Mattie Delaney

Mattie Delaney (born c. 1905[2] – after 1930)[3] 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 namepossible Mattie Doyle, or Mattie B. Delaney
Bornc. 1905
Mississippi, U.S.
Diedafter 1930
GenresDelta blues
Occupation(s)
  • Musician
  • Singer-songwriter
Instrument(s)
Years active1927[1] – 1930
LabelsVocalion

Career

Delaney may have been born Mattie Doyle south of Tchula, Mississippi,[2] but the researchers Bob Eagle and Eric LeBlanc suggest she was Mattie B. Delaney, born near Goodman, Mississippi.[4] Around 1927 she may have moved to Memphis, Tennessee. Contemporary witnesses remember seeing her perform at Swan Lake, Mississippi.[2] She recorded two songs for Vocalion Records in February 1930.[5] Her song "Down the Big Road Blues" was a variant of Tommy Johnson's "Big Road Blues".[6] One music journalist noted "Delaney issuing a matter-of-fact report in 'Tallahatchie River Blues'".[7] 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.[8]

Two of Delaney's songs were included on the compilation album Mississippi Girls (1928–1931), issued in September 1991.[9]

See also

References
  1. Komara, Edward; Lee, Peter (2004). The Blues Encyclopedia. Routledge. p. 262. ISBN 1135958327.
  2. "Interview by Gayle Dean Wardlow with Henry Austin and Lilly Berry" (PDF). Center for Popular Music. Musicman.mtsu.edu. Retrieved 2014-01-27.
  3. "Mattie Delaney discography". Wirz.de. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
  4. Eagle, Bob; LeBlanc, Eric S. (2013). Blues: A Regional Experience. Santa Barbara, California: Praeger. p. 218. ISBN 978-0313344237.
  6. "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.
  7. Russell, Tony (1997). The Blues: From Robert Johnson to Robert Cray. Dubai: Carlton Books. p. 211. ISBN 1-85868-255-X.
  8. "Mattie Delaney". Goldminemag.com. 2010-10-12. Retrieved 2014-01-27.
  9. 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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