Complete Recorded Works, Vol. 1 (1923)

by Ida Cox

Overview

Ida Cox was one of the most powerful blues singers of the 1920s, ranking just below Bessie Smith. The Document label has reissued all of Cox's 1920s recordings on four CDs, leaving out many of the alternate takes (since there are a great deal from 1923-24) to be put out on a later series. The first CD has the master takes of all of Cox's recordings from 1923, plus four alternates. Except for the closing "Bear-Mash Blues," which finds the singer joined by her future husband Jesse Crump on piano, the music either features accompaniment by pianist Lovie Austin (an underrated blues player) or assistance from Austin, the great cornetist Tommy Ladnier and clarinetist Jimmy O'Bryant. Cox was one of the few singers from this early period who could overcome the technical limitations of the primitive recording equipment and really communicate with the listener. Among the highlights from her first year on records are "Any Woman's Blues," "Graveyard Dream Blues" (which is heard in three versions), "Ida Cox's Lawdy, Lawdy Blues," "Moanin' Groanin' Blues," "Come Right In" (which has some lines that would become quite familiar in later songs) and "I've Got the Blues for Rampart Street." Highly recommended. ~ Scott Yanow

Product Details

Release Date:	04/01/1997
Label:	Document
UPC:	0714298532227
Rank:	113860

Tracks

1. Any Women's Blues
2. Bama Bound Blues
3. Lovin' Is the Thing I'm Wild About
4. Graveyard Dream Blues
5. Graveyard Dream Blues
6. Weary Way Blues
7. Blue Monday Blues
8. I Love My Man Better Than I Love Myself
9. Ida Cox's Lawdy, Lawdy Blues
10. Ida Cox's Lawdy, Lawdy Blues
11. Moanin' Groanin' Blues
12. Chattanooga Blues
13. Chicago Bound Blues
14. Chicago Bound Blues
15. Come Right In
16. I've Got the Blues for Rampart Street
17. I've Got the Blues for Rampart Street
18. Graveyard Dream Blues
19. Mama Doo Shee Blues
20. Worried Mama Blues
21. So Soon This Morning Blues
22. Mailman Blues
23. Confidential Blues
24. Bear-Mash Blues

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Ida Cox   Primary Artist,Vocals,Piano
Tommy Ladnier   Cornet
Jimmy O'Bryant   Clarinet,Piano
Lovie Austin   Piano
Jesse Crump   Piano

Technical Credits

Johnny Parth   Compilation Producer,Producer
Ida Cox   Composer
Lovie Austin   Composer
Eddie Boyd   Composer
John Cowley   Liner Notes
Gerhard Wessely   Remastering