1 00:00:02,000 --> 00:00:07,000 Downloaded from YTS.MX 2 00:00:08,000 --> 00:00:13,000 Official YIFY movies site: YTS.MX 3 00:00:25,000 --> 00:00:27,000 [crickets chirping] 4 00:00:31,375 --> 00:00:33,375 [birds hooting] 5 00:00:38,750 --> 00:00:41,250 [running footsteps] 6 00:00:42,708 --> 00:00:44,541 [panting] 7 00:00:50,625 --> 00:00:52,041 [dogs barking] 8 00:00:55,875 --> 00:00:57,666 [distant singing] 9 00:00:59,666 --> 00:01:01,041 [panting heavily] 10 00:01:05,791 --> 00:01:07,916 {\an8}-[people speaking indistinctly] -[laughs] 11 00:01:08,000 --> 00:01:09,500 {\an8}[singing continues] 12 00:01:20,625 --> 00:01:23,833 ♪ My bell rang this morning ♪ 13 00:01:24,541 --> 00:01:27,666 ♪ Didn't know which way to go ♪ 14 00:01:27,750 --> 00:01:29,000 [crowd cheering] 15 00:01:33,250 --> 00:01:36,333 ♪ My bell rang this morning ♪ 16 00:01:37,208 --> 00:01:40,750 ♪ Didn't know which way to go ♪ 17 00:01:40,833 --> 00:01:42,833 -[woman] Yeah, Ma! -[crowd cheering] 18 00:01:42,916 --> 00:01:43,750 [man] Yeah, baby! 19 00:01:44,958 --> 00:01:48,208 ♪ I had the blues so bad ♪ 20 00:01:49,166 --> 00:01:53,166 ♪ I sat down on my floor ♪ 21 00:01:53,250 --> 00:01:54,333 [loud cheering] 22 00:01:58,333 --> 00:02:00,958 ♪ Daddy, Daddy ♪ 23 00:02:01,500 --> 00:02:04,958 ♪ Please come home to me ♪ 24 00:02:05,041 --> 00:02:06,416 [cheering] 25 00:02:08,291 --> 00:02:10,500 [crowd clapping in rhythm] 26 00:02:10,583 --> 00:02:13,083 ♪ Daddy, Daddy ♪ 27 00:02:13,625 --> 00:02:17,625 ♪ Please come home to me ♪ 28 00:02:17,708 --> 00:02:18,958 [cheering] 29 00:02:21,916 --> 00:02:24,708 ♪ I'm on my way ♪ 30 00:02:25,833 --> 00:02:30,416 ♪ Crazy as I can be ♪ 31 00:02:30,500 --> 00:02:31,916 [crowd cheering] 32 00:02:35,416 --> 00:02:38,833 ♪ Oooh… ♪ 33 00:02:43,708 --> 00:02:46,583 ♪ Hmm… ♪ 34 00:02:48,500 --> 00:02:51,375 ♪ Hmm… ♪ 35 00:02:52,916 --> 00:02:55,666 [Ma Rainey vocalizing] 36 00:03:10,000 --> 00:03:11,583 [crowd cheering] 37 00:03:12,125 --> 00:03:13,250 ♪ Ah! ♪ 38 00:03:13,333 --> 00:03:15,500 ♪ Daddy, Daddy ♪ 39 00:03:16,250 --> 00:03:19,708 ♪ Please come home to me ♪ 40 00:03:21,583 --> 00:03:22,666 [loud cheering] 41 00:03:23,833 --> 00:03:26,583 ♪ Daddy, Daddy ♪ 42 00:03:26,666 --> 00:03:28,750 ♪ Please come home to me ♪ 43 00:03:33,083 --> 00:03:35,625 ♪ I'm on my way ♪ 44 00:03:36,416 --> 00:03:39,875 ♪ Crazy as I can be ♪ 45 00:03:52,958 --> 00:03:53,875 ♪ Hey ♪ 46 00:03:54,791 --> 00:03:55,708 ♪ Hey, Daddy ♪ 47 00:03:57,291 --> 00:03:59,958 ♪ Please come home to me ♪ 48 00:04:01,541 --> 00:04:02,583 ♪ Hey ♪ 49 00:04:02,666 --> 00:04:04,083 ♪ Oh, yeah! ♪ 50 00:04:04,166 --> 00:04:07,000 ♪ I'm on my way ♪ 51 00:04:07,583 --> 00:04:11,000 ♪ Crazy as I can be ♪ 52 00:04:11,833 --> 00:04:13,333 [crowd cheering loudly] 53 00:04:14,875 --> 00:04:16,083 [rumbling] 54 00:04:18,750 --> 00:04:19,833 [hammering] 55 00:04:33,750 --> 00:04:35,083 [horn honking] 56 00:04:40,916 --> 00:04:42,541 [upbeat jazz music playing] 57 00:04:53,166 --> 00:04:54,416 [horns honking] 58 00:04:55,708 --> 00:04:56,875 [mechanical whirring] 59 00:05:00,375 --> 00:05:02,583 Testing, testing, one, two, three. 60 00:05:02,666 --> 00:05:04,750 Testing, one, two, three. 61 00:05:04,833 --> 00:05:07,416 -Testing, testing, one, two-- -Got that list? 62 00:05:07,500 --> 00:05:09,375 Uh, I got it. Don't worry about it. 63 00:05:09,458 --> 00:05:11,583 I'm holding you responsible. You keep her in line. 64 00:05:11,666 --> 00:05:14,791 I'm not putting up with any shenanigans. You hear, Irv? Irv? 65 00:05:14,875 --> 00:05:16,500 [lively piano music playing] 66 00:05:16,583 --> 00:05:17,500 Irv? 67 00:05:19,291 --> 00:05:20,125 Irv! 68 00:05:21,125 --> 00:05:23,958 Not putting up with any Royal Highness, Queen of the Blues bullshit. 69 00:05:24,041 --> 00:05:27,250 Mother of the Blues, Mel. Mother of the Blues. 70 00:05:27,333 --> 00:05:29,000 [upbeat jazz music playing] 71 00:05:48,416 --> 00:05:51,166 Heh. You should've heard Levee at the club last night, Toledo. 72 00:05:51,250 --> 00:05:53,041 Trying to talk to that gal Ma had with her. 73 00:05:53,125 --> 00:05:56,000 You ain't got to tell me. I know how Levee do. 74 00:05:56,083 --> 00:05:58,708 Levee tried talking to her and got his feelings hurt. 75 00:05:59,416 --> 00:06:00,666 I want you to get her in here, 76 00:06:00,750 --> 00:06:02,833 record those songs on that list, and get her out. 77 00:06:02,916 --> 00:06:03,750 -Just like clockwork. -[doorbell buzzes] 78 00:06:03,833 --> 00:06:05,458 Like clockwork, Mel. 79 00:06:05,541 --> 00:06:08,291 And that horn player, the one who gave me those songs, 80 00:06:08,375 --> 00:06:09,833 is he going to be here today? 