Priscilla Stewart 1924-1928

Virtually nothing is known about Priscilla Stewart. An excellent second-level classic blues singer, Stewart recorded 25 performances during 1924-1928, all of which are on this single CD. In the majority of the cases, she is accompanied by pianist Jimmy Blythe, who is in excellent form throughout. Altoist Stump Evans and cornetist Shirley Clay make one appearance apiece, while "Charleston, South Carolina" (which is really "The Charleston") and the two versions of "Charleston Mad" have Stewart sounding somewhat exuberant while joined by Lovie Austin's Blues Serenaders, a quartet with cornetist Tommy Ladnier and clarinetist Jimmy O'Bryant. While basically a blues singer, Stewart shows the ability to switch comfortably to non-blues material, including "Someday Sweetheart." Perhaps that is why she was still recording in 1928, long after the blues craze of the 1920s had subsided. Her voice was quite listenable and she easily overcomes the Paramount label's infamous surface noise. Priscilla Stewart is worth discovering by fans of early blues.