Listeners who only know Tampa Red's hokum material are missing the deeper side of one of the mainstays of Chicago blues. His peers included Big Bill Broonzy, with whom he shared a special friendship. Members of Lester Melrose's musical mafia and drinking buddies, they once managed to sleep through both games of a Chicago White Sox doubleheader. Eventually alcohol caught up with Red, and he blamed his latter-day health problems on an inability to refuse a drink.
During Red's prime, his musical venues ran the gamut of blues institutions: down-home jukes, the streets, the vaudeville theater circuit, and the Chicago club scene. Due to his polish and theater experience, he is often described as a city musician or urban artist in contrast to many of his more limited musical contemporaries. Furthermore, his house served as the blues community's rehearsal hall and an informal booking agency. According to the testimony of Broonzy and Big Joe Williams, Red cared for other musicians by offering them a meal and a place to stay and generally easing their transition from country to city life.
Today's listener will enjoy Tampa Red's expressive vocals and perhaps be taken aback by his kazoo solos. His songwriting has stood the test of time, and any serious slide guitar student had better be familiar with Red's guitar wizardry.
• The Complete Recorded Works Vol. 01 (1928 - 1929) - 01:15:54
01 - Through Train Blues {00:02:47}
02 - The Alley Crap Game {00:03:03}
03 - It's Tight Like That {00:03:04}
04 - Gold Tooth Papa Blues {00:02:41}
05 - Death Bell Blues {00:02:54}
06 - It's Red Hot {00:03:11}
07 - Too Black Bad {00:03:11}
08 - Good Gordon Gin {00:02:51}
09 - Down the Alley {00:03:14}
10 - It's Tight Like That {00:02:48}
11 - How Long How Long Blues {00:03:13}
12 - You Can't Come In {00:03:06}
13 - It's Tight Like That No. 2 {00:02:42}
14 - (Honey) It's Tight Like That {00:02:38}
15 - Big Fat Mama {00:03:38}
16 - Selling that Stuff {00:02:52}
17 - Beedle Um Bum {00:02:49}
18 - Rolling Mill Stomp {00:03:15}
19 - Rolling Mill Stomp {00:03:13}
20 - Panama Blues {00:03:12}
21 - Juicy Lemon Blues {00:03:06}
22 - Chicago Moan Blues {00:03:11}
23 - Strange Woman Blues {00:02:35}
24 - Jelly Whippin' Blues {00:03:11}
25 - Train Time Blues {00:03:17}
• The Complete Recorded Works Vol. 02 (1929) - 01:16:15
01 - It's Tight Like That No. 3 {00:02:51}
02 - Uncle Bud (Dog-Gone Him) {00:02:41}
03 - Train Time Blues {00:03:32}
04 - How Long, How Long Blues {00:03:06}
05 - It's Tight Like That {00:02:49}
06 - Selling That Stuff {00:02:54}
07 - Mess, Katie, Mess {00:02:59}
08 - Sho' Is Hot {00:03:13}
09 - Boot It Boy {00:02:59}
10 - My Daddy Rocks Me (With One Steady Roll) {00:03:32}
11 - Givin' It Away {00:03:07}
12 - What You Gonna Do {00:02:55}
13 - It's So Nice {00:03:20}
14 - Voice Of The Blues {00:03:03}
15 - Come And Go To That Land {00:02:53}
16 - Hold To His Hand {00:02:59}
17 - The Duck Yas-Yas-Yas {00:02:55}
18 - Pat That Bread {00:02:41}
19 - It's Heated {00:03:29}
20 - Jive Man Blues {00:02:51}
