ISHMAN BRACEY & CHARLEY TAYLOR — 1928-1929 Complete Recorded Works In Chronological Order | DOCD-5049 (1991) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Bracey's complete recorded works (1928-1929) are presented in chronological order on this single disc, with the bonus of four tracks by the elusive Charley Taylor. Since Bracey only recorded a handful of sides, this compilation is far more accessible than most of Document's Complete Recorded Works discs. Furthermore, Bracey was one of the best Delta blues artists of the '20s and his work is consistently engaging. Complete Recorded Works (1928-1929) is the best compilation available on Bracey -- not only does it work as a concise introduction, it has everything completists will need. Cub Koda

Abridged from this album’s original booklet notes. There is something hard and uncompromising about the personality of Ishmon Bracey, something challenging and direct. It is evident in the known photographs of him when he was in his late twenties, staring fixedly at the photographer. In one shot his expression is steady, even sullen; in the more familiar cut from an old Victor catalogue he struggled a mirthless and unfriendly smile. Dressed in a suit, with collar and tie, in each case he was carefully up-to-date. “A rare combination of braggart, entertainer, musician, showman and eventually an ordained minister” is how Gayle Dean Wardlow, who interviewed him many times, chose to describe him in Blues Unlimited (No. 142). By Ishmon Bracey‘s own account to Dave Evans, he was a fighter too, “mixing it” with Saturday night drunks and the jealous lovers who came after his friend Tommy Johnson. Bracey’s blues are an extension of the man but they come it seems, from two basic sources. “Rock, church, rock…” comments Charlie McCoy at one point, and the moaning of the elders on the “mourner’s” bench at the Baptist church of his childhood can be heard coming through his blues stanzas. His delivery is powerful, the singing of a field hand; the holler is never far away. Ishmon synthesised these two contemporary currents in his youthful experience as a singer in a convincing and personal style. With him on the 1928 sessions was Charlie McCoy: “Charlie couldn’t lead. He just seconded” as Bracey explained. But he was a remarkably sensitive “seconder” and the matching of the two guitars is impeccable. On Leavin’ Town Blues the manner in which one guitar echoes the phrase of the other, and then moves into integrated phrasing is a joy to hear. “44 Charley” Taylor a pianist on the session, worked with Bracey in Mississippi. At this last session we hear Bracey unaccompanied and on Woman Woman Blues introducing a hint of Tommy Johnson‘s falsetto. They worked together intermittently for another ten years or so and must have made a formidable team. DOCD-5049
1    Rosie Mae Moore–    Stranger Blues
Guitar – Ishman Bracey
Vocals – Rosie Mae Moore
2    Ishman Bracey–    Saturday Blues
Guitar – Charlie McCoy
Guitar, Vocals – Ishman Bracey
3    Ishman Bracey–    Left Alone Blues
Guitar – Charlie McCoy (
Guitar, Vocals – Ishman Bracey
4    Ishman Bracey–    Leavin' Town Blues (Take 1)
Guitar, Mandolin – Charlie McCoy
Guitar, Vocals – Ishman Bracey