81 00:06:09,916 --> 00:06:12,583 -I want to hear more of that sound. -How you boys doing, Cutler? 82 00:06:12,666 --> 00:06:14,250 [Cutler] Fine, Mr. Irvin. 83 00:06:14,333 --> 00:06:15,708 Where's Ma? She with ya? 84 00:06:15,791 --> 00:06:16,833 I don't know. 85 00:06:16,916 --> 00:06:18,625 She told us to be here at 1:00. That's all I know. 86 00:06:19,750 --> 00:06:21,208 Where's the, uh, horn player? 87 00:06:21,291 --> 00:06:24,583 Levee's supposed to be here same as we is. I reckon he'll be here in a minute. 88 00:06:24,666 --> 00:06:26,458 [upbeat jazz music playing] 89 00:06:30,583 --> 00:06:31,708 [horn honking] 90 00:06:37,125 --> 00:06:39,916 Hey, hey, hey. Good morning, Chicago. 91 00:06:40,625 --> 00:06:42,500 -[both chuckling] -[woman] He ain't from 'round here now. 92 00:06:47,458 --> 00:06:49,375 [tires screech, horn honks] 93 00:06:56,125 --> 00:06:59,083 Come on in. I'll get you fed and ready to make some music. 94 00:06:59,166 --> 00:07:00,041 [Cutler] Right. 95 00:07:00,125 --> 00:07:01,250 Right down the hall. 96 00:07:02,208 --> 00:07:03,958 Where's Ma? How come she isn't with the band? 97 00:07:04,041 --> 00:07:07,500 Everything's under control, Mel. I got everything under control. 98 00:07:08,083 --> 00:07:10,625 Cutler, here's the list of songs we're going to record. 99 00:07:12,333 --> 00:07:13,791 [chuckles] 100 00:07:14,458 --> 00:07:17,166 [Mel] Why isn't she here? And where's that horn player? 101 00:07:28,708 --> 00:07:30,458 What we got there, Toledo? 102 00:07:30,541 --> 00:07:31,791 Eh, we got, uh… 103 00:07:35,416 --> 00:07:38,166 Mmm. "Prove It on Me," "Hear Me Talking to You," 104 00:07:38,250 --> 00:07:40,583 "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom," "Moonshine Blues." 105 00:07:40,666 --> 00:07:42,500 Oh. Them ain't the songs Ma told me. 106 00:07:42,583 --> 00:07:45,541 I wouldn't worry about it if I was you. Ma'll get it straightened out. 107 00:07:45,625 --> 00:07:46,833 [Cutler] "Moonshine Blues." 108 00:07:46,916 --> 00:07:49,708 That's one of them songs Bessie Smith sang, I believes. 109 00:07:49,791 --> 00:07:51,750 Eh, Slow Drag's right. I wouldn't worry about it. 110 00:07:51,833 --> 00:07:54,083 Levee know what time he's supposed to be here? 111 00:07:54,166 --> 00:07:56,708 Levee left the hotel talking about he was gonna buy shoes. 112 00:07:56,791 --> 00:07:58,791 Says it's the first time he beat you shooting craps. 113 00:07:58,875 --> 00:07:59,708 [all laughing] 114 00:07:59,791 --> 00:08:02,625 -I ain't thinking about no four dollars. -[Slow Drag] Levee sure was. 115 00:08:02,708 --> 00:08:03,750 [Toledo] Let me get a hit of that. 116 00:08:03,833 --> 00:08:05,291 [Slow Drag] That four dollars liked to burn a hole in his pocket. 117 00:08:05,375 --> 00:08:06,875 He's supposed to be here at 1:00. 118 00:08:07,458 --> 00:08:10,458 -That's some good Chicago bourbon. -[Levee] Look here, Cutler! 119 00:08:11,125 --> 00:08:14,166 -[in sing-song] I got me some shoes. -[Slow Drag] Ooh! 120 00:08:14,250 --> 00:08:16,541 Nigga, I ain't studying you. 121 00:08:16,625 --> 00:08:19,041 [Toledo] How much you pay for something like that, Levee? 122 00:08:19,125 --> 00:08:21,666 Eleven dollars. Four dollars of it belong to Cutler. 123 00:08:21,750 --> 00:08:24,791 Ooh! Levee say if it wasn't for Cutler, he wouldn't have no new shoes. 124 00:08:24,875 --> 00:08:26,666 I ain't thinking about Levee or his shoes. 125 00:08:26,750 --> 00:08:29,291 -[laughing] -[Cutler] Let's get ready to rehearse. 126 00:08:29,375 --> 00:08:32,375 [Slow Drag] I'm with you on that score. Don't want to be here all night. 127 00:08:32,458 --> 00:08:34,125 [Toledo] Ain't but four songs on the list. 128 00:08:34,208 --> 00:08:35,750 Last time there was six songs. 129 00:08:35,833 --> 00:08:38,875 Yeah. Now I'm ready. 130 00:08:41,041 --> 00:08:43,125 I can play some good music now. 131 00:08:43,208 --> 00:08:44,750 [upright bass playing] 132 00:08:45,833 --> 00:08:48,750 Damn! They done changed things around. 133 00:08:48,833 --> 00:08:50,666 Don't never leave well enough alone. 134 00:08:50,750 --> 00:08:55,125 Yeah, everything changing all the time. Even the air you breathing change. 135 00:08:55,208 --> 00:08:59,916 Yeah, you got, uh, monoxide, hydrogen, changing all the time. 136 00:09:00,000 --> 00:09:03,250 Skin changing. Different molecules. Everything. 