Son House – “My Black Mama (Part 1)”
The lyrics and music that Son House put down in the 1920’s and early 30’s left an indelible mark on blues, country, rock, RnB, and just about every genre of American music. His classic “My Black Mama (Part 1)” has been covered and reinterpreted by a who’s-who of blues legends including Robert Johnson, who recorded it as “Walkin’ Blues.” John Lee Hooker called his post-war version “Burnin’ Hell,” based on the lines “Ain’t no heaven, ain’t no burnin’ hell, where I’m goin’ when I die, can’t nobody tell.” This amazing solo vocal and guitar performance has lost none of its power over nearly a century since it was released on 78 RPM discs.
How crazy is crazy blues? Well, has you ever been in love? If you has, then you knows! If you hasn’t, then you don’t. This song is but a preview for the uninitiated, and a calming opiate for those in the know. Oh, that trombone makes our knees buckle. This song was huge hit in its day, and ain’t no reason you shouldn’t have it in your iPod or whatever gizmo you kids are runnin’ with. Clean mp3 copy on this one, too.
Here’s another great recording by the Mother Of The Blues, Ma Rainey, expertly accompanied by Thomas A. Dorsey on upright piano. The lyrics to this song are pure blues poetry, and Rainey delivers them with unrivaled sincerity, ease and power. Here is a clean digital transfer from 78RPM Shellac for all to enjoy.
Recorded shortly before Charley Patton’s death, “Mind Reader Blues” is a song he performed with his common-law wife, Bertha Lee. In her magnificent voice, Lee scolds Patton for his womanizing even as he lovingly accompanies her on guitar. The lyrics are auto-biographical: “I remember a day when I were livin’ at Lula town, I remember a day when I were livin’ at Lula town, my man did so many wrong things ’til I had to leave the town.” Bertha Lee hailed from Lula, Mississippi, and Patton lived there with her for a time. What exactly he did so they had to leave, one can only wonder! This is a clean transfer from 78RPM platter from 1934.
This great song was written by Memphis Minnie and Kansas Joe McCoy a year after the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927. It has since been adapted and recorded by Bob Dylan and Led Zeppelin and many others. Dylan’s adaptation appeared on the recording “Modern Times” in 2006. Led Zeppelin included a version of this song on their fourth album, Led Zeppelin IV. Memphis Minnie is credited for her lyrical contribution on this very popular song. 