Lottie Kimbrough
Encyclopedia
Lottie Kimbrough was an American
country blues
singer, who was also billed as Lottie Kimborough, Lottie Beaman, and Lena Kimbrough (amongst several others). Kimbrough was a large woman, and was nickname
d "the Kansas City Butterball". Her recording career lasted from 1924 to 1929, however Allmusic journalist
Burgin Mathews stated "Kimbrough's vocal power, and the unique arrangements of several of her best pieces, rank her as one of the sizable talents of the 1920s blues tradition.
, Kansas City, Missouri
, and retained close links to her local community. She was managed by Winston Holmes, himself a local musician
and music promoter
. Her music career began in the early part of the 1920s, when she performed in Kansas City's nightclub
s and speakeasy
s. In 1924 she undertook her first recording
session at Paramount Records
, where she was recorded alongside Ma Rainey
. Her earliest recordings used the twins Milas (banjo
) and Miles Pruitt (guitar
), whilst she was later backed by Jimmy Blythe
(piano
). In 1925 she shared recording studio
space with Papa Charlie Jackson
. The same year she cut some tracks for the Holmes owned Merrit Records
.
As time progressed, Kimbrough recorded and performed using a number of pseudonyms. Whilst she used her married name, Lottie Beaman, on almost half of her tracks, Holmes suggested for her 1926 recording sessions that she was renamed Lena Kimbrough. More pertinently her manager substituted a photograph of Kimbrough's more photogenic sister, Estella, for Lottie's publicity purposes. She also appeared billed as either Clara Cary or Mae Moran. She further recorded in Richmond, Indiana
, and alternate namings were used for issues by Gennett
, Champion
(billed as Lottie Emerson), Supertone
(as Lottie Brown) and Superior Records (as Martha Johnson). Her Gennett sessions included the tracks "Rolling Log Blues" and "Goin' Away Blues", which music journalist Tony Russell described as having "haunting beauty".
Kimbrough's brother Sylvester appeared with her in vaudeville
, and in 1926 he supplied recording accompaniment with Paul Banks' Kansas City Trio. Nevertheless, it was Kimbrough's musical collaboration with Holmes which provided her better known recordings. Holmes supplied a series of yodel
s, and vocalised bird calls and train whistle
s on both "Lost Lover Blues" and "Wayward Girl Blues" (1928). Miles Pruitt was part of this recording and was a regular partner throughout Kimbrough's recording and concert career. He was featured again when Kimbrough recorded her final session in November 1929.
Her self-penned song "Rolling Log Blues" has subsequently been recorded by Jo Ann Kelly
, Woody Mann
, Son House
, The Blues Band
, Rory Block
, Eric Bibb
, and Maria Muldaur
.
Little is known of her life beyond her recording career.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
country blues
Country blues
Country blues is a general term that refers to all the acoustic, mainly guitar-driven forms of the blues. It often incorporated elements of rural gospel, ragtime, hillbilly, and dixieland jazz...
singer, who was also billed as Lottie Kimborough, Lottie Beaman, and Lena Kimbrough (amongst several others). Kimbrough was a large woman, and was nickname
Nickname
A nickname is "a usually familiar or humorous but sometimes pointed or cruel name given to a person or place, as a supposedly appropriate replacement for or addition to the proper name.", or a name similar in origin and pronunciation from the original name....
d "the Kansas City Butterball". Her recording career lasted from 1924 to 1929, however Allmusic journalist
Music journalism
Music journalism is criticism and reportage about music. It began in the eighteenth century as comment on what is now thought of as 'classical music'. This aspect of music journalism, today often referred to as music criticism , comprises the study, discussion, evaluation, and interpretation of...
Burgin Mathews stated "Kimbrough's vocal power, and the unique arrangements of several of her best pieces, rank her as one of the sizable talents of the 1920s blues tradition.
Biography
Kimbrough was born in West BottomsWest Bottoms
The West Bottoms is an industrial area immediately to the west of downtown Kansas City, Missouri at the confluence of the Missouri River and the Kansas River. The area is one of the oldest areas of the city....
, Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
, and retained close links to her local community. She was managed by Winston Holmes, himself a local musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
and music promoter
Promoter (entertainment)
An entertainment promoter i.e. music, wrestling, boxing etc is a person or company in the business of marketing and promoting live events such as concerts/gigs, boxing matches, sports entertainment , festivals, raves, and nightclubs.- Business model :Promoters are typically hired as independent...
. Her music career began in the early part of the 1920s, when she performed in Kansas City's nightclub
Nightclub
A nightclub is an entertainment venue which usually operates late into the night...
s and speakeasy
Speakeasy
A speakeasy, also called a blind pig or blind tiger, is an establishment that illegally sells alcoholic beverages. Such establishments came into prominence in the United States during the period known as Prohibition...
s. In 1924 she undertook her first recording
Sound recording and reproduction
Sound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
session at Paramount Records
Paramount Records
Paramount Records was an American record label, best known for its recordings of African-American jazz and blues in the 1920s and early 1930s, including such artists as Ma Rainey and Blind Lemon Jefferson.-Early years:...
, where she was recorded alongside Ma Rainey
Ma Rainey
Ma Rainey was one of the earliest known American professional blues singers and one of the first generation of such singers to record. She was billed as The Mother of the Blues....
. Her earliest recordings used the twins Milas (banjo
Banjo
In the 1830s Sweeney became the first white man to play the banjo on stage. His version of the instrument replaced the gourd with a drum-like sound box and included four full-length strings alongside a short fifth-string. There is no proof, however, that Sweeney invented either innovation. This new...
) and Miles Pruitt (guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
), whilst she was later backed by Jimmy Blythe
Jimmy Blythe
Jimmy Blythe was an influential American jazz and boogie-woogie pianist.-Life:He was born in Louisville, Kentucky, United States, and moved to Chicago, Illinois around 1916, studying with pianist Clarence Jones...
(piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
). In 1925 she shared recording studio
Recording studio
A recording studio is a facility for sound recording and mixing. Ideally both the recording and monitoring spaces are specially designed by an acoustician to achieve optimum acoustic properties...
space with Papa Charlie Jackson
Papa Charlie Jackson
Papa Charlie Jackson was an early American bluesman and songster. He played a hybrid banjo guitar and ukulele, his recording career beginning in 1924...
. The same year she cut some tracks for the Holmes owned Merrit Records
Merrit Records
Merrit Records was a small record label of the 1920s, known for its recordings of African American performers.Merrit was manufactured by the Winston Homes Music Company of Kansas City, Missouri, a music store and publisher who set up their own recording studio...
.
As time progressed, Kimbrough recorded and performed using a number of pseudonyms. Whilst she used her married name, Lottie Beaman, on almost half of her tracks, Holmes suggested for her 1926 recording sessions that she was renamed Lena Kimbrough. More pertinently her manager substituted a photograph of Kimbrough's more photogenic sister, Estella, for Lottie's publicity purposes. She also appeared billed as either Clara Cary or Mae Moran. She further recorded in Richmond, Indiana
Richmond, Indiana
Richmond is a city largely within Wayne Township, Wayne County, in east central Indiana, United States, which borders Ohio. The city also includes the Richmond Municipal Airport, which is in Boston Township and separated from the rest of the city...
, and alternate namings were used for issues by Gennett
Gennett Records
Gennett was a United States based record label which flourished in the 1920s.-Label history:Gennett records was founded in Richmond, Indiana by the Starr Piano Company, and released its first records in October 1917. The company took its name from its top managers: Harry, Fred and Clarence Gennett....
, Champion
Champion Records
The name Champion Records has been used by at least four record labels.An early Champion label was produced by Gennett Records as an inexpensive label that featured country or "hillbilly" artists, as well as popular bands, hot jazz and blues...