137 00:09:03,333 --> 00:09:05,000 Nigga, what is you talking about? 138 00:09:05,083 --> 00:09:08,000 I'm talking about the room, I ain't talking about no skin and air. 139 00:09:08,083 --> 00:09:11,250 I'm talking about something I can see. I ain't talking about no molecules. 140 00:09:11,333 --> 00:09:13,875 I know what you talking about. You don't know what I'm talking about. 141 00:09:13,958 --> 00:09:17,625 That door. You see that door? That's what I'm talking about. 142 00:09:17,708 --> 00:09:19,000 Door wasn't there before. 143 00:09:19,083 --> 00:09:23,125 You wouldn't know your right from left. And damn if that door wasn't there. 144 00:09:23,208 --> 00:09:25,291 If you talking about they done switched rooms, you right. 145 00:09:25,375 --> 00:09:26,958 But don't go telling me that door wasn't there. 146 00:09:27,041 --> 00:09:29,291 Damn the door and let's do this. I want to get out of here. 147 00:09:29,375 --> 00:09:32,458 Toledo started all that about the door. I'm just saying that things change. 148 00:09:32,541 --> 00:09:35,958 What you think I was saying? Things change. The air and everything. 149 00:09:36,041 --> 00:09:38,250 Now you gonna say you was saying it. 150 00:09:38,333 --> 00:09:40,791 You gonna fit two propositions on the same track, 151 00:09:40,875 --> 00:09:43,083 run them into each other, and 'cause they crash, 152 00:09:43,166 --> 00:09:44,875 you gonna say it's the same train? 153 00:09:44,958 --> 00:09:47,625 -Now this nigga talking about trains. -[Cutler laughs] 154 00:09:47,708 --> 00:09:52,541 We done went from the air to the skin to the door and now trains. 155 00:09:52,625 --> 00:09:56,208 Toledo, I'd just like to be inside your head for five minutes 156 00:09:56,291 --> 00:09:57,625 just to see how you think. 157 00:09:57,708 --> 00:10:00,375 You done got more shit piled up and mixed up in there 158 00:10:00,458 --> 00:10:01,833 -than the devil got sinners. -[laughing] 159 00:10:01,916 --> 00:10:03,750 You been reading too many goddamn books. 160 00:10:03,833 --> 00:10:05,791 What you care about how much I read? 161 00:10:06,833 --> 00:10:08,458 I'm gonna ignore you 'cause you're ignorant. 162 00:10:08,541 --> 00:10:10,541 -Let's rehearse the music. -All right. 163 00:10:10,625 --> 00:10:12,250 You ain't gotta rehearse that. 164 00:10:12,333 --> 00:10:14,208 Ain't nothing but old jug-band music. 165 00:10:14,291 --> 00:10:15,916 They need one of them jug bands for this. 166 00:10:16,000 --> 00:10:18,000 Don't make no difference to me, long as we get paid. 167 00:10:18,083 --> 00:10:20,500 That ain't what I'm talking about. I'm talking about art. 168 00:10:20,583 --> 00:10:22,916 What's drawing got to do with it? 169 00:10:23,541 --> 00:10:25,458 Where you get this nigga from, Cutler? 170 00:10:25,541 --> 00:10:27,666 He sound like one of them Alabama niggas. 171 00:10:27,750 --> 00:10:29,750 It's Slow Drag, all right. 172 00:10:29,833 --> 00:10:31,208 Just play the piece, nigga. 173 00:10:31,291 --> 00:10:34,416 If you want to be one of them, uh, what you call virtuosos or something, 174 00:10:34,500 --> 00:10:36,125 you're in the wrong place. 175 00:10:36,208 --> 00:10:39,000 You ain't no King Oliver or Buddy Bolden. 176 00:10:39,083 --> 00:10:41,916 You're just an old trumpet player come a dime a dozen. 177 00:10:42,000 --> 00:10:42,958 Talking about art. 178 00:10:43,041 --> 00:10:45,625 What is you? I don't see your name in lights. 179 00:10:45,708 --> 00:10:49,000 I just play the piece. Whatever they want. I don't criticize other people's music. 180 00:10:49,583 --> 00:10:51,833 I ain't like you, Cutler. I got talent. 181 00:10:51,916 --> 00:10:53,125 -Oh, shit. -Ooh. 182 00:10:53,208 --> 00:10:55,625 Me and this horn, we's tight. 183 00:10:55,708 --> 00:10:57,916 If my daddy had a knowed I was gonna turn out like this, 184 00:10:58,000 --> 00:10:59,375 he woulda named me Gabriel. 185 00:10:59,458 --> 00:11:00,583 [all] Oh! 186 00:11:00,666 --> 00:11:02,833 I'm gonna get me a band and make me some records. 187 00:11:03,666 --> 00:11:05,750 I done give Mr. Sturdyvant some of my songs I wrote, 188 00:11:05,833 --> 00:11:07,916 and he say he gonna let me record them when I get my band together. 189 00:11:08,000 --> 00:11:10,333 I just gotta finish the last part of this song. 190 00:11:10,416 --> 00:11:13,833 I knows how to play real music, not this old jug-band shit. 191 00:11:13,916 --> 00:11:14,750 I got style. 