Document's Complete Recorded Works (1928-1929) is an exhaustive overview of Bessie Tucker's known recordings, compiled from a pair of late-'20s sessions and including no less than seven alternate takes (each presented right next to the original). This reliance on exact sequencing, along with the poor fidelity and a large number of performances, are enough to make this of limited interest to casual listeners. Since this is the only Bessie Tucker collection in print, however, it's the best place to find classic recordings like "Penitentiary" and "Fryin' Pan Skillet Blues." Thom OwensAbridged from this album’s original booklet notes. Bessie Tucker first
recorded in Memphis, Tennessee on August 28, 1928. From the sole
surviving picture of her, she would appear to have been a young woman at
the time, slim and fine featured. To all outward appearance, here is a
genteel “high yellow” indeed. However, once you hear her voice,
immediately there is a marked difference from what you would have
expected. A sombre, even somewhat dangerous aura comes immediately to
the forefront. Moans, songs of travel, jail, fights with men, women and
knowledge of the police are brought forward in a manner that could be
artistry of the highest level, or otherwise mere brutal honesty –
telling the stories she knew in song directly, personally, and
immediately. If you listen with the latter assumptions, this initial
session has a slice of life quality seldom equaled in the blues. Bessie
Tucker was never found by researchers, either. Paul Oliver came closest
when he interviewed Whistlin’ Alex Moore in 1960. Asking about Bessie
Tucker and Ida May Mack, Oliver’s response from Moore was “They’re tough
cookies, don’t mess with them.” So perhaps they were still alive in
Dallas as late as 1960, but thirty years later no further information
has been found. However, at long last we do have Bessie Tucker’s legacy
gathered together in one spot, and that is perhaps as it should be. Now
she can be enjoyed and remembered at the height of her considerable
talents. DOCD-5070
Tracklist
1 Bessie's Moan 3:28
2 The Dummy 3:32
3 Fort Worth And Denver Blues [Take 1] 3:22
4 Fort Worth And Denver Blues [Take 2] 3:26
5 Penitentiary [Take 1] 3:32
6 Penitentiary [Take 2] 3:32
7 Fryin' Pan Skillet Blues [Take 1] 3:27
8 Fryin' Pan Skillet Blues [Take 2] 3:26
9 My Man Has Quit Me 3:13
10 Got Cut All To Pieces [Take 1] 3:26
11 Got Cut All To Pieces [Take 2] 3:24
12 Black Name Moan 3:22
13 Better Boot That Thing [Take 1] 2:43
14 Better Boot That Thing [Take 2] 2:44
15 Katy Blues [Take 1] 3:13
16 Katy Blues [Take 2] 3:00
17 Mean Old Jack Stropper Blues [Take 1] 3:11
18 Mean Old Jack Stropper Blues [Take 2] 3:01
19 Old Black Mary 3:14
20 Key To The Bushes Blues 2:54
21 Bogy Man Blues 2:46
22 Mean Old Master Blues 3:06
23 Whistling Woman Blues 3:18
24 T.B. Moan 3:15