(billed as Lottie Emerson), Supertone
Supertone Records
Supertone Records was a United States record label of the 1920s. Supertone Records were marketed by Sears, Roebuck & Co..Supertone was one of several record disc brand names marketed by Sears....
(as Lottie Brown) and Superior Records (as Martha Johnson). Her Gennett sessions included the tracks "Rolling Log Blues" and "Goin' Away Blues", which music journalist Tony Russell described as having "haunting beauty".
Kimbrough's brother Sylvester appeared with her in vaudeville
Vaudeville
Vaudeville was a theatrical genre of variety entertainment in the United States and Canada from the early 1880s until the early 1930s. Each performance was made up of a series of separate, unrelated acts grouped together on a common bill...
, and in 1926 he supplied recording accompaniment with Paul Banks' Kansas City Trio. Nevertheless, it was Kimbrough's musical collaboration with Holmes which provided her better known recordings. Holmes supplied a series of yodel
Yodeling
Yodeling is a form of singing that involves singing an extended note which rapidly and repeatedly changes in pitch from the vocal or chest register to the falsetto/head register; making a high-low-high-low sound.The English word yodel is derived from a German word jodeln meaning "to...
s, and vocalised bird calls and train whistle
Train whistle
A train whistle or air whistle, , is an audible signaling device on a steam locomotive used to warn that the train is approaching, and to communicate with rail workers....
s on both "Lost Lover Blues" and "Wayward Girl Blues" (1928). Miles Pruitt was part of this recording and was a regular partner throughout Kimbrough's recording and concert career. He was featured again when Kimbrough recorded her final session in November 1929.
Her self-penned song "Rolling Log Blues" has subsequently been recorded by Jo Ann Kelly
Jo Ann Kelly
Jo Ann Kelly was an English blues singer and guitarist. "To many American performers", an obituarist wrote, "Jo Ann Kelly was the only British singer to earn their respect for her development of what they would be justified in thinking as 'their' genre".-Life and career:Kelly was born in...
, Woody Mann
Woody Mann
-Biography:Mann specializes in jazz, blues, and American roots music.He was born in New York, where he first studied acoustic guitar with ragtime and blues guitarist Reverend Gary Davis from 1968-72. From 1973-78, Mann continued private lessons, focusing on improvisation with jazz pianist Lennie...
, Son House
Son House
Eddie James "Son" House, Jr. was an American blues singer and guitarist. House pioneered an innovative style featuring strong, repetitive rhythms, often played with the aid of slide guitar, and his singing often incorporated elements of southern gospel and spiritual music...
, The Blues Band
The Blues Band
The Blues Band is a British blues band formed in 1979 by Paul Jones, former lead vocalist and harmonica player with Manfred Mann, and vocalist/slide guitarist Dave Kelly, who had previously played with the John Dummer Blues Band, Howlin' Wolf and John Lee Hooker...
, Rory Block
Rory Block
-Festival appearances:*Long Beach Blues Festival - 1993*San Francisco Blues Festival - 1999*Notodden Blues Festival - 2006-See also:*List of blues musicians*List of contemporary blues musicians*List of Austin City Limits performers-External links:****...
, Eric Bibb
Eric Bibb
Eric Bibb is an American acoustic blues singer-songwriter. He is based in London and launched his career in Europe. Today he lives in Finland.-Biography:...
, and Maria Muldaur
Maria Muldaur
Maria Muldaur is a folk-blues singer who was part of the American folk music revival in the early 1960s...
.
Little is known of her life beyond her recording career.
Selected compilation albums
- Lottie Kimbrough & Winston Holmes (1928-1929) - Wolf
- Kansas City Blues 1924-1929 - DocumentDocument RecordsDocument Records is a British record label that specializes in early American blues, bluegrass, gospel, spirituals jazz, and other rural American genres , generally made between 1900 and 1945...
, 1993
External links
- Images at Google.co.uk - note several of the photographic images shown are not of Kimbrough.
- Wolf Records - Country Blues Women - Vol. I