Shave 'em Dry Blues blues oh yes. One of my oldest recordings from 1924. This is the polite version too, you shoulda heard the nasty lyrics I really wrote for this song. But here's the sweet version with me singing and Tampa Red on guitar.
Stack O' Lee Blues blues One of the more famous traditional blues tunes. Stack 'O Lee was a bad man, but he was my man, and of course he done me wrong. I bet you'll recognize it when you hear it!
Don't Fish in My Sea blues, acoustic blues, piano, delta "If you don't like my Ocean, don't fish in my Sea". Ha! I've always been proud of this one. Check out James Blythe on the piano ~ one of the finest players of the day. I co-wrote this one in 1926.
Georgia Cake Walk blues, country blues, standards Here's a dance we used to do back in my day. The cakewalk was one of the most popular of all early jazz styles of music, and reached its zenith around 1899. It's descended from plantation dances, and was the first ragtime style music.
Lucky Rock Blues blues, swing/big band, delta Give me a Lucky Rock from New Orleans! Yes! I got a bag full of 'em. Listen closely to this one, and you can hear my dear friend Louie Armstrong playing his cornet in the solo.
Sleep Talking Blues blues, country blues, acoustic blues, blues There ain't nothing worse than lying next to your man while he's sleep talking about some other woman! I co-wrote this one too, from personal experience. I recorded this song for Paramount in 1928.
Blues Oh Blues blues, blues and mo' better blues Oh yes daddy, the horns in this tune speak the truth. This is one of my favorite standards. I started performing it when I married Pa Rainey around 1926, and sang it on stages all over the South.
Booze and Blues blues, boozy blues, and blues Don't get much lower than this, but even when I'm low I can still be the last one standing. Haven't you heard? I can drink any man under the table. C'mon, let's head down to Harley's and have a few.
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom blues, jazz blues, dance I know whatcha thinkin' but the Black Bottom is a dance. Get your mind outta the gutter.
Here it is:
* Hop down front then Doodle back, (Doodle means slide)
* Mooch to your left then Mooch to the right
* Hands on your hips and do the Mess Around,
* Break a Leg until youre near the ground (Break a Leg is a hobbling step)
* Now thats the Old Black Bottom Dance
Instructions for the Mooch are Shuffle forward with both feet. Hips go first, then feet.
Black Eye Blues blues, country blues, acoustic blues, blues This tune has a great vocal melody. I used to love singing it. Gotta watch out for those black eye blues baby. I've had a couple in my time and I've given them out too. Don't you know it! "Low down alligator....I'm gonna get you with your britches down."
Oh Papa Blues blues, swing/big band, country blues, delta "Papa....papa, you ain't got no mama at all." Ain't that the truth. That scoundrel was rubbing my back with one hand and taking all my money with the other. Its a wonder I didn't kick him out before. Have a listen....
Slave To The Blues blues I'm growling this one out to the far reaches ~ one of my saddest, down-hearted songs. This grim reaper of a tune features jazz greats Louis Armstrong, Fletcher Henderson, Buster Bailey, Joe Smith and Coleman Hawkins. Ragtime guitarist Blind Blake and hokum-blues duo Georgia Tom and Tampa Red also contribute. Hopes it eases your mind just a bit.
