Mamie Smith - Complete Recorded Works, Vol. 1

Okay, the recording quality is not the best, but what can you expect from something recorded in the early 1920s? Regardless, this collection of Mamie Smith's early work is well worth hearing; along with the classic "Crazy Blues," there's "That Thing Called Love," "What Have I Done?," "Sax-O-Phoney Blues," and the hilarious "I Want a Jazzy Kiss." Several instrumental tracks highlight Smith's backing band as well. If her voice doesn't come through as strongly today as does Empress Bessie's, it's still got a clear, clean tone that's a pleasure to hear. --Genevieve Williams Amazon.com

The first blues singer

Document Records' 'Mamie Smith: The Complete Recorded Works, Vol. 1: 1920-1921' features a young Mamie Smith at her best. Of course, this has her biggest hit and the first major blues song ever recorded, 'Crazy Blues,' but there is more to Mamie Smith than that.

She, along with peers like Alberta Hunter, Ida Cox and the legendary Bessie Smith, started the blues craze of the 1920s. Born in 1883, Mamie was the first African American to make vocal blues, which she did in 1920.

All of the surviving 1920 recordings, as well as a handful from 1921, are documented here. 'Mem'ries of You Mammy,' 'Lovin' Sam from Alabam,' and 'Jazzbo Ball' all appear here, as well as a few instrumental songs here.

With a total of 24 songs, you get a great look at the legendary Mamie Smith. If you just want her legendary recordings, this is all you will ever really need.

Overall, if you like the blues at all, you must own this album. These recordings are historical. Buy this album. You won't regret it.

Highly recommended for any lover of the blues, whether it be classic blues of the '20s-'70s or modern blues of the '80s-today, this is a must own.

ENJOY!!! July 29, 2008

Good idea...BUT too long!

From the point of view of modern listener,this CD is something like test of endurance.As much as I respect the whole legend about early quens of the blues,and fascinated as I am with the whole story,"Document" CD's aree simply too much for me.Instead of having ALL of Mamie's (Ida's,Alberta's,Sippie's or whoever) recordings,I would prefer to have SELECTED compilation,simply because this songs were recorded long before idea of LP,so they do sound very much alike.I know Mamie Smith was very important singer who started blues recordings,I love her strong voice and she must be interesting personality,but I never managed to listen this CD until the end.Quitte a few instrumentals dont make much difference,I must say its simply too long. November 22, 2000

MAMIE SMITH WAS THE 1ST PERSON TO RECORD A BLUES

MAMIE SMITH MAY HAVE NOT BEEN THE FIRST PERSON TO HAVE EVER SANG A BLUES, BUT SHE'LL GO DOWN IN HISTORY AS BEING THE FIRST PERSON TO RECORD A BLUES. IN 1920 SMITH RECORDED THE 1ST BLUES EVER, "CRAZY BLUES", WHICH SOLD OVER A MILLION COPIES IN THE 1ST 6 MONTHS OF IT'S RELEASE. SHE PAVED THE WAY FOR THE 20'S BLUES CRAZE, AND RECORD PRODUCERS WERE REALIZING THAT WHITE PEOPLE WERE BUYING THESE "RACE RECORDS." MAMIE SMITH PAVED THE WAY FOR MANY ENTERTAINERS LIKE BILLIE HOLIDAY, BESSIE SMITH, AND COLEMAN HAWKINS(WHO PERFORMED WITH HER GROUP THE JAZZ HOUNDS). SMITH'S RECORDING CAREER WAS QUITE ACCIDENTAL, SOPHIE TUCKER WAS SUPPOSED TO RECORD SOME SONGS, BUT DUE TO A BUSY SCHEDULE SHE RECOMMENDED SMITH, WHICH EVENTUALLY LED TO THE HISTORICAL "CRAZY BLUES" ALTHOUGH SMITH HERSELF WAS MORE OF A VAUDEVILLE PERFORMER THAN A BLUES SHOUTER,SHE HAD A CLEAR AND DICTY VOICE. THE MUSIC ON THIS IMPORTED DOCUMENT CD IS QUITE HISTORICAL, THESE ARE HER EARLIEST SESSIONS IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER. HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DISC ARE THE HISTORICAL "CRAZY BLUES" AS WELL AS SOME MARVELOUS INSTRUMENTAL TRACKS BY HER JAZZ HOUNDS(FEATURING COLEMAN HAWKINS AND MANY OTHER JAZZ ALL STARS). OVERALL THIS IS A HISTORICAL AND HIGHLY ENJOYABLE SET. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO CLASSIC JAZZ AND BLUES COLLECTORS AS WELL AS THE NOVICE. February 20, 2000

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