First Came Memphis Minnie

Designed as “a loving tribute to Memphis Minnie (1897-1973), the pioneering blues woman,” Maria Muldaur’s 40th album features a raft of special guests paying homage to the indomitable guitarist (née Lizzie Douglas). A chance encounter 50 years ago with the classic blues singer Victoria Spivey (when Muldaur was just getting started in music) led to her introduction to Minnie, who made more than 200 records during her four-decade career. Muldaur has, as she put it, “joined with some of my Sisters in Music” on this baker’s dozen of songs. Also on board are a few guys (e.g., Roy Rogers, Alvin Youngblood Hart, David Bromberg, Steve Freund) providing support. But, except for Hart, whose vocals help liven up “I’m Goin’ Back Home,” the music focuses on the ladies, spotlighting Bonnie Raitt (a rambunctious “Ain’t Nothin’ in Ramblin’”); Rory Block (a very tasty slide-steeped “When You Love Me”); Del Rey (whose guitar backs up Muldaur on five songs including “Tricks Ain’t Walkin’,” the song that sparked Muldaur’s interest in Minnie); Ruthie Foster (a relaxed “Keep Your Big Mouth Closed”); Phoebe Snow (“In My Girlish Days” from 1976) and Koko Taylor (her 2007 “Black Rat Swing”). Muldaur is in super fine form and her version of the iconic “Chauffeur Blues” heads this terrific tribute.