21 - What Is It That Tastes Like Gravy {00:02:51}
22 - You Better Tighten Up On It {00:02:47}
23 - Prison Bound Blues {00:03:29}
24 - You Got To Reap What You Sow {00:03:20}
25 - House Rent Scuffle {00:02:49}
• The Complete Recorded Works Vol. 03 (1929 - 1930) - 01:13:13
01 - I Wonder Where My Easy Rider's Gone (Hokum Jug Band) {00:02:48}
02 - Come On Mama, Do That Dance (Hokum Jug Band) {00:02:51}
03 - Friendless Blues {00:03:08}
04 - Mama Don't Allow No Easy Riders Here (Hokum Jug Band) {00:03:15}
05 - Saturday Night Scrontch (Hokum Jug Band) {00:03:16}
06 - Mama Don't Allow No Easy Riders Here {00:02:57}
07 - Strewin' Your Mess {00:02:52}
08 - Dying Mercy Blues {00:03:11}
09 - Whiskey Drinkin' Blues (Jenny Pope, Vcl.) {00:03:16}
10 - Doggin' Me Around Blues (Jenny Pope, Vcl.) {00:03:07}
11 - Worried Man Blues {00:03:21}
12 - Mrs. Baker's Blues {00:03:13}
13 - Corrine Corrina {00:03:00}
14 - Kunjine Baby {00:03:08}
15 - That Stuff You Sell {00:02:19}
16 - Station Time Blues {00:03:05}
17 - Moanin' Heart Blues (Gtr Solo) {00:02:50}
18 - Chicago Moan Blues (Gtr Solo) {00:03:18}
19 - Black Hearted Blues {00:03:01}
20 - But They Got It Fixed Right On {00:02:57}
21 - Corinne Corinna No. 2 {00:02:46}
22 - The Dirty Dozen No. 2 {00:03:16}
23 - I.C. Moan Blues {00:03:01}
24 - Cryin' Shame Blues {00:03:06}
• The Complete Recorded Works Vol. 04 (1930 - 1931) - 01:13:41
01 - You Rascal You No. 2 {00:02:38}
02 - You Rascal You No. 1 {00:03:14}
03 - Have You Ever Been Worried In Mind Part 1 {00:03:11}
04 - Have You Ever Been Worried In Mind Part 2 {00:03:08}
05 - You Baby Can't Get Enough {00:03:13}
06 - Keep Your Yes Ma'am Clean {00:02:42}
07 - You Rascal You {00:02:57}
08 - She Can Love So Good {00:03:18}
09 - Bear Cat's Kittens {00:02:49}
10 - Unhappy Blues {00:02:57}
11 - Jealous Hearted Mama Blues {00:02:58}
12 - They Call It Boogie Woogie {00:02:29}
13 - Toogaloo Blues {00:02:57}
14 - Jinx Doctor Blues {00:03:09}
15 - Boogie Woogie Dance {00:03:14}
16 - Bumble Bee Blues {00:03:29}
17 - New Strangers Blues {00:03:07}
18 - Georgia Hound Blues {00:03:12}
19 - Things 'bout Coming My Way {00:03:31}
20 - Cotton Seed Blues {00:02:57}
21 - Stop And Listen Blues {00:02:58}
22 - Down In Spirit Blues {00:03:00}
23 - Sad News Blues {00:03:23}
24 - Depression Blues {00:02:58}
• The Complete Recorded Works Vol. 05 (1931 - 1934) - 01:12:54
01 - Mama Don't Leave Me Here {00:03:12}
02 - Please Mister Blues {00:02:57}
03 - No Matter How She Done It {00:03:18}
04 - Reckless Man Blues {00:02:52}
05 - Don't Leave Me Here {00:02:46}
06 - Dead Cats On The Line {00:02:49}
07 - You Can't Get That Stuff No More {00:02:52}
08 - Things 'bout Coming My Way No.2 {00:03:14}
09 - Turpentine Blues {00:03:23}
10 - Western Bound Blues {00:03:19}
11 - I'll Kill Your Soul {00:02:58}
12 - If I Let You Get Away With It {00:03:23}
13 - I'll Find My Way {00:03:14}
14 - You've Got To Do Better {00:03:11}
15 - Kingfish Blues {00:03:09}
16 - You Don't Want Me Blues {00:03:24}
17 - Nobody's Sweetheart Now {00:02:49}
18 - That Stuff Is Here {00:03:23}
