ABSTRACT
The first instrumental blues record was “Memphis Blues” (Victor 17619; 25 Sep 1914). “Memphis Blues” was also the first vocal blues record, sung by Morton Harvey: (Victor 17657; January 1915-with accompaniment by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra). But these were not authentic blues renditions. Al Bernard’s “Hesitation Blues” (Edison Diamond Disc 50524; Blue Amberol cylinder 6621; 19 Feb 1919), was possibly the first authentic vocal blues number to be released, albeit by a white singer. The earliest Black blues vocal was “That Thing Called Love”/“You Can’t Keep a Good Man Down” (Okeh 4113; February 1920, released in July), sung by Mamie Smith, accompanied by a group named the Rega Orchestra; Smith had made a rejected test record of “That Thing Called Love” for Victor in January. She went on to make many more Okeh blues discs, achieving great success, the last being “Keep a Song in Your Soul” (Okeh 8864; 19 Feb 1931). Her great hit was “Crazy Blues” (#4169; 10 Aug 1920). Another pioneer singer was Lucille Hegamin, with “Jazz Me Blues” and “Everybody’s Blues” (Arto 9045; November 1920); she sang for many labels until 1932.
