By no means a definitive compilation, Don't Fish in My Sea is nonetheless a fine one, offerings songs from all six of
Ma Rainey's years as a recording artist -- 1923-1928 (she had been a performer for a decade before she ever recorded and continued performing six years after putting her last side on cylinder). All of these sides were recorded for Paramount and contain some of her finest moments -- an early, pre-
Lucille Bogan version of "Shave 'Em Dry," "Bad Luck Blues," "Hoot Owl," and 14 more. The sound quality here is acceptable and the performances are among the most vital of the early recorded blues records by artists of either gender. This is a fine introduction to one of the 20th century's most fabled blues practitioners.