Mattie Delaney

Mattie Delaney (born c. 1905;[1] date of death unknown) was an American Delta blues singer and guitarist active in the 1930s. Only two recordings by her are known: "Down the Big Road Blues" and "Tallahatchie River Blues".

Mattie Delaney
Birth nameMattie Doyle (possible)
Bornc. 1905
DiedUnknown
GenresDelta blues
Occupation(s)Singer, guitarist, songwriter
InstrumentsVocals, guitar
Years activeEarly 1930s
LabelsVocalion

Career

Delaney may have been born Mattie Doyle south of Tchula, Mississippi,[1] but the researchers Bob Eagle and Eric LeBlanc suggest she was Mattie B. Delaney, born near Goodman, Mississippi.[2] Around 1927 she may have moved to Memphis, Tennessee. Contemporary witnesses remember seeing her perform at Swan Lake, Mississippi.[1] She recorded two songs for Vocalion Records in February 1930.[3] Her song "Down the Big Road Blues" was a variant of Tommy Johnson's "Big Road Blues".[4] One music journalist noted "Delaney issuing a matter-of-fact report in 'Tallahatchie River Blues'".[5] She was unusual for a female performer of the time, in that she played guitar accompaniment and sang topical songs. Nothing is known of her life after the recordings.[6]

Two of Delaney's songs were included on the compilation album Mississippi Girls (1928–1931), issued in September 1991.[7]

See also

References
  1. "Interview by Gayle Dean Wardlow with Henry Austin and Lilly Berry" (PDF). Center for Popular Music. Musicman.mtsu.edu. Retrieved 2014-01-27.
  2. Eagle, Bob; LeBlanc, Eric S. (2013). Blues: A Regional Experience. Santa Barbara, California: Praeger. p. 218. ISBN 978-0313344237.
  4. "Big Road Blues Show 12/2/07: Forgotten Blues Ladies: I Ain't Your Hen Mister Fly Rooster | Big Road Blues". Sundayblues.org. 2007-12-02. Retrieved 2014-01-27.
  5. Russell, Tony (1997). The Blues: From Robert Johnson to Robert Cray. Dubai: Carlton Books. p. 211. ISBN 1-85868-255-X.
  6. "Mattie Delaney". Goldminemag.com. 2010-10-12. Retrieved 2014-01-27.
  7. Hoffman, Larry (1928-02-03). "Various artists, Mississippi Girls (1928–1931): Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic.com. Retrieved 2014-01-27.
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