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| “Wish I Had You (And I’m Gonna Get You Blues)” Viola McCoy vocal; Porter Grainger, piano circa September 27, 1923 (Vocalion A 14689) |
| “Mistreatin’ Daddy” Viola McCoy vocal; Porter Grainger, piano circa September 27, 1923 (Vocalion B 14689 |
Here are two pre-microphone-era recordings by blues singer Viola McCoy, which will be among those added to Radio Dismuke’s playlist this week.
She is accompanied on both recordings by pianist Porter Grainger, who similarly backed the recordings of a number of other female blues artists, including Bessie Smith. Grainger can be seen providing piano accompaniment for Mamie Smith in a brief excerpt from the 1929 musical short feature film Jailhouse Blues at this link via YouTube.
Grainger was also a prolific composer and co-wrote both of the songs featured here with Bob Ricketts.