19 - Sugar Mama Blues No. 1 {00:03:29}
20 - Sugar Mama Blues No. 2 {00:03:21}
21 - Black Angel Blues {00:03:29}
22 - Things 'bout Coming My Way (Gtr Solo) {00:03:16}
23 - Denver Blues (Gtr Solo) {00:02:54}
• The Complete Recorded Works Vol. 06 (1934 - 1935) - 01:07:30
01 - I'm Just Crazy 'bout You {00:02:53}
02 - I Still Got California On My Mind {00:02:58}
03 - Grievin' And Worryin' Blues {00:03:04}
04 - Give It Up Buddy And Get Goin' {00:02:36}
05 - Somebody's Been Using That Thing (Take 1) {00:03:00}
06 - Somebody's Been Using That Thing (Take 2) {00:03:13}
07 - Mean Mistreater Blues {00:02:49}
08 - Happy Jack {00:03:19}
09 - I'm So Disappointed In You {00:02:54}
10 - Worried Devil Blues {00:03:28}
11 - Christmas And New Year's Blues {00:03:26}
12 - Sweet Woman {00:03:21}
13 - I'll Get A Break Some Day {00:02:39}
14 - Witchin' Hour Blues {00:03:16}
15 - Stockyard Fire {00:03:16}
16 - Worthy Of You {00:02:53}
17 - If It Ain't That Old Gal Of Mine {00:03:04}
18 - Mean Old Tom Cat Blues (Take 1) {00:02:56}
19 - Mean Old Tom Cat Blues (Take 2) {00:02:43}
20 - Don't Dog Your Woman {00:03:34}
21 - Singing And Crying Blues {00:03:16}
22 - Shake It Up A Little {00:02:42}
• The Complete Recorded Works Vol. 07 (1935 - 1936) - 01:15:28
01 - My Baby Said Yes {00:02:59}
02 - I'm Betting On You {00:03:00}
03 - Rowdy Woman Blues {00:03:21}
04 - Keep On Dealin' (Play Your Hand) {00:03:29}
05 - (I Could Learn To Love You) So Good {00:03:23}
06 - When I Take My Vacation In Harlem {00:03:11}
07 - Drinkin' My Blues Away {00:02:50}
08 - Dark And Stormy Night {00:03:27}
09 - Good Woman Blues {00:03:04}
10 - You Missed A Good Man {00:03:38}
11 - Waiting Blues {00:03:18}
12 - When You Were A Gal Of Seven {00:03:14}
13 - Let's Get Drunk And Truck {00:03:08}
14 - Maybe It's Someone Else You Love {00:03:29}
15 - I Wonder What's The Matter {00:02:50}
16 - She Don't Know My Mind {00:03:02}
17 - She Don't Know My Mind - Part 2 {00:03:39}
18 - Stormy Seas Blues {00:02:48}
19 - Nutty And Buggy Blues {00:02:43}
20 - You Stole My Heart {00:03:09}
21 - You Got Me Worryin' {00:03:18}
22 - All Night Long {00:02:38}
23 - That's The Way I Do {00:02:59}
24 - I Hate Myself {00:02:41}
• The Complete Recorded Works Vol. 08 (1936 - 1937) - 01:08:40
01 - I Need You by My Side {00:03:28}
02 - Blue and Evil Blues {00:03:09}
03 - If It Wasn't for You {00:03:07}
04 - Right or Wrong {00:03:24}
05 - Stop Truckin' and Suzi-Q {00:02:50}
06 - Cheatin' on Me {00:02:51}
07 - Your One and Only {00:03:01}
08 - My Za Zu Girl {00:02:50}
09 - Someday I'm Bound to Win {00:03:14}
10 - Taking It and Make My Get Away {00:03:05}
11 - She Said It {00:03:14}
12 - It's Hard to Believe It's True {00:03:07}
13 - When Love Comes In {00:02:56}
14 - You Got to Learn to Do It {00:02:54}
15 - I Give My Love to You {00:03:18}
16 - I See You Can't Take It {00:02:48}
17 - My Gal Is Gone {00:03:14}
18 - When the One You Love Is Gone {00:03:08}
19 - You're More Than a Palace to Me {00:03:13}
20 - Harlem Swing {00:03:12}
21 - Oh Babe, Oh Baby {00:03:22}
22 - I'm Gonna Get High {00:03:04}