192 00:11:14,833 --> 00:11:16,500 Oh, everybody got style. 193 00:11:16,583 --> 00:11:19,708 Style ain't nothing but keeping the same idea from beginning to end. 194 00:11:19,791 --> 00:11:21,166 Everybody got it. 195 00:11:21,250 --> 00:11:23,000 Everybody can't play like I do. 196 00:11:23,083 --> 00:11:24,916 Everybody can't have their own band. 197 00:11:25,000 --> 00:11:27,375 Until you get your own band where you can play what you want, 198 00:11:27,458 --> 00:11:29,041 play the piece and stop complaining. 199 00:11:29,125 --> 00:11:32,041 I told you when you came on here, this ain't none of them hot bands. 200 00:11:32,125 --> 00:11:35,541 This is an accompaniment band. You play Ma's music when you're here. 201 00:11:35,625 --> 00:11:37,250 I got sense enough to know that. 202 00:11:37,333 --> 00:11:39,166 I could look at y'all and see what kind of band it is. 203 00:11:39,250 --> 00:11:41,375 I could look at Toledo and see what kind of band it is. 204 00:11:41,458 --> 00:11:44,833 Oh, now Toledo ain't said nothing to you. Don't get Toledo started now. 205 00:11:44,916 --> 00:11:46,958 Is you all gonna rehearse the music or ain't you? 206 00:11:47,041 --> 00:11:49,041 How many times you done play them songs? 207 00:11:49,125 --> 00:11:51,750 -What you gotta rehearse for? -This a recording session. 208 00:11:51,833 --> 00:11:53,625 I want to get it right the first time and get on out of here. 209 00:11:53,708 --> 00:11:55,833 Well, y'all go on and rehearse, then. 210 00:11:55,916 --> 00:11:58,708 I'm going to finish this song for Mr. Sturdyvant. 211 00:11:59,416 --> 00:12:00,333 [hums] 212 00:12:02,375 --> 00:12:05,000 Levee, I don't want no shit. You rehearse like everybody else. 213 00:12:05,083 --> 00:12:06,791 You in the band just like everybody else. 214 00:12:06,875 --> 00:12:09,083 Mr. Sturdyvant gonna have to wait. It's the band's time. 215 00:12:09,166 --> 00:12:12,333 I'm ready if you want to rehearse. I said there ain't no point in it. 216 00:12:12,416 --> 00:12:13,875 Ma ain't here. What's the point? 217 00:12:13,958 --> 00:12:18,541 "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom." One, two, you know what to do. 218 00:12:22,375 --> 00:12:23,666 [horns honking] 219 00:12:24,208 --> 00:12:25,750 [blues music playing] 220 00:12:27,666 --> 00:12:31,208 No, no, no. No, no. We ain't doing it that way. 221 00:12:31,291 --> 00:12:33,541 We doing my version. That's what Mr. Irvin told me. 222 00:12:33,625 --> 00:12:35,000 Say it's on the list he gave. 223 00:12:35,083 --> 00:12:36,291 Let me worry about what's on the list. 224 00:12:36,375 --> 00:12:38,375 What sense it make to rehearse the wrong version? 225 00:12:38,458 --> 00:12:40,208 You supposed to rehearse what you gonna play. 226 00:12:40,291 --> 00:12:42,125 -That's the way they taught me. -That's what I'm trying to say. 227 00:12:42,208 --> 00:12:43,791 You trying to tell me what we is and ain't gonna play, 228 00:12:43,875 --> 00:12:45,291 and that ain't none of your business. 229 00:12:45,375 --> 00:12:47,208 Your business is to play what I say. 230 00:12:47,291 --> 00:12:48,250 Oh. I see now. 231 00:12:48,333 --> 00:12:50,791 You done got jealous 'cause Mr. Irvin using my version. 232 00:12:50,875 --> 00:12:53,000 [scoffs] What I got  to be jealous of you about? 233 00:12:53,083 --> 00:12:55,208 The day I get jealous of you, I may as well lay down and die. 234 00:12:55,291 --> 00:12:58,000 Levee started all that 'cause he too lazy to rehearse. 235 00:12:58,083 --> 00:13:01,000 Where's the paper? Look at the paper. See what it say. 236 00:13:01,083 --> 00:13:02,166 Gonna tell me I'm too lazy to rehearse. 237 00:13:02,250 --> 00:13:03,708 [Cutler] We ain't talking about the paper. 238 00:13:03,791 --> 00:13:06,000 We talking about you understanding where you fit in here. 239 00:13:06,083 --> 00:13:08,625 -You play what I say. -I don't care what you play. 240 00:13:08,708 --> 00:13:11,708 Mr. Irvin gonna straighten it up. I don't care what you play. 241 00:13:11,791 --> 00:13:13,583 You boys know what's keeping Ma? 242 00:13:14,583 --> 00:13:16,083 Uh… 243 00:13:16,166 --> 00:13:19,000 Can't say, Mr. Irvin. She'll be along directly, I reckon. 244 00:13:19,083 --> 00:13:20,208 Well, you go ahead. 245 00:13:20,291 --> 00:13:23,541 Mr. Irvin… [chuckles] About these songs… 246 00:13:24,208 --> 00:13:25,375 Whatever's on the list. 247 00:13:25,458 --> 00:13:26,791 I'm talking about this "Black Bottom." 