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)
 

Mams Carter - Hanky Panky

Mams Carter flexes her boogie woogie muscles in this new song Hanky Panky. LIke most of her recordings, her son Amos Carter plays the double bass. Amos records for us here at Big And Tall Records, but has not had a recording for awhile. He's probably been busy working at Delmar Gentry's farm taking care of horses, and playing gigs with his own boogie-woogie band. Mother and son play together quite a bit, although she doesn't play many public gigs as she's not fond of public performance. She likes smaller, more intimate gatherings, and she's developed a fondness for recording.

There's a great big difference.
Between needing and wanting a man .
At this point in my life
I'd sure want one, if I can.
Once in a while, spend together,
Just being there to hang out
Companionship is what I'm after
Don't want to just lay about
 
Got some things I just can't abide
Smokin' makes the breath too stinky!
Without bein' fussy, just nice and clean
Just in case I want some hanky panky!
 
Don't want a man hangin' on me
Every hour of the day!
Don't want somebody that's so needy
That worships every word that I say!
Don't want Sir Walter Raleigh
Spreading out no damn drape
Over a sloppy mud puddle
Don't want no man that wears a cape!
 
Got some things I just can't abide
If they're mean in heart and spirit
If they love animals, a good sign
That sounds like you, let's hear it!
 
Sounds like I'm particular
Guess what...I sure am!
Don't want to waste any time
With a mopin',surly man
Everyone has their sad times
Not what I'm talkin' about
But some men are just crab assed
Ain't what I'm all about!
 
Got some things I just can't abide
A man that doesn't respect,
A woman as a human being
That doesn't deserve neglect!
 
So there ya go, my strict no-nos
Don't mind a bit of a paunch
But if you've got a big beer gut
I sure would give you a launch
Health as we age gets touchy,
We all surely have our ills.
I got my share, but can still get around
AS long as I take all my pills!
 
Got some things I just can't abide
Smokin' makes the breath too stinky!
Without bein' fussy, just nice and clean
Just in case...
I want some...
 Hanky panky! 

Mams Carter - Be Who You Are

 

Mams Carter may be known for her great boogie woogie piano chops, but she's making a name for herself with her renditions of the blues as well. The gentle nature of this song is underlined by the soft strings backing her up and the solo guitar, as well as her calm piano playing. She is proving to be quite a versatile artist and has been busy writing more songs to perform. We are honored here at Big And Tall Records to be the company to promote and release her music! 

Taken me a long time to figure it all out
They say hardest person to know is your self
That adage is true, at least in my case
But now it is time to take stock of myself
 
Can take a long time to discover
Just who it is that you are
That with or without a lover
Be your own person, be who you are
 
Always thought that I wasn't complete
Unless I was in a relationship
But after some mistakes and misfires
I'm tired of the self-inflicted guilt trip
 
Always took a long time to recover
After a love just turned sour
What was I to do, by myself
I'd pine away, from hour to hour
 
Can take a long time to discover
Just who it is that you are
That with or without a lover
Be your own person, be who you are

Mams Carter - Not Lookin' For Love Anymore

 Mams Carter began her recording career as the pianist in her son Amos Carter's (a Big and Tall Records artist too!) boogie woogie band. She continues to record original songs, the last few being blues related. In this song, Not Lookin' For Love Anymore she returns to boogie woogie. She accompanies her contralto voice with her boogie woogie piano riffs along with brass and guitar in the background. As usual, when he's available her son Amos supports the bass line with his double bass

Ever lose somethin',
Look all around
No matter where you look,
It just can't be found
You try to keep focused,
Try really hard
But you don't find it 'til
You let down your guard
 
I'm not lookin' for love anymore
Don't need to, just don't
Like that thing you lost that you found
Love will find me, or it won't!
 
I've looked too damn
Hard for love anyway
Trust me, lookin' that
Hard just don't pay!
You can't force it
I've learned that so well
Fell flat on my face,
Too many times, to tell!
 
I'm not lookin' for love anymore
Don't need to, just don't
Like that thing you lost that you found
Love will find me, or it won't!
 
And what if it never finds me again?
What in hell will I say then?
Will I regret all of my inaction
Be to my heart a real infraction?
 
I'm not lookin' for love anymore
Don't need to, just don't
Like that thing you lost that you found
Love will find me, or it won't!
 
And what if it never finds me again?
What in hell will I say then?
Will I regret all of my inaction
Be to my heart a real infraction?
 
I'm not lookin' for love anymore
Don't need to, just don't
Like that thing you lost that you found
Love will find me, or it won't

Mams Carter - That's The Nature Of Things

Mams Carter is making a name for herself as a blues singer, which is different from one of the top Honkie-Tonk  and Boogie-Woogie piano players on tour. She plays gigs with her son Amos Carter (who is one of our artists as well) and his Boogie-Woogie band, and she plays a piano solo along with her vocals once or twice at each gig.  She has a very expressive contralto voice that has richness and depth, as well as a good range towards the top of her range. She's recorded two blues songs for us, and That's The Nature Of Things follows her first blues song, The Blues Done Got Me So Bad, in using a string orchestra backing her piano and voice. It's a notch above just easy listening, as her passion does come through, especially with her first song, but there's also a mellowness she has in her voice that blends perfectly with strings. She keeps her piano accompaniment very basic, and lays down a good foundation for the songs she sings. 