5    Ishman Bracey–    Leavin' Town Blues (Take 2)
Guitar, Mandolin – Charlie McCoy
Guitar, Vocals – Ishman Bracey
6    Ishman Bracey–    Brown Mamma Blues (Take 1)
Guitar, Mandolin – Charlie McCoy
Guitar, Vocals – Ishman Bracey
7    Ishman Bracey–    Brown Mamma Blues (Take 2)
Guitar, Mandolin – Charlie McCoy
Guitar, Vocals – Ishman Bracey
8    Ishman Bracey–    Trouble Hearted Blues (Take 1)
Guitar – Charlie McCoy
Guitar, Vocals – Ishman Bracey
9    Ishman Bracey–    Trouble Hearted Blues (Take 2)
Guitar – Charlie McCoy
Guitar, Vocals – Ishman Bracey
10    Ishman Bracey–    The Four Day Blues (Take 1)
Guitar – Charlie McCoy
Guitar, Vocals – Ishman Bracey
11    Ishman Bracey–    The Four Day Blues (Take 2)
Guitar – Charlie McCoy
Guitar, Vocals – Ishman Bracey
12    Ishman Bracey And New Orleans Nehi Boys–    Jake Liquor Blues
Clarinet – Kid Ernest Michall
Guitar, Vocals – Ishman Bracey
Piano – Charley Taylor
13    Ishman Bracey And New Orleans Nehi Boys–    Family Stirving
Clarinet – Kid Ernest Michall
Guitar, Vocals – Ishman Bracey
Piano, Speech – Charley Taylor
14    New Orleans Nehi Boys–    Moblie Stomp
Clarinet – Kid Ernest Michall
Guitar, Speech – Ishman Bracey
Piano – Charley Taylor
15    New Orleans Nehi Boys–    Farish St. Rag
Clarinet – Kid Ernest Michall
Guitar, Speech – Ishman Bracey
Piano – Charley Taylor
16    Ishman Bracey–    Woman Woman Blues
Guitar, Vocals – Ishman Bracey
17    Ishman Bracey–    Suitcase Full Of Blues
Guitar, Vocals – Ishman Bracey
18    Ishman Bracey And New Orleans Nehi Boys–    Bust Up Blues
Clarinet – Kid Ernest Michall
Guitar, Vocals – Ishman Bracey
Piano – Charley Taylor
19    Ishman Bracey And New Orleans Nehi Boys–    Pay Me No Mind
Clarinet – Kid Ernest Michall
Guitar, Vocals – Ishman Bracey
Piano – Charley Taylor
20    Charley Taylor–    Heavy Suitcase Blues
Vocals, Piano – Charley Taylor
21    Charley Taylor–    Louisiana Bound
Vocals, Piano – Charley Taylor
22    Charley Taylor–    Too Damp To Be Wet
Piano – Charley Taylor
Vocals – Ishman Bracey
23    Charley Taylor–    Where My Shoes At?
Piano, Speech – Charley Taylor
Speech – Ishman Bracey

V.A. - Four Women Blues : Victor / Bluebird Recordings (1997) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Four Women Blues is the kind of anthology that would be assembled by a specialty label like Document or Story of the Blues, not a major label like RCA. And yet here it is, encompassing rare and unreleased Victor/Bluebird sides by four early female blues artists, mastered wherever possible from the original metal parts. The recordings, made between 1928-1936 and representing the four artists' extant output for the label, are predominately those of Memphis Minnie, a guitar-playing blues woman who was the most successful of the bunch. Her 13 cuts will be the ones that attract most blues collectors to this package, but the remaining tracks are fascinating as well. The names Mississippi Matilda, Kansas City Kitty, and Miss Rosie Mae Moore may not ring many bells for most blues enthusiasts, but the music is never less than interesting and the sound quality is probably as good as it will get ever on these scarce and forgotten recordings. by Greg Adams
Tracklist :
1    Memphis Minnie–    I'm Goin Back Home 2:42
