Lee Morse-1924 - Mail Man Blues

Born 1897 in Portland, Oregon, Lena Taylor aka Lee Morse grew up in Idaho. She was a unique singer and had to be billed in her early records as "Miss" Lee Morse so the public would not confuse her as being a male singer. She sang blues, jazz, and had a yodel like phrasing that was her trademark. Her singing career began at age 3 when the family was traveling through Colorado in the early 1900s and ran short of funds. Dad -PJ, a Baptist preacher, and mother Olive, had taught the kids how to sing so they arranged a show for the local gold miners. Lena was billed as "the little girl with the big voice". Her solo was the final act and when the "stage natural" 3 year old coquette sang "Hello Central Give Me Heaven for My Mama's There" the tough miners were reduced to tears, a small fortune in gold was showered on the stage and a star was born. Enough money was raised in two weeks of performances to buy an Oregon ranch.
MailMan Blues was only the second of many songs written by Lee and only her fourth recording during her prolific recording, stage, Broadway and acting career. The song must have been a favorite of Lee's for she featured it in 2 of the 3 ten minute Soundies she made. In 1926, she was America's most popular recording artist and all but unknown today. Recorded 10-7-24, Pathe Actuelle, New York.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Lee Morse
• Blues
• 1920s
• 78s
• 78RPM
• Mail
• Man
• The
• Music
• Racket

[Squarerig]

Another moving voice from a bygone era.Truly delightful.Thank you so much for bringing this fine blues singer to our attention.

[preservationhall01]

@Squarerig . . .and thanks for your complimentary comment on Ms. Morse's vocals. If your interested in seeing a 7 1/2 minute "soundie" film of her singing her Mail Man Blues, search (Lee Morse-The Music Racket-1930 Film) which I posted on this channel several years ago.

[Purpledragon979]

Lee Morse has waved her magic on me! An amazing and individual voice which sounds like no other. A singer/songwriter before her time! Thank you for sharing it.

[preservationhall01]

@Purpledragon979 Glad you enjoyed this. She had a most iteresting life becoming a stage star by accident at a very young age.

[ManilaSyndicate]

Another fine song from perhaps the deepest-voiced white female singer of her time.

[preservationhall01]

@ManilaSyndicate She was billed as MS Lee Morse so people would know she was a gal. Between her name and voice, I suppose it was confusing before the TV and internet days when singers were rarely seen except for stills.

[Iskalla]

It's crazy, I'm 21 and listen to popular blues and jazz, but the Internet makes really awesome, underrated artists like this accessible to me. Thanks for sharing.

[rievans57]

There's a dab of country in here. Absolutely beautiful.

[ManilaSyndicate]

@preservationhall01 True.

[Rinrince]

@Urbino237 My youngsters ? I'm younger than this guy and I don't feel like I need to brag about my age here. Should I go "omg I'm only XX years and I listen to this" on every jazz/blues video like so many people do ? I don't think they even enjoy the music, they just need something to feel proud / different about.

[Urbino237]

@Rinrince Hey - didn't your grandma tell you to not say anything unless it was nice? Speak for yourself. It is young people who bring enthusiasm, fresh ideas and energy of change to music world-wide, so respect your youngsters.

[terrisonb]

I can't believe that I have never heard this before. This is great....and apparently Jimmie Rogers borrowed a line or two from this song for one of his.