the_future_modernes: text icon black history 365,  black green and red letters against white background (black history month 2)
now bring me that horizon... ([personal profile] the_future_modernes) wrote in [community profile] rocknroll_n_blues_queens2010-12-01 07:41 pm

Where rocknroll and blues came from: Ma Rainey "The Mother of the Blues"

Wikipedia has a nice beginning bio of her.


In 1920, Mamie Smith was the first black woman to record a record.[11]

...
Ma Rainey was known for her very powerful vocal abilities, energetic disposition, majestic phrasing, and a ‘moaning’ style of singing similar to folk tradition. Though her powerful voice and disposition are not captured on her recordings, the other characteristics are present, and most evident on her early recordings, Bo-weevil Blues and Moonshine Blues. Ma Rainey also recorded with Louis Armstrong in addition to touring and recording with the Georgia Jazz Band. Ma Rainey continued to tour until 1935 when she retired to her hometown.[1]
MORE


Gertrude 'Ma' Rainey - Bo Weavil Blues 2
....

She was bisexual. One of her female lovers was the epic Bessie Smith, whom she shemet while Bessie was young. They worked together and became partners.

Ma Rainey - Prove it on me Blues


(From Wikipedia)
In 2004, her song "See See Rider Blues" (1925) was inducted in the Grammy Hall of Fame, and was included by the National Recording Preservation Board in the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry in 2004.[27] The board selects songs in an annual basis that are "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."MORE


Ma Rainey See See Rider 1925



She was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.Youtube has some more of her stuff. And mp3s and cds are available. Happy searching!

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