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- Article By Teeny
Tucker -
Big Mama
“Willie Mae” Thornton and Big Maybelle “Mabel Louise
Smith,” were two of the most prolific, and
groundbreaking, singers in the history of the Blues
genre. Both born in the 1920’s and both sang in Baptist
gospel choirs which were located just a few miles from
each other. This only proves that music is universal
and without contributions from these two unique ladies,
the world would have missed pure vocal talent that
started from the mother’s womb. It can’t be taught, you
can’t learn it. It is only a gift from God.
Big Mama
Thornton was born Willie Mae Thornton on December 11,
1926 to a Baptist minister and a gospel singing mother
who no doubt passed on the gut fire talent to their
daughter. During her career, she recorded with the
Muddy Waters Blues Band and also recorded such great
tunes such as: “I’m Feeling Alright”, “Bumble Bee”, “and
“Big Mama’s Blues” to name a few. She went on to record
“Ball & Chain” with Lightning Hopkins and other Blues
classics such as; “Hound Dog” and “Wade in the Water”.
As a
tribute, Robert Hughes a fine guitar player, blues
historian, and world renowned photographer and I decided
to undertake a “labor of love” to honor and pay tribute
to these two great and talented women. The CD titled
“The Two Big M’s” song selections were based on
countless hours listening to the material. For almost a
year, we listened day and night, night and day until
“the right choices” for this project were revealed.
Jerry Leiber and Mike Stroller’s “Hound Dog” written for
Big Mama Thornton in 1952 was a must, one of Big Mama’s
first hits and the one that clearly put her on the map
as one of the greatest R&B and Blues singers that ever
existed. Three years later, Elvis Presley made “Hound
Dog” a hit and was paid huge dividends, while Big Mama
Thornton got a flat five hundred dollars for her version
of the song. Another song I thought heavily upon
recording was her classic “Ball & Chain” (written by Big
Mama Thornton). This song was one that put Big Mama
Thornton in the forefront with male blues singers. Big
Mama clearly lead the path for future women blues
singers and penned the song that inspired me to write
the only original tune on the CD, titled “The Two Big
M’s.” Later Janis Joplin, a rock and roll singer from
Texas made the classic blues song “Ball & Chain” a hit.
How wonderful to see that Big Mama inspired artists that
were classified in other genres of music. Kudos to
Janis Joplin!
I love Big
Mama Thornton’s rendition of “Bumble Bee” recorded with
the Muddy Waters Band in 1966. It is a fun song
depicting a man that is truly missed by his woman for
his prominent manhood and how he can make a woman really
feel like a woman. It is a great tune and one of my
favorites chosen to go on this project. Some of the
other tunes you will hear on this CD from Big Mama
Thornton are, “Heavy Load”, “Sassy Mama” and “Unlucky
Girl.” I feel I put my heart and soul into this project
in order to pay admiration and honor to two of the
greatest artists that walk among us. Although, there is
really only one Big Mama Thornton, I would hope if she
were still here and had to critique me, she would say
well done my good and faithful servant to the Blues.
Big Mama
Thornton Died on July 25, 1984 at the age of 57 in Los
Angeles, CA, alone, penniless and under-recognized.
The other
great blues lady on this project is Big Maybelle born
Mabel Louise Smith on May 1, 1924 in Jackson Tennessee.
She too, got her start in the gospel choir and later in
her teens, she toured with the all female International
of Rhythm and then the Christine Chatman Orchestra as
pianist where she made her first recording in 1944.
She proved she had what it took to make great songs.
She rides in and out of a song using her husky unique
tone effortlessly making a song a classic associated
with Big Maybelle only. Her big break came in 1953 on
her first recording with Okeh Records with the hit song,
“Gabbin Blues” followed by “Way Back Home” and “My
Country Man.” Although, “My Country Man” is by far one
of my most favorites of Big Maybelle, I chose not to do
it on this CD because I did it on my last album, “First
Class Woman.”
After
listening to Big Maybelle’s song lists and a big push
from Robert Hughes, I decided her 1955 recording of
“Whole Lotta Shakin” produced by then, a young Quincy
Jones and done so without much commercial success.
Nevertheless, this song would be one that I would
choose. Many times, I’d listened to Big Maybelle’s
version and then go back and listen to the version of
Jerry Lee Lewis a rock & roll singer who recorded it at
Sun Records in 1957, placing the song as #3 on the
Billboard, #1 on the R&B charts and #1 on the Country
charts. In the end, we decided to add it to the project
with a flavor and style of our own. Of course, input
from Robert Hughes’s was to keep the sound close to the
50’s as much as possible. He put his guitar solo spin on
it, capturing the sound that makes this song stand on
its own. Whole Lotta Shakin is branded in the National
Recording Reservation Board as culturally, historically,
or aesthetically important, and/or inform or reflect
life in the United States. How much more classic can Big
Maybelle get? I hope everyone can enjoy the tribute on
this one. Other songs selected from Big Maybelle’s
collection are “Rockhouse”, “Ramblin Blues”, and “Saint
Louis Blues.”
Big Maybelle
died in a diabetic coma in 1972 in Cleveland, Ohio. Big
Maybelle also died penniless and under-recognized. For
this reason, I feel grateful to give honor where it is
long overdue.
Players on
this CD include:
-
Teeny
Tucker: Lead Vocals
-
Robert
Hughes: All Guitar Tracks
-
Vernon
Hairston: All Keyboards & Hammond B3
-
Drums:
Jeff Peters & Tom Sawyer
-
Bass:
Robert Blackburn
-
Harmonica: David Gastel
The fabulous
background singers include:
-
Mary
Lusco-Ashley;
-
Paula
Brown
-
Jackie
Tate,
Thanks to
Robert and Elaine Hughes for all the support on this
entire project.
Two Big M’s
is due to release on December 30, 2007. By all means,
check it out. I think it is one of my best yet! This CD
was long overdue, but the wait was worth it. ENJOY!
Best regards
to blues lovers everywhere and a special thanks to all
my fans!
Hugs!
Teeny Tucker |
