Finally, August. I keep hoping that Murderball would play down here to save the trip up to Chapel Hill were I would buy way too many CDs, but every Friday comes and goes and it’s never playing at the only theater down here that would show it. But I have hope for this Friday.

I forgot about this request for too long, but better late than never. Mamie Smith recorded the first blues song “Crazy Blues” way back in 1920 and it was a huge hit, and Mamie Smith (and other blues singers) were rushed into the studio and cranked out as many songs as they could for about four years straight. The quality of these sessions is wildly varied (I mean Alberta Hunter’s early period is such a mess) but Mamie Smith came out the best, I think. This two tracks were recorded in late 1920 and features one of the best blues bands backing Mamie. The first track “Mem’ries Of You Mammy” feels sort of sluggish to me, but I love her spoken part towards the end. The other track “The Road Is Rocky” is a better number, allowing the Jazz Hounds to do their part and features a really great vocal performance by Mamie

Mamie Smith - Mem’ries Of You Mammy
Mamie Smith - The Road Is Rocky (But I’m Gonna Find My Way)

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