Vocals, Guitar – Kansas Joe McCoy, Memphis Minnie
Written-By – Joe Johnson
2    Memphis Minnie–    Bumble Bee Blues 2:53
Guitar – Charlie Burse
Harmonica – Will Shade
Jug – Hambone Lewis
Vocals, Guitar – Memphis Minnie
Written-By – Minnie McCoy
3    Memphis Minnie–    Meningitis Blues 3:09
Guitar – Charlie Burse
Harmonica – Will Shade
Jug – Hambone Lewis
Vocals, Guitar – Memphis Minnie
Written-By – Minnie McCoy
4    Memphis Minnie–    I Never Told A Lie 2:41
Vocals, Guitar – Kansas Joe McCoy, Memphis Minnie
Written-By – Minnie McCoy
5    Memphis Minnie–    Don't Want No Woman 3:12
Vocals, Guitar – Kansas Joe McCoy, Memphis Minnie
Written-By – Joe Johnson
6    Memphis Minnie–    Georgia Skin 2:54
Guitar – Kansas Joe McCoy
Vocals, Guitar – Memphis Minnie
Written-By – Minnie McCoy
7    Memphis Minnie–    You Wrecked My Happy Home 2:42
Guitar [Prob.] – Big Bill Broonzy
Vocals, Guitar – Memphis Minnie
8    Memphis Minnie–    I'm Waiting On You 2:26
Guitar [Prob.] – Big Bill Broonzy
Vocals, Guitar – Memphis Minnie
Written-By – Minnie McCoy
9    Memphis Minnie–    Keep On Goin' 2:30
Guitar [Prob.] – Big Bill Broonzy
Vocals, Guitar – Memphis Minnie
Written-By – Minnie McCoy
10    Memphis Minnie–    When The Sun Goes Down Part 2 3:34
Bass – Bill Settles
Piano – Black Bob
Steel Guitar – Casey Bill Weldon
Vocals, Guitar – Memphis Minnie
11    Memphis Minnie–    Hustlin' Woman Blues 2:53
Bass – Bill Settles
Piano – Black Bob
Steel Guitar – Casey Bill Weldon
Vocals, Guitar – Memphis Minnie
Written-By – Minnie McCoy
12    Memphis Minnie–    Seeling My Pork Chops 2:53
Bass – Bill Settles
Piano – Black Bob
Steel Guitar – Casey Bill Weldon
Vocals, Guitar – Memphis Minnie
Written-By – Minnie McCoy
13    Memphis Minnie–    Doctor, Doctor Blues 3:18
Bass – Bill Settles
Piano – Black Bob
Steel Guitar – Casey Bill Weldon
Vocals, Guitar – Memphis Minnie
Written-By – Minnie McCoy
14    Mississippi Matilda–    Hardworking Woman Blues 2:52
Guitar – Sonny Boy Nelson
Guitar [Prob.] – Willie Harris
Vocals – Mississippi Matilda
Written By – Unknown Artist
15    Mississippi Matilda–    Happy Home Blues 2:46
Guitar – Sonny Boy Nelson
Guitar [Prob.] – Willie Harris
Vocals – Mississippi Matilda
Written By – Unknown Artist
16    Kansas City Kitty–    Christmas Mornin' Blues 3:02
Vocals, Piano [Prob.], Kazoo – Kansas City Kitty
Written-By – Spud Murphy
17    Kansas City Kitty–    Double Trouble Blues 2:58
Vocals, Piano [Prob.], Kazoo – Kansas City Kitty
Written-By – Thelma Holmes
18    Kansas City Kitty–    Leave My Man Alone 2:54
Vocals, Piano [Prob.], Kazoo – Kansas City Kitty
Written-By – Thelma Holmes
19    Kansas City Kitty–    Mistreatin' Easy Rider 3:09
Vocals, Piano [Prob.], Kazoo – Kansas City Kitty
Written-By – Thelma Holmes
20    Miss Rosie Mae Moore–    Staggering Blues 3:39
Guitar – Charlie McCoy
Vocals – Rosie Mae Moore
Written By – Unknown Artist
21    Miss Rosie Mae Moore–    Ha Ha Blues 3:38
Guitar – Charlie McCoy
Vocals – Rosie Mae Moore
Written By – Unknown Artist
22    Miss Rosie Mae Moore–    School Girl Blues 3:18
Guitar – Charlie McCoy
Vocals – Rosie Mae Moore
Written By – Unknown Artist
23    Miss Rosie Mae Moore–    Stranger Blues 3:24
Guitar – Charlie McCoy
Vocals – Rosie Mae Moore
Written By – Unknown Artist