248 00:13:27,333 --> 00:13:29,833 -It's on the list. -Yes, sir, I know it's on the list. 249 00:13:29,916 --> 00:13:32,708 But I just want to know which version. We got two versions of that song. 250 00:13:32,791 --> 00:13:35,500 Oh, Levee's version. We're using Levee's arrangement. 251 00:13:36,416 --> 00:13:39,041 [Cutler] Okay, got that straight. Now about this "Moonshine Blues." 252 00:13:39,125 --> 00:13:41,750 Yeah, we'll work it out with Ma, Cutler. 253 00:13:41,833 --> 00:13:44,208 You boys just rehearse whatever's on that list. 254 00:13:46,375 --> 00:13:48,333 See, I told you! 255 00:13:48,416 --> 00:13:51,708 It don't mean nothing when I say it. You got to wait for Mr. Irvin to say it. 256 00:13:51,791 --> 00:13:52,875 I told you the way it is. 257 00:13:52,958 --> 00:13:55,416 The sooner you understand it ain't what you say, 258 00:13:55,500 --> 00:13:58,250 or what Mr. Irvin say, it's what Ma say that count. 259 00:13:58,333 --> 00:14:00,708 I don't care what you play. Don't matter to me. 260 00:14:00,791 --> 00:14:03,333 Mr. Irvin gonna straighten it up. I don't care what you play. 261 00:14:03,416 --> 00:14:06,250 Thank you. All right, let's, uh, play this "Hear Me Talking to You" 262 00:14:06,333 --> 00:14:08,375 till we figure out what's going on with this "Black Bottom." 263 00:14:08,458 --> 00:14:12,291 One, two, you know what to do. 264 00:14:12,375 --> 00:14:14,458 [piano music playing] 265 00:14:17,291 --> 00:14:19,125 [blues music playing] 266 00:14:49,541 --> 00:14:52,333 Don't nobody say when it comes to Ma. She gonna do what she wanna do. 267 00:14:52,416 --> 00:14:54,500 Mr. Irvin the one putting out the record. 268 00:14:54,583 --> 00:14:55,875 He gonna put out what she want him to put out. 269 00:14:55,958 --> 00:14:58,458 Levee confused about who the boss is. He don't know Ma's the boss. 270 00:14:58,541 --> 00:15:00,500 You know how many records she sold in New York? 271 00:15:00,583 --> 00:15:03,666 And you know what's in New York? Harlem. Harlem's in New York. 272 00:15:03,750 --> 00:15:05,166 [Slow Drag] So what if they didn't sell in New York? 273 00:15:05,250 --> 00:15:07,083 We packed them in in Memphis, Birmingham, Atlanta. 274 00:15:07,166 --> 00:15:10,291 We ain't in Memphis. We in Chicago. We in a recording session. 275 00:15:10,375 --> 00:15:12,625 Mr. Sturdyvant and Mr. Irvin say what's gonna be here. 276 00:15:12,708 --> 00:15:14,291 [blues music continues] 277 00:15:28,541 --> 00:15:30,166 You heard what the man told you. 278 00:15:30,250 --> 00:15:32,875 "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom." Levee's arrangement. 279 00:15:32,958 --> 00:15:34,875 There you go. That's what he told you. 280 00:15:34,958 --> 00:15:37,125 I don't know why y'all want to pick with me about it. 281 00:15:37,208 --> 00:15:39,666 I'm with Slow Drag. Let's go and get it rehearsed. 282 00:15:39,750 --> 00:15:42,500 All right, "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom," Levee's version. 283 00:15:42,583 --> 00:15:45,000 [Toledo] How that first part go again there, Lev? 284 00:15:45,083 --> 00:15:46,041 It go like this. 285 00:15:47,333 --> 00:15:49,250 [playing lively tune on trumpet] 286 00:15:52,125 --> 00:15:53,708 That's to get the people's attention. 287 00:15:53,791 --> 00:15:56,583 That's when you and Slow Drag come in with the rhythm, 288 00:15:56,666 --> 00:15:58,333 me and Cutler play on the breaks. 289 00:15:58,416 --> 00:16:00,291 The man asked how the part go. Ain't ask for all that. 290 00:16:00,375 --> 00:16:01,750 "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom." 291 00:16:02,333 --> 00:16:04,750 One, two, you know what to do. 292 00:16:13,125 --> 00:16:17,791 Hey, hey, hey. Y'all gotta keep up now. You playing in the wrong time. 293 00:16:17,875 --> 00:16:20,666 Will you let us play this song? We been playing before you was born. 294 00:16:20,750 --> 00:16:22,291 Trying to tell us how to play. 295 00:16:22,375 --> 00:16:24,000 All right. Let's try again. 296 00:16:24,083 --> 00:16:25,625 Wait a minute. Let me fix this. 297 00:16:25,708 --> 00:16:27,333 This string starting to unravel, 298 00:16:27,416 --> 00:16:29,875 and you know I want to play Levee's music right. 299 00:16:29,958 --> 00:16:32,458 If you was any kind of musician, you'd take care of your instrument. 300 00:16:32,541 --> 00:16:34,125 Keep it in tip-top order. 301 00:16:34,208 --> 00:16:37,208 If you was any kind of musician, I'd let you be in my band. 302 00:16:37,291 --> 00:16:38,666 -Shit. -Damn! 303 00:16:39,666 --> 00:16:41,708 Slow Drag, watch them big-ass shoes you got. 304 00:16:41,791 --> 00:16:43,250 Ain't nobody done nothing to you. 305 00:16:43,333 --> 00:16:44,250 You done stepped on my shoes. 