Females have never figured strongly in the ranks of blues and rock guitar players, but the woman featured on this LP can claim to be one of the formative influences on modern rock ‘n’ roll guitar.
This collection of songs by Lead Belly was assembled by Folkways founder Moses Asch from recordings made in the early to mid-1940s, and it focuses primarily on Lead Belly’s observations on the hate and racism that permeated America and the world during this turbulent period of history.
“Her voice is gutsy, earthy and coarse, but at the same time there is a beauty, sensitivity and control to everything she does.” Big Mama created tension without harshness, excitement without strain. She can make you weep.