19 Classic Blues Songs from the 1920's Volume 9

 

I think I'm finally getting to the last volume of this series! Not that I want these to end, but I'm glad to be done with my reviews since I got so many at once!

Another classic collection with some familiar names and some that are brand new to this series (and to me!). This one starts out with two versions of the cover, title tune, "Mama Don't Allow No Easy Riders Here" - one by the terrific git-player Tampa Red and Georgia Tom and the other by Tampa and his Hokum Jug Band with vocals by Frankie "Half-Pint" Jaxon! Think I dig the more stripped down version, personally, but that's probably cuz the Jug Band take is fairly silly. Furry Lewis does some fine acoustic guitar picking in "Big Chief Blues", Ora Brown croons a mournful piano blues in "Jinx Blues", Charley Patton is depressing in "Jesus Is A Dying Bed Maker", Blind Blake impresses, as always, in the harrowing "Rope Stretchin' Blues Parts 1 and 2" and Blind Lemon Jefferson still does some fine playing in the funny "Fence Breakin' Yellin' Blues".

Ida Cox's "Fogyism" is, again, more orchestrated, horn-oriented and sultry, Harum Scarum (love the name!) gives us an upbeat, honky-tonkin' piano/guitar workout in "Come On In", Charley Spand changes course with the minor key piano blues "Evil Woman Spell", Teddy Darby plays some intricate guitar while singing "Lawdy Lawdy Worried Blues", Papa Charlie Jackson is absolutely goofy in the bouncy rag "Papa, Don't Tear Your Pants", "In That Pearly White City Above" is a sweet, gospel ballad by Blind Joel Taggart, who also provides upbeat gospel guitar pickin' in "Precious Lord" and "Little Black Train"- great stuff! Lane Hardin does a simple, almost drone-y (12-string?) guitar blues in "Hard Time Blues", the Robert Johnson-ish "California Desert Blues" and "Cartey Blues" and the compilation is completed by Jenny Pope's cartoon-ish, Munchin-like voice and kazoo-led blues, "Mr. Postman Blues" and the somewhat more straight-forward "Rent Man Blues" (although her bizarre vocals really stand out).

As I keep saying, I'm always gonna recommend anyone of this series cuz even if you already have a few of these cuts, you sure as heck don't have them all! Great job Blues Images!