Crazy Blues

New York: Perry Bradford Music Pub. Co., 1920. Vintage 1920 sheet music for the 1918 song by composer, songwriter, and vaudeville performer Perry Bradford.

Widely considered the first significant hit recording in the Blues genre, and instrumental in the original conception of "race music," laying claim to the first recording of a Blues title by a Black artist.

Originally written for the theater in 1918 under its original title, "Harlem Blues," the song was recorded two years later, and released on the Okeh label as "Crazy Blues" by Mamie Smith and Her Jazz Hounds (featured on the cover of the sheet music found here). Smith had previously had successes performing the song under its original title, which she learned directly from Bradford, who was instrumental in Smith's recording career, having encouraged recording companies to record Smith's rendition.

"Crazy Blues" was entered into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1994, and in 2005 entered into the National Recording Registry.

9.25 x 12.25 inches, Bi-fold with insert. Very Good plus, with light edgewear, two tiny closed tears to the top of rear panel repaired with two small pieces of linen tape, and faint dampstaining to the bottom right of the rear panel (see image).

[Book #169955]