Search - Memphis Minnie :: Queen of Country Blues 1929-1937

Fantastic!

Pharoah S. Wail | Inner Space | 05/11/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've been visiting this box-set often since picking it up a few months ago. Previous to this, I only had one Memphis Minnie disc, so the vast majority of this box was new to me. Memphis Minnie is truly one of the giants of pre-war blues, yet she seems to be somewhat forgotten. Her name doesn't often seem to roll off the tongues of even many of the people who have gotten beyond just Robert Johnson. Hopefully this low priced yet high quality collection will help fix that situation. I think I have ten of these great JSP boxes so far, and this is one of the very best.In the majority of current blues, lyrics are little more than an after thought. Just something to play a supporting role to the trite guitar wankery. The pre-war era was when blues lyrics actually had something to say, and Minnie's lyrics are an excellent window into not only herself, but also into the flipside of life (of that era) and blues... life and blues from the female perspective. Minnie would seem to be as rough and tumble as any of her male counterparts. Guitaristically, the first major glimpse we get into her playing comes on Mister Tango Blues. Throughout this box it strikes me that Minnie may well have been a more influential guitarist than many of the more famous males of her time. She does things you can still hear people doing today. A compliment to Minnie, but yet another comment on the stale state of most blues today.One of the things that makes this entire box such a joy is that Minnie's music is comprised of many different styles. Whereas someone like Blind Lemon Jefferson only really did a handful of different things and everything he did fell into those categories, Minnie does everything from low-down blues to more mournful songs illustrating the female perspective, to jaunty, goofily fun tunes, jugband stuff, etc...If you're only interested in hearing her do When The Levee Breaks, this isn't the set for you, as it's not here. I e-mailed JSP before this box was released and they told me that it would be included on a Kansas Joe box instead. Considering how many Minnie and Joe tracks are on here, I'm not sure why that wasn't included also, but it's a small gripe considering the great price of these JSP boxes and that it it won't bother me to pick up the Joe box for Levee and all the other tracks they did together that were not included here.This whole box is like a musical treasure chest. Beyond "Thank you Minnie and JSP!!!" I can't think of anything more to say."

Memphis Minnie, a real treat for traditional blues lovers

Charles Hook | Greensboro, NC | 07/13/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Memphis Minnie's tempestous life is reflected in ther songs. This five CD collection contains songs that tell of troublews with lovers, a bout with Meningitis, and electrical deficiencies. "KYou gotta have a socket" tells of the need of a place to plug in an iron. Menyof her songs are rife with double entrendre. Its avazing how they discribed sexual activity. Her voice is as strong as Bessie Smith's, and much easier to understand. The two guitar accompaniment, Most with Kansas Joe McCoy, is supurb. Nobody does it like her. Well worth the price."