HMR Project: History of Music & Modern Recording

Early Blues of Curley Weaver

Birth of the Blues: Curley Weaver

Curley Weaver

Curley Weaver had been born in Covington, Georgia, on 25 March of 1906. He was a popular street musician in Atlanta together with his friend, Robert Hicks (Barbecue Bob), and it was Hicks who got Weaver his first recording contract in 1928 to lay out 'Sweet Petunia' and 'No No Blues' (Columbia 14386-D) on October 28 in Atlanta. Weaver next recorded four tracks in Long Island City (NYC) circa May 26, 1929, with Eddie Mapp, whom he had known in Atlanta, on harmonica: 'Dirty Deal Blues', 'It's the Best Stuff Yet', 'No No Blues' and 'Ta Ta Blues'.

'Sweet Petunia' Curley Weaver

Weaver's first recording to issue

26 Oct 1928 in Atlanta Matrix 147304-2 Columbia 14386-D

Composition: Lucille Bogan

'No No Blues' Curley Weaver w Eddie Mapp (harmonica)

26 May 1929 in Long Island City NYC Matrix 464-A QRS R7082

Composition: Traditional taught to Weaver by his mother

In 1930 Weaver put away four titles with the Georgia Cotton Pickers including Barbecue Bob and Buddy Moss in early December: 'Diddle-Da-Diddle', 'She's Coming Back Some Cold Rainy Day', 'I'm On My Way Down Home' and 'She Looks So Good'.

'She's Coming Back Some Cold Rainy Day' Curley Weaver w the Georgia Cotton Pickers

8 Dec 1930 in Atlanta Matrix 151106-2 Columbia 14577-D

Harmonica: Buddy Moss Guitar / vocal: Barbecue Bob (Robert Hicks)

Composition: Thomas A. Dorsey

In 1931 Weaver joined sessions with Ruth (Mary) Willis and Clarence Moore. It was tracks with Ruth Willis, Fred McMullen and Buddy Moss in 1933, also recording name titles like 'No No Blues' and 'Early Morning Blues'.

'Some Cold Rainy Day' Curley Weaver w Ruth Willis (vocal)

18 Jan 1933 in NYC Matrix 12933-2 Banner 32685

Guitar: Fred McMullen or Buddy Moss

Composition: Thomas A. Dorsey

Others with whom Weaver recorded include Blind Willie McTell, such as with Ruth Willis in 1931 above. McTell and Weaver backed one another numerously in the early thirties. They last recorded together in 1935, after which Weaver made no more records for nearly fifteen years until McTell supported him on 'My Baby's Gone' and 'Ticket Agent' in October 1949. Though McTell had put away numerous tracks minus Weaver in 1936, he also ceased to record again until 1949 with Weaver. They may not have made any records, but McTell and Weaver were close and very likely performed together in a loose partnership throughout those years. Weaver's last tracks in May 1950 were with McTell, including their last issue together on Regal 3277 as the Pig 'N' Whistle Band: 'Love Changing Blues' and 'Talkin' to You Mama'.