• The Complete Recorded Works Vol. 09 (1937 - 1938) - 01:06:10
01 - Delta Woman Blues {00:03:07}
02 - Deceitful Friend Blues {00:03:02}
03 - Wrong Idea {00:02:53}
04 - Whoopee Mama {00:02:57}
05 - Travel On {00:02:24}
06 - Seminole Blues {00:03:05}
07 - The Most of Us Do {00:02:50}
08 - We Gonna Get High Together {00:03:13}
09 - Happily Married {00:03:09}
10 - A Lie in My Heart {00:03:14}
11 - Heck of a How-Do-You-Do {00:02:47}
12 - That May Get it Now {00:03:02}
13 - That Don't Matter Now {00:02:43}
14 - Grouchy Hearted Woman {00:02:56}
15 - Why Should I Care {00:03:26}
16 - Got to Leave My Woman {00:03:19}
17 - Now that You've Gone {00:02:58}
18 - Rock it in Rhythm {00:02:55}
19 - I Do {00:03:03}
20 - Sweetest Gal in Town {00:02:37}
21 - Crazy with the Blues {00:03:21}
22 - Love with a Feeling {00:02:58}
• The Complete Recorded Works Vol. 10 (1938 - 1939) - 01:05:52
01 - When Bad Luck Is On You {00:03:13}
02 - When I Had A Good Woman (You Keep On Doggin' Me) {00:03:08}
03 - Mr. Rhythm Man {00:02:54}
04 - Just You And I Alone {00:03:05}
05 - Checkin' Up On You {00:02:48}
06 - Oh Yes My Darling {00:03:05}
07 - Forgive Me Please {00:02:50}
08 - Blues For My Baby {00:03:20}
09 - Hellish Old Feeling {00:03:15}
10 - She Got The Best In Town {00:02:49}
11 - You Say Its Love {00:02:56}
12 - Bessemer Blues {00:02:48}
13 - Please Don't Throw Me Down {00:02:54}
14 - Sad Letter Blues {00:03:05}
15 - Booze Head Woman {00:03:04}
16 - If I Had Known {00:02:49}
17 - You Got To Give Me Some {00:03:15}
18 - Poor Old Gal Blues {00:02:51}
19 - No Good Woman Blues {00:03:18}
20 - Nobody Knows How Bad I Feel {00:02:47}
21 - Ready For Rhythm {00:02:44}
22 - I Got A Big Surprise For You {00:02:44}
• The Complete Recorded Works Vol. 11 (1939 - 1940) - 01:05:18
01 - I'll Try To Forget {00:03:02}
02 - Don't Forget It {00:03:00}
03 - My Two Women {00:03:06}
04 - Sweet Mellow Woman Blues {00:03:02}
05 - Dangerous Woman Blues {00:03:01}
06 - I Don't Care No More {00:02:53}
07 - Anna Lou Blues {00:02:54}
08 - Don't You Lie To Me {00:02:58}
09 - Tired Of Your Reckless Ways {00:02:53}
10 - It Hurts Me Too {00:02:33}
11 - Baby, Take A Chance With Me {00:03:14}
12 - What Am I Going To Do {00:02:59}
13 - The Way To Get The Low Down {00:02:36}
14 - You Say We're Trough {00:02:39}
15 - The Jitter Jump {00:02:54}
16 - I Want To Swing {00:02:51}
17 - Forget About Me {00:02:47}
18 - She Loves Just Right {00:03:05}
19 - This Ain't No Place For Me {00:03:19}
20 - Hard Road Blues {00:02:59}
21 - Noonday Hour Blues {00:03:12}
22 - Poor Little Fellow Blues {00:03:11}
• The Complete Recorded Works Vol. 12 (1941 - 1945) - 01:07:35
01 - Georgia, Georgia Blues {00:02:53}
02 - I Got a Right to Be Blue {00:02:58}
03 - Don't Deal With the Devil {00:02:52}
04 - She's Love Crazy {00:03:02}
05 - It's a Low Down Shame {00:02:55}
06 - You'd Better Be Ready to Go {00:03:03}
07 - No Baby No {00:02:45}
08 - So Far, So Good {00:02:44}
09 - My First Love Blues {00:03:01}
10 - Gin Head Woman {00:02:47}
11 - Don't Jive It Mama {00:02:48}
