henderson, Lucille Hegamin, Dora Carr, Mary Stafford, Viola McCoy and Ethel Ridley. The majority of the selections were formerly rare (including Mary Stafford's "I'm Gonna Jazz My Way Straight Through Paradise") and the sidemen include Johnny Dunn, Coleman Hawkins, Charlie Green, Louis Metcalf, Tommy Ladnier, Cow Cow Davenport, Joe Smith and even Louis Armstrong, making this a CD worth picking up by 1920s collectors. ~ Scott Yanow
Credits: Producer - Richard James Hite; Assistant Producer - Keith Soltys; Executive Producer - Eddie Dattel; Engineer - Rick Caughron; Mastered By - Richard James Hite, Rick Caughron; Art Direction - Leanne Ellis; Liner Notes - James Parten.
Tracklist:
- 01. Edith Wilson - Rules And Regulations "Signed Razor Jim"
- 02. Mamie Smith - I'm Gonna Get You
- 03. Clara Smith - Thirty-First Street Blues
- 04. Bessie Smith - Sing-Sing Prison Blues
- 05. Clementine Smith - Nobody Knows What A Red-Head Mama Can Do
- 06. Sara Martin - My Man Blues
- 07. Maggie Jones - If I Lose, Let Me Lose (Mama Don't Mind)
- 08. Margaret Johnson - Nobody Knows The Way I Feel This Morning
- 09. Rosa Henderson - I've Got Somebody Now
- 10. Lucille Hegamin - Papa, Papa
- 11. Ida Cox - Kentucky Man Blues
- 12. Dora Carr - Cow Cow Blues
- 13. Mary Stafford & Her Jazz Band - I'm Gonna Jazz My Way Straight Through Paradise
- 14. Viola McCoy - I Ain't Gonna Marry, Ain't Gonna Settle Down
- 15. Ethel Ridley - Alabama Bound Blues
- 16. Trixie Smith - The World's Jazz Crazy And So Am I
- 17. Ma Rainey - Those All Night Long Blues
- 18. Ethel Waters - No Man's Mamma