Hi all, Caldwell "Mississippi" Bracey had one day in the studio, I believe, December 17, 1930 in Jackson, Mississippi, and recorded four titles. On three of the titles he was joined, it is believed, by his wife, Virginia, who seconded him on guitar. All four tracks can be found on the JSP set "Mississippi Blues". I've been particularly enjoying their songs lately; they had a beautifully worked out duo sound, and Caldwell Bracey was a terrific singer. The duo did an interesting version of "Cherry Ball" which, apart from the title, is altogether different from Skip James' song of the same title. For the song, the main time-keeping guitarist plays out of E position in standard tuning. The lead guitarist, who focuses on the treble, may either be playing out of C position, capoed up, or working out of E position in standard tuning, too. Bracey has some nice lyrics, and I particularly like the opening line of the last verse. Here is "Cherry Ball":
Won't give my baby no more cherry ball I won't give my baby no more cherry ball Lord, she may get drunk, Lord, and show her Santa Claus
She used to be mine but, look who got her now She used to be mine but look who got her now Well, they sure can keep her, she don't mean no good nohow
When she see me comin', now, put your man outdoors When you see me comin', now, put your man outdoors You know I ain't no stranger, baby, I been here before
Sun rose this mornin', I was layin' out on my floor Sun rose this mornin', I was layin' out on my floor No sweet woman to love me, I didn't have no place to go
'Cause the sun goin' down now, black dark caught me here Sun's goin' down now, black dark caught me here I ain't got nobody to love me, nobody for to feel my care
SOLO
Edited 12/14 to pick up correction from dj
All best, Johnm
« Last Edit: July 03, 2020, 12:12:01 PM by Johnm »
Hi all, Another very strong number from Caldwell and Virginia Bracey is "You Scolded Me and Drove Me", which featured both of them playing out of Dropped-D tuning in D. Their guitar parts are right on top of each other in a way that is tremendously effective--so much for the benefits of leaving space! Caldwell's vocal strikes an aggrieved note that suits his lyrics perfectly. He had an interesting phrasing mannerism of sticking "now" in the middle of his lines, much as Sleepy John Estes liked to begin lines with "now". Anyone looking for a terrific song that hasn't been done to death need look no further. Here is "You Scolded Me And Drove Me":
You scolded me, faro, and then drove me all, from your door You scolded me, faro, Lord, drove me all, from your door Well, the Good Book say you've got to reap just what you sow
There was ice and snow, now, layin' outside of your door There was ice and snow, now, layin' outside of your door Your good old man rolled for you at times when he was not able to go
I can't sleep for dreamin', now, can't stay woke for cryin' Can't sleep for dreamin', now, can't stay woke for cryin' I was thinkin' about that little old brown of mine
I'm, I'm worried now, but I won't be worried long I'm worried now, but I won't be worried long It takes a worried woman, now, sing the worried song
Uh, you got a bad husband, now, baby, that'll be all right You got a bad husband, now, baby, that'll be all right Said, I'll dog your husband like a rabbit dogs your dog at night
Be so glad when my buddy dead and gone I'll be so glad when my buddy dead and gone Lord, my buddy got somethin', now, Lord, I'd like to own
All best, Johnm
« Last Edit: July 03, 2020, 12:12:52 PM by Johnm »
Hi all, The only Mississippi Bracey tune that was done with one guitar was the oddly-titled "Stered Gal". Bracey is clearly singing, "stir it, gal", but I guess that eluded the record company. Bracey accompanies himself out of E position in standard tuning, and the song has very much a children's song feel (despite the subject matter), much as did Bo Carter's "Twist It Babe". As was the norm for him, Bracey's singing is excellent. There's one place I'm not certain of the lyrics, and would appreciate correction/corroboration. Here is "Stered Gal":
That's my gal, stirrin' it now That's my gal, stirrin' it now
