IDA COX - Complete Recorded Works in Chronological Order Vol. 5 (1939-1940) DO-5651 [1999]

Other than an album from 1961, this CD has blues singer Ida Cox's final recordings. The first seven selections (which include a previously unreleased "One Hour Mama") has four additional alternate takes. Cox is heard in 1939 backed by an accurately-titled "all-star band" that consists of trumpeter Hot Lips Page, trombonist J.C. Higginbotham, clarinetist Edmond Hall, either James P. Johnson or Fletcher Henderson on piano, guitarist Charlie Christian, bassist Artie Bernstein and Lionel Hampton on drums. Although her prime was considered the 1920s, Ida Cox on "Death Letter Blues" and "Four Day Creep" still sounds pretty strong. The remainder of this CD is taken from a 1940 session with trumpeter Red Allen, Higginbotham, Hall, pianist Cliff Jackson, bassist Billy Taylor, and drummer Jimmy Hoskins that resulted in four titles and four alternate takes; only two performances were released previously, but Cox's singing is excellent. It is a pity that because musical styles had changed, Ida Cox was largely forgotten during this period.  by Scott Yanow

Tracklist
1 Deep Sea Blues (Take 1) 3:20
Ida Cox
2 Deep Sea Blues (Take 2) 3:24
Ida Cox
3 Death Letter Blues (Take 1) 3:17
Ida Cox
4 Death Letter Blues (Take 4) 2:46
Ida Cox
5 One Hour Mama (Take 4) 2:56
Ida Cox / Porter Grainger
6 One Hour Mama (Breakdown) (Take 5) 0:17
Ida Cox
7 One Hour Mama (Take 6) 3:07
Ida Cox / Porter Grainger
8 Four Day Creep 3:28
Ida Cox
9 Pink Slip Blues 3:01
Porter Grainger
10 Hard Times Blues 3:00
Ida Cox
11 Take Him Off My Mind 3:05
Porter Grainger
12 Last Mile Blues (Take 1) 3:12
Ida Cox / Jesse Crump
13 Last Mile Blues (Take 2) 3:19
Ida Cox / Jesse Crump
14 I Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Break My Heart 3:21
Ida Cox
15 I Can't Quit That Man (Take 1) 2:55
16 I Can't Quit That Man (Take 2) 3:00
17 I Can't Quit That Man (Take 3) 3:17
18 You Got To Swing And Sway (Take 1) 2:57
Ida Cox
19 You Got To Swing And Sway (Take 2) 2:33
Ida Cox

Credits

Henry "Red" Allen - Trumpet

Artie Bernstein - Bass, Sax (Bass)

Charlie Christian - Guitar

Ida Cox - Composer, Primary Artist, Vocals

Edmond Hall - Clarinet

Lionel Hampton - Drums

Fletcher Henderson - Piano

J.C. Higginbotham - Trombone

Jimmie Hoskins - Drums

Cliff Jackson & His Crazy Cats - Piano

James P. Johnson & His Orchestra - Piano

James P. Johnson - Piano

Hot Lips Page - Trumpet

Billy Taylor - Sax (Bass)

Billy Taylor, Sr. - Bass

IDA COX - Complete Recorded Works, Vol. 5 (1939-1940) 

[1999] DO-5651 FLAC / scans
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