Sophie Tucker - Last of the Red Hot Mamas (CD)

All Music Guide

From her years in vaudeville Sophie Tucker learned how to make physical and vocal gestures that were bigger than life and she fashioned a bawdy persona through her recordings that made her a household name in the 1920s and '30s. But she understood jazz, too, and her best sides show the subtle touches of a solid singer, while even her most overthetop comedic tracks worked largely due to her impeccable vocal timing. This set of mono recordings released between 1923 and 1937 includes her signature tune, the still impressive "Some of These Days," a fine turn on "I Ain't Got Nobody," and a slightly theatrical but still effective reading of "Blue River." In all, Last of the Red Hot Mamas makes a fine introduction to this oftcited but seldom actually listened to entertainer.

- Steve Leggett, All Music Guide