Black Bottom

by Ma Rainey

Overview

Appointed "Mother of the Blues" during her '20s heyday, singer Ma Rainey was one of the best of the many classic female blues singers of the period. An inspiration to the "Empress of the Blues," Bessie Smith, Rainey was a Georgia native who was discovered in Chicago during the early '20s. While not the possessor of a voice as powerful as Smith's, Rainey still cut a slew of strong sides featuring a fine blend of country blues intensity and jazz-band sophistication. This excellent Yazoo collection captures Rainey in her prime from 1924-1928. Backed by large combos and minimal guitar and piano tandems, Rainey shines on such highlights as "Booze and Blues," "Shave 'Em Dry," and "Lucky Rock Blues." Topped off with stellar contributions by blues and jazz luminaries like Don Redman, Coleman Hawkins, Kid Ory, and Georgia Tom Dorsey, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom makes for an excellent introduction to blues singer's small but potent catalog. ~ Stephen Cook

Product Details

Release Date:	07/01/1991
Label:	YAZOO
UPC:	0016351017123

Tracks

1. Oh Papa Blues
2. Black Eye Blues (Take 1)
3. "Ma" Rainey's Black Bottom
4. Booze and Blues
5. Blues Oh Blues
6. Sleep Talking Blues (Take 1)
7. Lucky Rock Blues
8. Georgia Cave Walk
9. Don't Fish in My Sea
10. Stack O'Lee Blues
11. Shave 'Em Dry Blues
12. Yonder Come the Blues (Take 1)
13. Screech Owl Blues
14. Farewell Daddy Blues

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Ma Rainey   Primary Artist,Vocals
Buster Bailey   Guest Artist,Clarinet
Tampa Red   Guest Artist,Guitar
Georgia Tom   Guest Artist,Piano
Coleman Hawkins   Guest Artist,Sax (Bass)
Fletcher Henderson   Guest Artist,Piano
Jimmy Blake   Piano
Al Wynn   Trombone
Harris   Sax (Alto),Sax (Tenor)
Howard Scott   Cornet
Jimmy O'Bryant   Clarinet
Kid Ory   Trombone
Claude Hopkins   Piano
Charlie Dixon   Banjo
Joe "Fox" Smith   Cornet
Charlie Green   Trombone
Lovie Austin   Piano
Jimmy Blythe   Piano
Tommy Ladnier   Cornet
Don Redman   Clarinet
Shirley Clay   Cornet
Artie Starks   Clarinet
Joseph "Kaiser" Marshall   Drums
Miles Pruitt   Guitar (12 String)

Technical Credits

Ma Rainey   Composer,Performer
Frank Deblase   Composer
Robert Vosgien   Digital Mastering
Michael Berniker   Producer
Nick Perls   Producer,Mastering
Public Domain   Composer
Rev. Thomas A. Dorsey   Composer
Terry Zwigoff   Hand Coloring
Robert Armstrong   Art Direction
Spencer Williams   Composer
Stephen Calt   Liner Notes