Hi all,
Big Bill Broonzy recorded "Mistreatin' Mama Blues" twice, in relatively rapid succession, first on February 9, 1932 for Champion, as "Mistreatin' Mamma Blues" played by Big Bill Johnson, and again on March 29, 1932 for Banner, as "Mistreatin' Mama Blues", played by Big Bill. In both instances, the song was flat-picked in C position, standard tuning. Broonzy's flat-picking on this song and "How You Want It Done" is reminiscent of early Bluegrass lead guitar playing. Here is "Mistreatin' Mama Blues":



INTRO SOLO

Whyn't you tell me, lovin' mama, baby, what have I done so wrong?
Whyn't you tell me, lovin' mama, baby, what have I done so wrong?
Lord, you treat me just like so man you never known

Says, you gwonna call me some morning, mama, Lord, and I'll be gone
You gwonna call me some old morning, mama, Lord, and I'll be gone
Lord, and I know you're gwonna miss me, from rolling in your arms

I have got somethin' to tell you, mama, please keep it to yourself
Babe, I got somethin' to tell you, mama, please keep it to yourself
Lord, if I can't have you, babe, I don't want nobodies else

SOLO

Lord, I feel so worried, mama, I don't know what to do
Lord, I feel so worried, babe, I don't know what to do
Lord, my wife's done quit me, my Lord, and my sweetie, too

Babe, but that's all right, mama, baby, that's all right for you
Mama, that's all right, baby, mama, that's all right for you
You gwonna want me some mornin' and, Lord, and I won't want you

Now, baby, don't mistreat me, 'cause I'm a motherless child
Now, mama, don't mistreat me, 'cause I'm a motherless child
'Cause you may be in my same shape, baby, someday, by and by

CODA

All best,
Johnm
   

Big Bill Broonzy had recorded essentially the same song, with the same accompaniment in 1930 and again in 1932, and had moreover used the very same accompaniment for "Mistreatin' Mama Blues" in 1932.

Not quite the same – "Mistreatin' Mama" is in C.
Chris

Hi all,
Louie Lasky recorded "How You Want Your Rollin' Done", accompanying himself with a flat pick in G position standard tuning at the same April 2, 1935 session at which he recorded "Caroline" and "Teasing' Brown Blues". Somewhat surprisingly, he never solos all the way through the form, but instead chooses to do a vocal feature with exciting fills for the full length of his rendition. He had recorded "How You Want Your Rollin' Done" at a session a month prior, but that version was never released. Big Bill Broonzy had recorded essentially the same song, with the same accompaniment in 1930 and again in 1932, and had moreover used the very same accompaniment for "Mistreatin' Mama Blues" in 1932. Here is Loouie Lasky's version of "How You Want Your Rollin' Done":



INTRO

Ahh, tell me, mama, just how you want your rollin' done
Now tell me, baby, just how you want your rollin' done
And just as long as you like it, if it takes the whole night long

My gal got teeth like the lighthouse on the sea
I mean, baby, like the lighthouse upon the sea
And every time she smiles, she throws her lovin' light on me

My rider's got something, and I don't know just what it is
My rider's got something and I don't know, just what it is
And every time she wiggles and wobbles, Papa can't keep his black self still

Lord, I'm wild about her jelly, she put me in the alley, 'cause my gal's name is Sally, and I know she's got good jelly
Tell me, just how you want that rollin' done
And just as long as you like it, if it takes the whole night long

Oh I can get religion, baby, most any day
I mean, hey, 'most any day
But the dice and these women, I swear they won't let me pray

Lord, if you steal my rider, I won't get mad with you
You steal my rider, I won't get mad with you
'Cause she's three times seven, and she knows just 'xactly what to do

CODA

All best,
Johnm

Thanks for the help, Blues Vintage. In the first verse, "reverie" would make more sense, but "repartee" matches his sound really well--good hearing! I think he sings "she FELL forever on my mind" in both verses. In verse, where most people would be "bothered", I think he sings "by me all the time". I will make changes. Thanks!

Hi all,
Louie Lasky recorded "Caroline" at a session in Chicago on April 2, 1935, accompanying himself with a flat pick in C position, standard tuning. I believe Lasky to be the source for Big Bill Broonzy's flat-picking approach despite Broonzy having recorded solo earlier. Lasky's birth surname, according to DG&R, was Leslie--it's interesting but not exactly fruitful to think about how he came to call himself Lasky. I'd very much appreciate help with the lyrics in a couple of places which I just can't hear. Here is "Caroline":



INTRO SOLO

Come here, don't you see? Please bring her back to me
She's the girl they call Caroline
In this repartee, she's always let me see
That she's the girl they call Caroline
And when I'm sleeping, she fell forever on my mind
And she keeps me worried, baby, all the time
In this heart of mine, Lord, you will always find
That she's the gal they call Caroline

SOLO

Only don't you see? Please bring her back to me
That she's the sweetest little thing from above
She's the gal of mine, and they call her Caroline
She's the sweetest little thing I love
And when I'm sleeping, she fell forever on my mind
And she keeps me worried, by me all the time
In this heart of mine, Lord, you will always find
That she's the gal they call Caroline

SOLO

Edited 7/3 to pick up corrections from Blues Vintage

All best,
Johnm