2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful early blues, October 7, 2005
This review is from: Down in Black Bottom (Audio CD)
A terrific CD if you love this style of music. But be aware that another review here is actually about a different CD with a similar title. The songs on this have a few traditional blues complaints about women, but the performances are not by women.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
3 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Early female barrelhouse music, August 5, 2000
This review is from: Down in Black Bottom (Audio CD)
This is a collection of barrelhouse blues, rags and stomps from the 20's and 30's performed by women with often accompanied by male performers. You will find few familar names. Some, for example Mary Johnson, left blues for gospel; others are pseudonyms as is Dorthy Baker a.k.a. Doretha Trowbridge. The notes attempts to identify the individuals on the recordings gives an insight into the recording business that produced these recordings.
I wish that the notes provided the lyrics. "Satan Is Busy in Knoxville" for example lists unsolved crimes in Knoxville - lyrics I know no source for.
While all tracks are worth hearing (and rehearing), I find Lucille's Bogan's "Sloppy Drunk Blues" to be the most memorable cut with its low-key haunting accompaniment by Will Ezell.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
