Ma Rainey

Nobody could belt it out like Ma Rainey, and here's a great collection that showcases it. All of the lady's biggest hits ("See See Rider," "Jealous Hearted Blues," "Black Cat, Hoot Owl Blues," "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom") are here, and the sound is as good as one can expect from the old Paramount 78s, probably the worst-pressed discs of the 1920s. Still, Ma's ebullient personality comes through the hisses and pops and scratches loud and clear. An essential blues buy for the collection. AllMusicGuide

1 Jealous Hearted Blues
2 See See Rider Blues
3 Jelly Bean Bleus
4 Countin' the Blues
5 Slave to the Blues
6 Chain Gang Blues
7 Bessemer Bound Blues
8 Wringin' and Twistin' Blues
9 Mountain Jack Blues
10 Trust No Man
11 Morning Hour Blues
12 Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
13 New Boweavil Blues
14 Black Cat, Hoot Owl Blue
15 Hear Me Talking to You
16 Prove It on Me
17 Victim of the Blues
18 Sleep Talking Blues
19 Blame It on the Blues
20 Daddy, Goodbye Blues
21 Sweet Rough Man
22 Black Eye Blues
23 Leavin' This Moorning
24 Runaway Blues