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source: story and discography on Mayo Williams indies on the site of Robert Campbell and the Red Saunders Research Foundation.
The Legends of the Rocking Dutchman - episode 93

J. Mayo Williams' indies

J. Mayo Williams was the most important producer of Rhythm & Blues of the twenties and thirties, discovering and signing nearly any blues legend you can imagine. Yet when he left Decca in 1944 and decided to start his own record company, nearly all of his roster of artists remained obscurities and his records didn't sell. What went wrong?

Today I try to find an answer on that, of course with the music that was on his labels: Chicago, Southern, Harlem, and Ebony - the latter in three incarnations. Music that's extremely hard to find, as no-one ever made a start of re-releasing the efforts of Mayo Williams. And that, again, highly contributes to the obscurity of his labels and their artists.

Transcript

Playlist

  1. Horse Collar Williams feat. Etta Jones - You Ain't Nothin' Daddy (Chicago 102)
  2. Horse Collar Williams - How Ya Like That (Chicago 102)
  3. James McCain - Good Mr. Roosevelt (Chicago 103)
  4. Lee Brown - Bobbie Town Boogie (Chicago 104)
  5. Mack Sisters - I Love That Carrying On (Chicago 113)
  6. Dossie Terry & Melba Pope's Trio - Whiskey Head Woman (Chicago 119)
  7. Little Four Quartet - Tee U Eee (Southern 122)
  8. Tab Smith - Joy At The Savoy (Southern 124)
  9. Muriel 'Bea Booze' Nichols - See See Rider (Harlem 1003)
  10. Tab Smith feat. Roebie Kirk - Don't Want To Play In The Kitchen (Let's Go Upstairs) (Harlem 1024)
  11. Tab Smith feat. Roebie Kirk - Roebie's Blues (Harlem 1024)
  12. Bill Johnson & His Musical Notes feat. Gus Gordon - Don't You Think I Oughta Know (Harlem 1011)
  13. Stick McGhee - Drinkin' Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee (Harlem 1018)
  14. Birmingham Junior and his Lover Boys - You're too bad (Ebony (3rd incarnation) 1007)
  15. Freddie 'Bama Boy' Hall - This Crooked World (Ebony (3rd incarnation) 1011)
  16. Eagle-Aires - My Number One Baby (Ebony (3rd incarnation) 1014)
  17. Eagle-Aires - Money Honey (Ebony (3rd incarnation) 1015)

Outtro:

  • Wild Bill Moore Sextette - Bongo Bounce
The following music served as background music during the spoken parts:
  • Kirk Kirkland - The Saxaphone Rag
  • Birmingham Junior - Birmingham Late Hours (Ebony (3rd incarnation) 1007)
  • Tab Smith - Tab's Purple Heart (Harlem 1008)
  • Tab Smith - On The Sunny Side Of The Street