Mellow Mama is an album by the American jazz vocalist Dinah Washington, compiling her early recordings from 1945 with Lucky Thompson and His All Stars that were originally issued by Apollo Records. It was released by the Delmark label in 1992.Jazzlists: Delmark Records discography: 400/500 series accessed October 25, 2019Delmark Records: album details accessed October 25, 2019Jazzdisco: Milt Jackson catalogs accessed October 25, 2019Jazzdisco: Milt Jackson catalogs accessed October 25, 2019
Reception
AllMusic reviewer Scott Yanow stated: "Recorded in Los Angeles during a three-day period, the 12 selections feature the singer with a swinging jazz combo that has tenor-saxophonist Lucky Thompson, trumpeter Karl George, vibraphonist Milt Jackson and bassist Charles Mingus among its eight members. The 21-year-old Washington was already quite distinctive at this early stage and easily handles the blues and jive material with color and humor. Recommended".
Track listing All compositions by John Henry except where noted "Mellow Mama Blues" (Jessie Mae Robinson) – 3:05 "All or Nothing Blues" – 2:49 "Rich Man's Blues" (Thelma Lowe) – 2:51 "Chewin' Mama Blues" – 2:54 "Blues for a Day" – 2:49 "Wise Woman Blues" – 2:46 "My Voot Is Really Vout" – 3:07 "Pacific Coast Blues" (Robinson) – 2:37 "Beggin' Mama Blues" (Wilbert Barranco, Charles Mingus) – 2:49 "Walking Blues" (Lowe) – 2:38 "No Voot, No Boot" (Duke Henderson) – 3:00 "My Lovin' Papa" (Henderson) – 3:02
Personnel Dinah Washington – vocals Karl George – trumpet Jewel Grant – alto saxophone Lucky Thompson – tenor saxophone Gene Porter – baritone saxophone, clarinet Milt Jackson – vibraphone (tracks 1, 3–7 & 9–12) Wilbert Baranco – piano Charles Mingus – bass Lee Young – drums Recorded in Los Angeles on December 10, 1945 (tracks 4, 6, 10 & 11), December 12, 1945 (tracks 2, 3, 9 & 12) and December 13, 1945 (tracks 1, 5, 7 & 8)
References