306 00:16:44,333 --> 00:16:45,833 Then move them out the way. 307 00:16:45,916 --> 00:16:47,458 You was in my way. I wasn't in your way. 308 00:16:47,541 --> 00:16:50,291 Any man who takes a whole week's pay and puts it on some shoes, 309 00:16:50,375 --> 00:16:51,625 understand what I mean, 310 00:16:51,708 --> 00:16:53,958 what you walk around on the ground with, is a fool. 311 00:16:54,041 --> 00:16:55,166 And I don't mind telling him. 312 00:16:55,250 --> 00:16:56,833 What difference it make to you? 313 00:16:56,916 --> 00:16:59,083 Ain't nothing wrong with having nice shoes. 314 00:16:59,958 --> 00:17:01,625 -Look at Toledo. -[Levee] Ooh! 315 00:17:01,708 --> 00:17:02,750 [all laughing] 316 00:17:02,833 --> 00:17:04,041 What? 317 00:17:06,208 --> 00:17:07,541 What was that about Toledo? 318 00:17:08,125 --> 00:17:11,041 Nigga got them clodhoppers. Old brogans. 319 00:17:11,125 --> 00:17:13,375 He ain't nothing but a sharecropper. 320 00:17:14,250 --> 00:17:15,416 Hey, Slow Drag. 321 00:17:17,166 --> 00:17:18,541 Play something for me. 322 00:17:18,625 --> 00:17:20,083 [playing upbeat tune] 323 00:17:23,166 --> 00:17:26,291 A man gotta have some shoes to dance like this. 324 00:17:27,333 --> 00:17:30,583 He can't dance like this with them clodhoppers Toledo got. 325 00:17:30,666 --> 00:17:33,791 That's the trouble with colored folks, always looking to have a good time. 326 00:17:33,875 --> 00:17:35,791 More niggas have got killed trying to have a good time 327 00:17:35,875 --> 00:17:37,458 than God got ways to count. 328 00:17:38,250 --> 00:17:41,875 ♪ When the world goes wrong And I got the blues ♪ 329 00:17:41,958 --> 00:17:45,333 What the hell having a good time mean? That's what I want to know. 330 00:17:45,416 --> 00:17:47,541 Got to be more to life than just having a good time. 331 00:17:47,625 --> 00:17:49,958 If there ain't, then this is a piss-poor life we're living 332 00:17:50,041 --> 00:17:51,833 if that's all there is to be got out of it. 333 00:17:53,541 --> 00:17:56,000 Niggas been having a good time before you was born, 334 00:17:56,083 --> 00:17:58,583 and they gonna keep having a good time after you gone. 335 00:17:58,666 --> 00:18:01,458 Nobody talking about making the lot for the colored man 336 00:18:01,541 --> 00:18:02,958 better for him here in America. 337 00:18:03,041 --> 00:18:05,458 Ain't nobody thinking about what kind of life, 338 00:18:05,541 --> 00:18:07,000 the world they gonna leave for the young'uns. 339 00:18:07,083 --> 00:18:10,208 It's just, "Show me a good time. That's all I want." 340 00:18:10,291 --> 00:18:12,333 Aw. It just makes me sick. 341 00:18:12,416 --> 00:18:14,125 Good times is what makes life worth living. 342 00:18:14,208 --> 00:18:15,083 Uh-huh. 343 00:18:15,166 --> 00:18:18,208 Hey, I know how to have a good time as well as the next man. 344 00:18:18,708 --> 00:18:20,166 Yeah. 345 00:18:20,250 --> 00:18:23,666 I just said there's got to be more to life than just having a good time. 346 00:18:23,750 --> 00:18:26,125 I said, the colored man ought to be doing more 347 00:18:26,208 --> 00:18:28,458 than trying to have a good time all the time. 348 00:18:30,666 --> 00:18:32,458 Well, what is you doing, nigga? 349 00:18:32,541 --> 00:18:34,208 You're talking all them highfalutin ideas 350 00:18:34,291 --> 00:18:36,125 about making a better world for the colored man. 351 00:18:36,208 --> 00:18:37,875 What is you doing to make it better? 352 00:18:37,958 --> 00:18:42,000 You playing the music and looking for your next piece of pussy same as we is. 353 00:18:42,083 --> 00:18:43,583 What is you doing? 354 00:18:43,666 --> 00:18:46,750 It ain't just me, fool. I said everybody. 355 00:18:46,833 --> 00:18:50,250 You think I'm gonna solve the colored man's problem all by myself? 356 00:18:50,333 --> 00:18:53,083 I said "we." You understand that? 357 00:18:53,166 --> 00:18:56,250 We? That's every living colored man in the world 358 00:18:56,333 --> 00:18:59,000 got to do his share, got to do his part. 359 00:18:59,083 --> 00:19:01,416 I ain't talking about what I'm gonna do or you gonna do, 360 00:19:01,500 --> 00:19:04,083 or Cutler, Slow Drag, anybody else. 361 00:19:04,166 --> 00:19:08,291 I'm talking about what all of us gonna do together. 362 00:19:08,375 --> 00:19:10,250 That's what I'm talking about, nigga. 