Ishman Bracey

about

Ishmon Bracey (January 9, 1901 – February 12, 1970) was an American blues singer and guitarist from Mississippi, considered one of the most important early delta blues performers. With Tommy Johnson, he was the center of a small Jackson, Mississippi group of blues musicians in the 1920s. His name is incorrectly spelled "Ishman" on almost all of his records and in most older sources. Bracey was born in Byram, Mississippi, and started playing at local dances and parties around 1917. He also worked as a waterboy on the Illinois Central Railroad. He first recorded in Memphis in 1928 for the Victor label, with Charlie McCoy on second guitar, recording two sessions in February and August that year. At that time his style had not fully formed and his performances varied considerably, probably in his attempts to become more commercially successful. Bracey's blues "Saturday Blues" and "Left Alone Blues", used interesting variations in the usual three line verse form. Bracey was one of the few Mississippi bluesmen who sang with a nasal tone without embellishment. In "Saturday Blues" he used one of the conventional infidelity themes, but he changed the form of the verses to fit a newer melodic concept. His lyrics loosen up enough to sing about skin creams and powder advertised as being able to lighten dark skin. He recorded again in 1931 for Paramount Records with a group called the New Orleans Nehi Boys, which included guitarist Charles Taylor. Bracey's total recorded output is only

top songs

albums

Suitcase Full of Blues 1928-1929

Masters Of The Delta Blues: The Friends Of Charlie Patton

Essential Delta Blues

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Legends of Country Blues

Presenting Ishman Bracey

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First Time I Met The Blues (When The Sun Goes Down Series)

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The Return Of The Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of

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Canned Heat Blues

Saturday Blues

Ishman Bracey (1928 - 1930)

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Mobile Stomp

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Really! The Country Blues: 1927-1933

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