Ma Rainey

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Total Tracks: 24   Total Length: 71:35

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John Morthland

eMusic Contributor

John Morthland has been writing about music since the days of electronically rechanneled stereo and duophonic sound. His name has darkened the mastheads of Roll...more »

10.14.09
An essential collection of the "Mother of the Blues"
2007 | Label: Fantasy Records

Though singing blues in minstrel and medicine shows since 1902 or so, Ma Rainey didn't record until 1923, when she was 37 years old. As a link between pre-blues, pre-recording styles and classic blues, she was indeed "Mother of the Blues." Her earthy contralto and phrasing made her more akin to Delta greats than to classic blueswomen, and she helped define the genre repertoire with hits like "See See Rider Blues," which played down-home vocals off against sophisticated backing by Louis Armstrong and Fletcher Henderson. Nor was she a slave to love songs; "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" and others spoke to black Southern conditions in a way that few others dared.

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*****

Elijah

The sound quality takes some getting used to, but man, what a VOICE. The LP version of this collection that came out in the 70s included an additional eight tracks, and is worth seeking out.

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Contrary to the music's image, there are blues for every mood and every occasion, and blues styles varied widely for as long as the music stayed in style with African-Americans. Blues remains one of the cornerstones of American popular music, and though few bluesmen crossed over into the mainstream, many of their songs did. So here's three hours of blues classics for everyone: classic artists, classic songs, classic performances. Get it while you… more »

They Say All Music Guide

Nobody could belt it out like Ma Rainey, and here’s a great collection that showcases it. All of the lady’s biggest hits (“See See Rider,” “Jealous Hearted Blues,” “Black Cat, Hoot Owl Blues,” “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”) are here, and the sound is as good as one can expect from the old Paramount 78s, probably the worst-pressed discs of the 1920s. Still, Ma’s ebullient personality comes through the hisses and pops and scratches loud and clear. An essential blues buy for the collection. – Cub Koda