Cain killed Abel, but I wasn't going to let that cane kill me - Emmett Murray, on quitting his job in the sugar cane fields, notes to Drop On Down in Florida
Just because those words were the ones that got to be on the record don't mean that it was the only ones that could fit there. We changed them songs around all the time. It don't matter what you want me to listen to right now. I probably never done it again that way anyhow! - Son House, responding when asked to decipher some lyrics from one of his records. Quoted in Woman With Guitar: Memphis Minnie's Blues by Paul and Beth Garon
"Would you like to play with me?"--Henry Townsend's reply to soundman Warren Argo's query as to whether anyone would be playing with Henry at his concert set at the first Port Townsend Country Blues Workshop.
The curtain would open and you wouldn't see nothing but this big record player... You know, a Victrola. Then Matt, he would come out and open the door, don't you know, and then I would step out singing while Hersal [Thomas] was playing the piano. It was beautiful, child, you should have seen it - Sippie Wallace describes a dramatic stage entrance in the 1920s, quoted in Black Pearls: Blues Queens Of The 1920s by Daphne Duval Harrison
Wow, that is amazing. Reminds me of the stuff we would dream up in school to entertain/impress our friends, very theatrical. I've got to read that book.
« Last Edit: January 03, 2009, 06:19:41 PM by Rivers »
I just don't find any sadness in the blues... I get a happy feeling when I hear a guitar tuning up. - Etta Baker, quoted in Woman With Guitar: Memphis Minnie's Blues by Paul and Beth Garon
"Say, I got me a little, little woman, five foot from the ground I got me a little bitty woman, five feet from the ground She's five foot standin' and she's four feet lyrin' down"
Her full voice filled the entire auditorium without the use of mikes like we use today. That was singing the blues! I was really inspired and kept plugging to become a singer. - Victoria Spivey, on seeing Mamie Smith perform at Houston's City Auditorium.