Memories and dreams of many who passed come before my eye
A little nostalgic, and sad, but it's no reason to cry
Of course I’d like them not to have left, and it surely is no sin
To be glad to see them, if only in dreams or memories, again
 
I see their faces in many foggy forms
Shadows in the dark of night, in my mind of storms
Not apparitions or ghostly in any way
Sometimes a fleeting glance, sometimes a long stay
 
That’s the nature of things we get so little time
To spend among the living, experience the sublime
All of the pleasures and all of the gladness
Tied up with the dark ribbon of sadness
 
Don't get me wrong I'm happy for the ones still here
I don't live my life full of anguish, worry and fear
But I've known so many that are now long time gone
I miss them but I will continue to grow and stay strong
 
We've all got lives to continue, be a shame to waste it
I'm committed to experience, each and every bit
And I'll look forward to those times when I will see
Those people and things that are close to me
 
That’s the nature of things we get so little time
To spend among the living, experience the sublime
All of the pleasures and all of the gladness
Tied up with the dark ribbon of sadness 

Mams Carter - The Blues Done Got Me So Bad

We've heard Mams Carter before on some of Amos Carter's songs, (who happens to be her son) and one other solo. This is the first time we've heard her sing the blues. And she's good! In a song of her own writing,  The Blues Done Got Me So Bad, she accompanies herself on the piano as a string orchestra plays in the background. Her voice is perfect for the song, and displays her understanding of the blues style. Her voice conveys the sadness and anger that goes along with a breakup. Her son gave a little insight into the music:

This song is a follow up to her first solo song, Who Needs It? I know she really loved this guy, and it appeared the feeling was mutual. Outside of her kids and grandkids, Momma has been alone for a long time, so I understood when she started to date. This guy reeled her in, lied left and right and was good at it. Showed her a man that she wanted, but it was an  act. So this song reflects Momma's heartache over loving someone that ended up no good for her, and the breakup.

We have it on Amos' authority that his Mother can play in a lot of different styles, so we hope she shows us more of her versatility in the future!

Had the blues all goddam day long
Been grumpy, all irritated too
I started to sing this song
To try and feel not so blue

The blues... done got me so bad
Sullen and glum, feel so damn bad
I been without him, for so long
Tryin' to cure my sadness...with this song

Rememberin' all the good times
Then the bad memories kick in
Now my unhappy mood still climbs
I thought there's no way we could win

The blues... done got me so bad
Sullen and glum, feel so damn bad
I been without him, for so long
Tryin' to cure my sadness...with this song

Yes, he was a son of a bitch
He lied about so many things
Tried to pull the ol' bait and switch
But the pain of it...still stings!

The blues... done got me so bad
And it makes me so goddam mad!
He's not worth, pain and agony
He wasn't no damned good... for me...

Mams Carter - Who Needs It?

 Amos Carter's mother, who has played played on a few of his songs, comes out with a recording of her own, Who Needs It?. She asked if instead of Mama Carter as she was credited on other recordings she could use Mams Carter. She's got a passel of Grand kids and they all call her Mams, and of course we agreed. 

Amos told us about his Mom:

I grew up hearing Mama play the piano. She played everything; classical stuff like Chopin and Mozart, was a church pianist off and on so a lot of hymns, blues, big band, and especially boogie woogie. She could sit and play just off  the top of her head, improvise as she went, something I could never do on the piano. I took lessons when I was a kid, but didn't have much interest in it. Taught me  theory and stuff like that, but wasn't into playing much other than picking out tunes. The bass fiddle's my instrument! Bass guitar too. I can improvise a bass line okay, but Mama is her own one-woman band! It's a real joy playing along with her on gigs and recordings, and let me tell  ya, she's a real pro! Believes in rehearsing the hell out of stuff until it suits her! With this song she gave us the chords she was going to use, pretty much basic stuff with a few curve balls, and we'd hold down the harmonic backing as she'd riff on the chords and sing as she went! Mama's the real musician in the family, and I'm, glad she's getting her talent recorded!  

My Dad died from cancer, and Mama raised the little one, I was 16 at the time, pretty much by herself. I helped all I could, but mostly I went to work and gave her money to help. When all us kids were either out of the house or close to it, she started dating. Didn't have many boyfriends, and she didn't get serious about one 'til this guy in the song. She fond out before they got hitched that he wasn't what he appeared to be, and she wrote  this song about some of it. She dumped him quick, but I know she cared a lot about him, so who knows whats he's coming up with next!

For sure Mams has some awesome piano chops, and her singing voice is pretty good too, so we're happy to give her a solo shot!

Had a boyfriend, he was really great
Treated me nice, and so sweet
I know he loved me without doubt
I loved him too, he was such a treat

But he popped the question to me
Took me unawares right at first
Why he asked was hard to see
But then I just thought of the worst!

I can wash his clothes, clean his house!
Do the cookin', mop all the floors
Wash the windows wipe down the doors
He needs a maid, not a damn spouse!

I told him thanks but no thanks
I like things the way that they are
He got a pained look on his face
Brought out the keys to his car

Accused me of not lovin' him
Got up headed for the door
He said, "Thought you'd jump at the chance!
It's what we been dating for!'

Ain't gonna wash your clothes and cook!
Ain't gonna clean your dirty house!
Don't do windows, wipe down the doors!
I won't be your maid, or your spouse!

You know, I was havin' a shred of doubt.
Maybe I misjudged him?
But what he said next, took care of any doubt!

A woman's sposed to do laundry!
Her job to take care of her man!
All of it is woman's work
Give ya'll another chance so you can!

Oh hell no!
Go clean your own damned dirty house!
Wash all yer funky underwear!
Our relationship boils down to that
What in hell do I really care?

He stomped out of my house.
Two days later phone's ringin' off the hook.
But that's too damned bad!
I raised all my kids and took care of a man!
Now this time is all about me!
Haaaa! Haaaaa! Who needs it?
Friendship, yeah. Companionship?
Uh huh! Some hanky-panky here and there?
Yeah man! But runnin' a maid service?
HAHAHA!

Who needs it?