Album Review
Martin, Sara -1922-1928 – [Wolf Records]
Thee Opinataur 9/22/2021 12-inch, Blues
These recordings are a mixed bag of recording quality from track to track. Some lyrics are difficult to hear clearly, some fuzzy static which adds a nice raw element to these early blues.
This album captures a wide range of Sara Martin’s vocal capabilities, from the higher range Achin’ Hearted Blues to a deeper more sensual register in Death Sting Me Blues. While her voice is solidly classic blues, in some of these tunes, she sounds unrelaxed and a bit uptight. She is at her best when she reflects her personality which comes through in ‘Taint Nobody’s Bus’ness If I Do’ and ‘Hole in the Wall’. A couple of nice duets with Clarence Williams, I’m Cert’ny Gonna See ‘Bout That’ and ‘Squabling Blues’ brings out her sassy personality.
Sara Martin (b1884 – d1955) was a well-traveled singer on the African American Vaudeville circuit in the early 20th century. Known as the ‘colored ’ Sophie Tucker’ and The Famous Moanin’ Mama” she was signed by Okeh Records in 1922 and recorded dozens of songs accompanied by the most accomplished musicians of the day including Clarence Williams, King Oliver, and Fats Waller. – Thee Opinataur
you heard it 22 times on kfjc! most recently:
- 315 days ago, Jack Tar played Sugar Blues
- 454 days ago, Ras Babo played You Got Ev'rything a Sweet Mama Needs But Me
- 457 days ago, Cousin Mary played Sugar Blues
- 459 days ago, Naysayer played Squabbling Blues
- 463 days ago, Avakhov played Eagle Rock Me, Papa
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