12 - Gypsy Lady Blues {00:03:04}
13 - Mean and Evil Woman {00:02:53}
14 - Let Me Play With Your Poodle {00:02:39}
15 - She Wants to Sell My Monkey {00:03:22}
16 - You Gonna Miss Me When I'm Gone {00:02:56}
17 - I Ain't Fur It {00:03:08}
18 - The Woman I Love {00:02:45}
19 - Detroit Blues {00:03:06}
20 - Sure Enough I Do {00:02:50}
21 - Lula Mae {00:03:09}
22 - Mercy Mama {00:02:53}
23 - I Can't Get Along With You {00:02:51}
• The Complete Recorded Works Vol. 13 (1945 - 1947) - 01:04:53
01 - Give Me Mine Now {00:02:53}
02 - Better Leave My Gal Alone {00:02:46}
03 - I'll Be Up Again Some Day {00:03:03}
04 - I Oughta Bite You {00:03:04}
05 - Corrine Blues {00:02:45}
06 - Play Proof Mama {00:02:35}
07 - Let's Try It Again {00:03:00}
08 - Maybe, Someday {00:02:43}
09 - Crying Won't Help You {00:03:13}
10 - Please Be Careful {00:03:05}
11 - You May Be Down Someday {00:03:03}
12 - She's A Solid Killer Diller {00:03:25}
13 - Poor Stranger Blues {00:03:01}
14 - New Bad Luck Blues {00:03:19}
15 - I Know My Baby Love's Me {00:02:37}
16 - Blue And All Alone {00:03:05}
17 - You Better Woo Your Baby {00:02:47}
18 - Grieving Blues {00:02:54}
19 - Sugar Baby {00:02:43}
20 - Keep Jumping {00:02:43}
21 - I'll Dig You Sooner Or Later {00:02:58}
22 - Roaming And Rambling {00:03:00}
• The Complete Recorded Works Vol. 14 (1949 - 1951) - 01:05:19
02 - Mr. Charley (Blues) {00:03:09}
03 - Down Behind The Rise {00:03:11}
04 - It's A Brand New Boogey {00:03:00}
05 - Come On, If Your Coming {00:02:54}
06 - Please Try To See It My Way {00:03:07}
07 - When Things Go Wrong With You {00:02:58}
08 - Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is {00:02:52}
09 - That's Her Own Business {00:02:56}
10 - It's Too Late Now {00:02:59}
11 - I'll Find My Way {00:02:38}
12 - 1950 Blues {00:03:17}
13 - It's Good Like That {00:02:35}
14 - Love Her With A Feelin' {00:03:17}
15 - New Deal Blues {00:03:16}
16 - Midnight Boogie {00:02:48}
17 - Don't Blame Shorty For That {00:02:49}
18 - I Miss My Lovin' Blues {00:02:57}
19 - Sweet Little Angel {00:03:00}
20 - Since My Baby's Been Gone {00:02:49}
21 - She's Dynamite {00:02:20}
22 - Pretty Baby Blues {00:03:03}
23 - Early In The Morning {00:03:14}
• The Complete Recorded Works Vol. 15 (1951 - 1953) - 01:02:49
01 - Boogie Woogie Woman {00:02:27}
02 - She's A Cool Operator {00:03:05}
03 - I Won't Let Her Do It {00:02:47}
04 - Green And Lucky Blues {00:02:49}
05 - I'm Gonna Put You Down {00:02:52}
06 - Look A There, Look A There {00:02:45}
07 - True Love {00:02:46}
08 - But I Forgive You {00:02:54}
09 - Too Late Too Long {00:03:03}
10 - I'll Never Let You Go {00:02:23}
11 - All Mixed Up Over You {00:02:50}
12 - Got A Mind To Leave This Town {00:02:40}
13 - Please Mr. Doctor {00:02:53}
14 - I Should Have Loved Her More {00:03:02}
15 - Baby Please Don't {00:03:01}
16 - Beat That Bop {00:03:10}
17 - So Crazy About You Baby {00:03:04}
18 - So Much Trouble {00:03:03}
19 - If She Don't Come Back {00:02:38}
20 - Big Stars Falling Blues {00:03:11}
21 - Rambler's Blues {00:02:46}
22 - Evalena {00:02:28}
