Memphis Minnie "The Best Of Memphis Minnie" (1933-1937) [2008]

True to her billing ("plays guitar like a man"), Minnie held her own in a genre dominated by male artists. She had a gutsy voice and a no-nonsense guitar style. These 20 prime cuts were done in Chicago for the Vocalion and ARC labels. Recorded in the late '30s, many contain small band accompaniment that included Charlie McCoy's dynamic mandolin as well as legendary pianists Blind John Davis and Black Bob. Two cuts, "Please Don't Stop Him" and "I'm Going Don't You Know," feature Arnett Nelson's smooth clarinet work. Although Minnie would continue to record for several more decades, she would never be better than she was during these sessions. --Amazon.com Editorial ReviewMemphis Minnie is a unique figure in blues history, a female country blues singer who emerged in the late '20s when the field (at least on record) was exclusively filled by men. But, gender aside, she was one of the most talented blues singer/guitarists of the '30s and '40s. This CD reissue primarily dates from her period between her partnerships with Cousin Joe and Little Son Joe. Minnie is heard mostly playing her variations of good-time urban blues (à la Bill Broonzy), an even 12 bars to a chorus but with the feeling and emotion of the country blues. Pianist Blind John Davis and Charlie McCoy's mandolin help out on some of the tracks of the accessible set, which serves as a fine introduction to Memphis Minnie. Five of its 20 selections were previously unreleased. --Scott Yanow, AllMusic

trax:

01. Down In The Alley 02. Has Anyone Seen My Man? 03. I Hate To See The Sun Go Down 04. Ice Man 05. Hoodoo Lady 06. I'm A Bad Luck Woman 07. Caught Me Wrong Again 08. Black Cat Blues 09. Good Morning 10. Man, You Won't Give Me No Money 11. Keep On Eatin' 12. I've Been Treated Wrong 13. Good Biscuits 14. Ain't No Use Tryin' To Tell On Me 15. My Butcher Man 16. My Strange Man 17. If You See My Rooster (Please Run Him Home) 18. My Baby Don't Want Me No More 19. Please Don't Stop Him 20. I'm Going Don't You Know

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