363 00:19:11,666 --> 00:19:13,750 Well, why ain't you just say that then? 364 00:19:13,833 --> 00:19:15,291 [Slow Drag laughing] 365 00:19:16,125 --> 00:19:19,166 Toledo, I don't know why you waste your time with this fool. 366 00:19:19,791 --> 00:19:21,291 I ain't gonna be too many more of your fools. 367 00:19:21,375 --> 00:19:22,875 Ain't nobody studying you. 368 00:19:22,958 --> 00:19:25,416 All right, I ain't nobody. Don't pay me no mind. 369 00:19:25,500 --> 00:19:27,000 Ain't nobody but the devil. 370 00:19:27,083 --> 00:19:28,625 There you go. That's who I am. 371 00:19:28,708 --> 00:19:30,375 I'm the devil. I ain't nothing but the devil. 372 00:19:30,458 --> 00:19:33,333 -I know a man sold his soul to the devil. -[all groan] 373 00:19:33,416 --> 00:19:36,916 Name of Eliza Cotter. Lived in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. 374 00:19:37,000 --> 00:19:37,875 [laughs] 375 00:19:37,958 --> 00:19:40,791 Devil came by and he upped and sold him his soul. 376 00:19:40,875 --> 00:19:43,958 Nigga, how you know this man done sold his soul to the devil? 377 00:19:44,041 --> 00:19:46,208 You talking some old-woman foolishness. 378 00:19:46,291 --> 00:19:48,583 Everybody know. It wasn't no secret. 379 00:19:48,666 --> 00:19:51,041 He went around working for the devil and everybody knowed it. 380 00:19:51,125 --> 00:19:53,708 Carried him a bag. One of them carpet bags. 381 00:19:53,791 --> 00:19:56,333 Folks say he carried the devil's papers and whatnot 382 00:19:56,416 --> 00:19:58,750 where he put your fingerprint on the paper with blood. 383 00:19:58,833 --> 00:20:00,541 Where he at now? That's what I want to know. 384 00:20:00,625 --> 00:20:02,875 He can have my whole handprint if he want to. 385 00:20:02,958 --> 00:20:04,625 Showed up one day all fancied out 386 00:20:04,708 --> 00:20:07,416 in the finest clothes you ever seen on a colored man. 387 00:20:08,166 --> 00:20:11,166 Pocketful of money, just living the life of a rich man. 388 00:20:11,833 --> 00:20:14,000 Had him a string of women he run around with 389 00:20:14,083 --> 00:20:15,666 and throw his money away on. 390 00:20:15,750 --> 00:20:18,166 One of the fellas of them gals he was messing with 391 00:20:18,250 --> 00:20:20,625 got fixed on him wrong and Eliza killed him. 392 00:20:20,708 --> 00:20:22,625 And laughed about it. 393 00:20:22,708 --> 00:20:25,000 Sheriff come and arrest him and let him go. 394 00:20:25,083 --> 00:20:27,333 Trial come up. Judge cut him loose. 395 00:20:27,416 --> 00:20:28,250 Cut him loose 396 00:20:28,333 --> 00:20:30,666 -and give him a bottle of whiskey. -[Cutler whistles] 397 00:20:30,750 --> 00:20:32,541 Folks ask what done happened to make him change, 398 00:20:32,625 --> 00:20:35,875 and he tell them straight-out he done sold his soul to the devil 399 00:20:35,958 --> 00:20:37,625 and asked them if they wanted to sell theirs, too, 400 00:20:37,708 --> 00:20:39,416 'cause he could arrange it for them. 401 00:20:39,500 --> 00:20:42,375 Hold on. What happened to this fella? That's what I want to know. 402 00:20:42,458 --> 00:20:45,250 Last I heard, he headed up north with that bag of his, 403 00:20:45,333 --> 00:20:47,208 handing out $100 bills on the spot 404 00:20:47,291 --> 00:20:49,625 to whoever wanted to sign on with the devil. 405 00:20:49,708 --> 00:20:51,958 Hmm. I sure wish I knew where he went. 406 00:20:52,041 --> 00:20:53,458 He wouldn't have to convince me long. 407 00:20:53,541 --> 00:20:55,125 Hell, I'd even help him sign people up. 408 00:20:55,208 --> 00:20:59,166 Nigga, God gonna strike you down with that blasphemy you talking. 409 00:20:59,250 --> 00:21:01,875 Oh, shit. God don't mean nothing to me. 410 00:21:01,958 --> 00:21:04,458 Let him strike me. Here I am, standing right here. 411 00:21:04,541 --> 00:21:05,958 What you talking about he gonna strike me? 412 00:21:06,041 --> 00:21:08,750 Here I am. Let him strike me. I ain't scared of him. 413 00:21:08,833 --> 00:21:10,625 All right. You gonna be sorry. 414 00:21:10,708 --> 00:21:12,250 You gonna fix yourself to have bad luck. 415 00:21:12,333 --> 00:21:13,750 Ain't nothing gonna work out for you. 416 00:21:13,833 --> 00:21:15,250 -Bad luck? -Yeah. 417 00:21:15,333 --> 00:21:16,833 What I care about bad luck? 418 00:21:17,708 --> 00:21:19,208 You talking simple. 419 00:21:19,291 --> 00:21:21,250 I ain't had nothing but bad luck all my life. 420 00:21:21,333 --> 00:21:24,250 Couldn't get no worse. What the hell I care about bad luck? 421 00:21:24,333 --> 00:21:26,083 I eat it every day for breakfast. 