VICTORIA SPIVEY — Complete Recorded Works in Chronological Order Vol. 1 (1926-1927) DOCD 5316 (2000) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The first of four Document CDs that contain all of singer Victoria Spivey's pre-war recordings has her first 23 sides. Spivey made her initial reputation with her series of dark blues that were full of symbolism, such as her trademark "Black Snake Blues" -- snakes and tuberculosis were common topics in her lyrics. Her first four selections were recorded in St. Louis from May 11-13, 1926 (she was 19 at the time); she then relocated to New York. Spivey is heard backed by several ensembles led by pianist John Erby in August 1926 (including her first meetings with guitarist Lonnie Johnson) and on five pieces in October 1927 with Johnson and pianist Porter Grainger. By the time the latter sides were recorded, her style was becoming a little more lighthearted and softer but no less powerful. Among the highlights of this superior set are "Black Snake Blues," "Hoodoo Man Blues," "Spider Web Blues," "Got the Blues So Bad," "The Alligator Pond Went Dry," "T.B. Blues," and "Garter Snake Blues." This is highly recommended, as are the other three CDs in this important series. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1 Black Snake Blues 3:08
Vocals, Piano – Victoria Spivey
2 Dirty Woman's Blues 3:10
Speech [Male] – Unknown Artist
Vocals, Piano – Victoria Spivey
3 Long Gone Blues 3:05
Cornet – Pierce Gist
Piano – De Lloyd Barnes
Vocals – Victoria Spivey
4 No More Jelly Bean Blues 3:18
Cornet – Pierce Gist
Piano – De Lloyd Barnes
Vocals – Victoria Spivey
5 Hoodoo Man Blues 2:40
Piano – John Erby
Vocals – Victoria Spivey
6 Spider Web Blues 3:03
Piano – John Erby
Vocals – Victoria Spivey
7 It's Evil Hearted Me 2:55
Piano – John Erby
Vocals – Victoria Spivey
8 Santa Fe Blues 3:21
Piano – John Erby
Vocals – Victoria Spivey
9 Humored And Petted Blues 2:27
Clarinet – Unknown Artist
Drums – Unknown Artist
Orchestra – Erby's Fidgety Five
Piano – John Erby
Trombone – Unknown Artist
Trumpet – Unknown Artist
Vocals – Victoria Spivey
10 Big Hoston Blues 2:45
Guitar – Lonnie Johnson
Piano [Prob.] – John Erby
Vocals – Victoria Spivey
11 Got The Blues So Bad 3:02
Piano [Prob.] – John Erby
Violin – Lonnie Johnson
Vocals – Victoria Spivey
12 Blue Valley Blues 2:53
Clarinet – Unknown Artist
Drums – Unknown Artist
Orchestra – Erby's Fidgety Five
Piano – John Erby
Trombone – Unknown Artist
Trumpet – Unknown Artist
Vocals – Victoria Spivey
13 Steady Grind 3:27
Guitar – Lonnie Johnson
Piano – John Erby
Vocals – Victoria Spivey
14 Idle Hour Blues 3:01
Guitar – Lonnie Johnson
Piano – John Erby
Vocals – Victoria Spivey
15 Arkansas Road Blues 3:20
Guitar – Lonnie Johnson
Piano – John Erby
Vocals – Victoria Spivey
16 The Alligator Pond Went Dry 2:44
Guitar – Lonnie Johnson
Piano – John Erby
Vocals – Victoria Spivey
17 No. 12 Let Me Roam 3:32
Guitar – Lonnie Johnson
Piano – John Erby
Vocals – Victoria Spivey
18 T-B Blues 3:15
Guitar – Lonnie Johnson
Piano – John Erby
Vocals – Victoria Spivey
19 Garter Snake Blues 3:17
Guitar – Lonnie Johnson
Piano – Porter Grainger
Vocals – Victoria Spivey
20 Christmas Morning Blues 3:28
Guitar – Lonnie Johnson
Piano – Porter Grainger
Vocals – Victoria Spivey
21 Dope Head Blues 3:21
Guitar – Lonnie Johnson
Piano – Porter Grainger
Vocals – Victoria Spivey
22 Red Lantern Blues 3:11
Guitar – Lonnie Johnson
Piano – Porter Grainger
Vocals – Victoria Spivey
23 Blood Thirsty Blues 3:03
Guitar – Lonnie Johnson
Piano – Porter Grainger
Vocals – Victoria Spivey