1928 was the last year of Ma's recording career and found her in a number of different musical settings. First was a longish session in June, with 'Her Tub Jug Washboard Band', featuring Georgia Tom on piano, plus a variety of characters on more improvised instruments (tub. jug and washboard, in short). The effect is very rough and ready, but Ma's vocals were somewhat in that vein too, and they make a pretty good match. But such a view stereotypes her; she sounds just as right a couple of months later with the more urbane setting where Tom is joined by Tampa Red on guitar - Red's high singing slide notes sound like they are almost in conversation with the vocalist on songs like the beautiful 'Daddy Goodbye' (which is based melodically on Leroy Carr's hit 'How Long') and 'Sleep Talking'. The duets with Papa Charlie Jackson, accompanied only by his banjo, are both entertaining and fascinating. This, first volume of five completing the recorded output of Ma Rainey's music will appeal to fans of the Classic Blues, Jazz and the Vaudeville Years.

Track Listing

• Black Cat Hoot Owl Blues
• Log Camp Blues
• Hear Me Talking To You
• Hustlin' Blues
• Prove It On Me Blues
• Victim Of The Blues
• Traveling Blues
• Deep Moaning Blues (take 1)
• Deep Moaning Blues (take 2)
• Daddy Goodbye Blues
• Sleep Talking Blues (take 1)
• Sleep Talking Blues (take 2)
• Tough Luck Blues
• Blame It On The Blues
• Sweet Rough Man
• Runaway Blues
• Screech Owl Blues
• Black Dust Blues
• Leaving This Morning (Original Leavin' This Morning Blues)
• Black Eye Blues (take 1)
• Black Eye Blues (take 2)
• Ma And Pa Poorhouse Blues
• Big Feeling Blues

Additional Details

Label: Document Records

Genre: Blues

Run Time: 70 mins

Region: 0

Release Date: 07/27/06

UPC: 714298515626