Mams Carter - Rain On The Window Blues

We here at Big And Tall Records are always excited when we get a song form Mams Carter. We're big fans of her boogie-woogie songs, and there is no one that sings the blues like Mams! And we should know, for we've got a formidable catalog of blues singers, each one of them unique in their own way. What makes Mams different from the rest is  that she was a stay at home mom for years, raising her kids by herself after her husband passed away.  She played piano in church for years and her son Amos Carter, one of our artists as well, told us that when they didn't do what they should, she'd seldom holler, never spanked or hit them, but she would give them a solid lecture on why they should do what they should, and they'd end up singing church hymns afterwards! She didn't do it to punish them,but to try and instill in them good values. 

But Amos has said that it was torture for them, especially singing church hymns because his Mom would go through all the stanzas, and the number of hymns would b e commensurate with the degree of the 'crime'. Amos said, "Me and my other brothers would've rather had an ass whoppin', to tell the truth! But she knew what she was doing. We're not involved with the church any more (and neither is she) but we've all got an abiding respect for our heritage and we actually like church hymns!"

Mams didn't datge at all until her kids were older. Not been married again, but has had a few serious relationships that sadly have turned sour. She's always played here piano, an old upright they bought used years ago. Amos has tried to buy her a grand piano, but she always waved it off, said she liked her old upright. It's got character! Amos coaxed her into filling in when the piano player in his boogie-woogie band was out of commission for a while, and after the initial jitters, she took right off and started enjoying it. She played on a few recordings Amos made, and we heard how she could play boogie-woogie, and offered her a chance to make a demo.  That demo was so good, we released it: Who Needs It? The song did well enough that we offered her a contract, and she signed up. Her next song kind of surprised us. We had no idea she could write a song like this, or sing it so well :The Blues Done Got Me So Bad. Since those two releases she's followed the pattern of a snappy, boogie-woogie type song with a bluesy, meditative one. She knew what she wanted right off the bat with her blues songs; her solo piano and a string orchestra, and they always sound so good together! 

Like many a blues singer, she doesn't really give any specific reason for the blues she sings, except for the rainy day. But that's why the blues is such a wonderful form. From a hard driving blues to one in this style, there is a wide range of emotions and moods to choose from. Our producers tell us she has taught herself how to arrange her songs herself, including teaching her self orchestration for the strings. We're so very thankful such a talented musician is one of our artists! 

Rain on the window, mud in the yard
Air so thick it makes me breathe hard
My blouse is clinging like it knows my name
Every single corner is wet from the rain
 
I tried to shake it, but it's goin' slow
Weight on my shoulders, rain won't go
 
The rain has brought me down
(I'm feeling so blue)
I feel like skippin' town
(What am I gonna do?)
Humidity got me hot and damp
(Wanna wring myself dry)
Feels like my heart's in a clamp
(Keep askin' myself why)
 
Dirty pots in the sink... porch all wet
Keep thinking 'bout things... I can't forget
Cat's under the chair, the phone stays still
Even my old heart can't pay this bill
 
I tried to smile but the sky won
A damp blanket when the day is done
 
 Rain has dampened my heart
(I'm feeling so blue)
I just don't know where to start
(What am I gonna do?)
I feel so uptight, distressed
(Wanna wring myself dry)
My life right now is such a mess!
(Keep askin' myself why)
 
Maybe tomorrow the sun will glow
And I won't be feelin' so damn low
Tonight I'm an old shed with a leaking roof
Look at my eyes if you need proof
 
It's late, but I can't sleep
(I'm feeling so blue)
The blues has got me deep
(What am I gonna do?)
My body's wore out and tired
(Wanna wring myself dry)
But my mind is troubled... and wired
(Keep askin' myself why)