She wouldn't and she couldn't and she wouldn't do it a 'tall Found another man, went and crossed the hall Stir it, stir it, gal
That's my gal, stirrin' it now That's my gal, stirrin' it now
Grab my gal around the waist Sweet soul, you'd better make haste Stir it, stir it, gal
Run 'round the house and I peeped through the crack Seen my baby at a dirty act Stir it, stir it, gal Stir it, stir it, gal
Just as well as make it up in your mind Ain't much business, but stir it in the house Stir it, stir it, gal
SOLO
That's my gal, stirrin' it now That's my gal, stirrin' it now
Grab my gal around the waist Told me, "Better hurry, you better make haste." Stir it, stir it, gal
Run around the house and I peeped through the crack Seed my baby at a dirty act Stir it, stir it, gal
That's my gal, stirrin' it now That's my gal, stirrin' it now
SOLO
That's my gal, stirrin' it now That's my gal, stirrin' it now
Edited 12/17 to pick up correction from dj
All best, Johnm
« Last Edit: July 03, 2020, 12:13:40 PM by Johnm »
Hi all, The final number that Caldwell "Mississippi" Bracey and his wife Virginia recorded was "I'll Overcome Someday". For that song, one of the duo played slide in Vestapol while the other played in E position in standard tuning. The song is an 8-bar chorus blues, in some ways the last the least distinctive of their songs, but still really a nice rendition. Here is "I'll Overcome Someday":
Worked all the Summer, and all the Fall Now I gotta take Christmas, now, in my overhalls REFRAIN: But bye and bye, I'll overcome some sweet day
Goin' up the country, won't be back 'til Fall Times get no better I won't be back at all REFRAIN: But bye and bye, I'll overcome some sweet day
You treat me like, didn't know my name You mistreat me, now, for another man REFRAIN: But bye and bye, I'll overcome some sweet day
My baby quit me, didn't say a word 'Twas on account of something that she heard REFRAIN: But bye and bye, I'll overcome some sweet day
When I had money, I had a friend Ain't got no money, ain't, ain't got no friend REFRAIN: But bye and bye, I'll overcome some sweet day
Take one more drink, make me tell it all Somebody stole my little all-in-all REFRAIN: But bye and bye, I'll overcome some sweet day
SOLO
All best, Johnm
« Last Edit: July 03, 2020, 12:14:52 PM by Johnm »
Thanks for the suggestion, Mark. He was off microphone a bit at that point, as you noted. Of the three words he says there, I'm only sure of "told". Sure sounds like the last word was "us". The first word is the toughest to hear. His guitar sounds fantastic on this tune, doesn't it? Beautiful tone. All best, Johnm
Yeah he has such a great brushing technique and singing voice. I agree, the guitar sounds particularly sweet, sounds like my Tonk, was my immediate thought. Nice clear recording too. I need to get out the headphones on this song.
« Last Edit: December 14, 2012, 09:14:48 PM by Rivers »
Immediately after recording the 4 songs that John has just transcribed, Caldwell and Virginia Bracey recorded 4 religious vocal duets as "Caldwell Bracey and Wife". Unfortunately, all 4 songs were unissued at the time and the masters were probably discarded a long time ago. Still, one can hope...
The 4 songs were: God Is Getting Us Ready For The Great Day Lord, Lord You Sure Is Good To Me They Crucified My Savior, Hallelujah! I'll Be Glad When I Get Home
Thanks for that information, dj. The thought of Caldwell and Virginia Bracey doing religious material makes a lot of sense. I hope those masters do turn up sometime. All best, Johnm
Hi all, The only Mississippi Bracey tune that was done with one guitar was the oddly-titled "Stered Gal". Bracey is clearly singing, "stir it, gal", but I guess that eluded the record company. Bracey accompanies himself out of E position in standard tuning, and the song has very much a children's song feel (despite the subject matter), much as did Bo Carter's "Twist It Babe".
Thanks for the suggestion, dj. I foolishly left my recording of the song in Seattle at my teaching space, but I will re-listen to it when I'm down there on Wednesday and Thursday. All best, Johnm