422 00:21:26,166 --> 00:21:29,041 You dumber than I thought you was, talking about bad luck. 423 00:21:29,833 --> 00:21:30,833 All right, nigga. 424 00:21:32,125 --> 00:21:34,000 You'll see. [chuckles] 425 00:21:34,583 --> 00:21:35,916 Can't tell a fool nothing. 426 00:21:37,125 --> 00:21:38,250 You'll see. 427 00:21:39,708 --> 00:21:41,000 [horns honking] 428 00:21:47,875 --> 00:21:49,000 Oh. There you go. 429 00:21:50,583 --> 00:21:51,666 Over there. 430 00:21:51,750 --> 00:21:53,583 -Whoa! -[crashing] 431 00:21:53,666 --> 00:21:54,958 [horns honking] 432 00:22:00,375 --> 00:22:01,666 [man] What are you doing? 433 00:22:02,333 --> 00:22:04,958 Cutler, your boys' sandwiches are here. 434 00:22:05,458 --> 00:22:07,125 -Cutler? -[policeman] Lady-- 435 00:22:07,208 --> 00:22:08,833 -[Ma Rainey] This is a brand new car. -Lady-- 436 00:22:08,916 --> 00:22:10,125 Ain't had but a ding. 437 00:22:10,208 --> 00:22:13,291 -Okay, lady-- -[Ma Rainey] What you gonna do? 438 00:22:13,375 --> 00:22:14,208 -Ma! -[policeman] I'm talking-- 439 00:22:14,291 --> 00:22:16,250 [Ma Rainey] I got eyes, you got eyes. What are you gonna do? 440 00:22:16,333 --> 00:22:17,375 -Listen to me-- -What happened? 441 00:22:17,458 --> 00:22:18,958 Tell this man who I am. Get him straight. 442 00:22:19,041 --> 00:22:20,875 Tell this man who he's messing with. 443 00:22:20,958 --> 00:22:23,333 Officer, what's the matter? What's the problem? 444 00:22:23,416 --> 00:22:24,916 When I walked up on the incident, this lady-- 445 00:22:25,000 --> 00:22:27,833 -Sylvester wrecked Ma's car. -I… I did not. The man hit me. 446 00:22:27,916 --> 00:22:29,416 [policeman] You want it in a nutshell? 447 00:22:29,500 --> 00:22:30,833 We got her charged with assault and battery. 448 00:22:30,916 --> 00:22:33,083 -Assault and what for what? -Sylvester was driving-- 449 00:22:33,166 --> 00:22:34,833 I can tell you what happened if you wanna know. 450 00:22:34,916 --> 00:22:37,375 That's my nephew. That's Sylvester. He was driving my car-- 451 00:22:37,458 --> 00:22:39,625 -We don't know whose car it is. -That's Ma's car. 452 00:22:39,708 --> 00:22:41,041 I bought and paid for that car. 453 00:22:41,125 --> 00:22:42,833 That's what you say. We gotta check it out. 454 00:22:42,916 --> 00:22:44,125 What's the problem? 455 00:22:44,208 --> 00:22:45,125 I was calling the paddy wagon 456 00:22:45,208 --> 00:22:47,666 to haul them to the station, sort everything out. 457 00:22:47,750 --> 00:22:49,833 -She's aggressive with the other driver-- -He got ugly with me. 458 00:22:49,916 --> 00:22:52,125 -I don't know why you tell that lie. -You let me tell the story? 459 00:22:52,208 --> 00:22:54,333 Well, if you gonna tell it, tell it right. 460 00:23:00,750 --> 00:23:04,041 Like I said, while I was waiting for the paddy wagon, 461 00:23:04,125 --> 00:23:05,791 I turn to hear this guy's side of the story. 462 00:23:05,875 --> 00:23:07,458 She won't let him get a word in edgeways. 463 00:23:07,541 --> 00:23:10,208 He steps in front of her to tell his version of things, 464 00:23:10,291 --> 00:23:11,125 she pushes him to the ground. 465 00:23:11,208 --> 00:23:12,583 She ain't hit him. He just fell. 466 00:23:12,666 --> 00:23:14,541 If that don't beat all to hell. I ain't touched the man. 467 00:23:14,625 --> 00:23:17,250 All right, Ma. Officer, can I speak to you for a minute? 468 00:23:17,333 --> 00:23:18,333 I got things to do. 469 00:23:18,416 --> 00:23:20,291 He bumped into me and fell down. 470 00:23:20,375 --> 00:23:22,333 Flopping on the ground like a rag doll. 471 00:23:23,541 --> 00:23:24,958 I ain't touch the man. 472 00:23:26,750 --> 00:23:28,208 [imperceptible] 473 00:23:32,750 --> 00:23:33,875 [Irvin] All right, Ma. 474 00:23:33,958 --> 00:23:35,500 Come on. Let's go. Move it out. 475 00:23:36,083 --> 00:23:37,041 I got it all taken care of. 476 00:23:37,125 --> 00:23:38,750 Clear it out. Come on. Let's go. 477 00:23:38,833 --> 00:23:40,208 What's going on? What did you do? 478 00:23:40,291 --> 00:23:41,166 Sturdyvant, get on away from me. 479 00:23:41,250 --> 00:23:43,291 That's the last thing I need, to go through your shit. 480 00:23:43,375 --> 00:23:45,666 -[policeman] Everybody move along. -It's not the place. 481 00:23:45,750 --> 00:23:47,000 Here, Ma. 482 00:23:47,916 --> 00:23:49,250 Let me take your things. 483 00:23:50,875 --> 00:23:52,625 -I don't believe we've met. -Hi. 484 00:23:52,708 --> 00:23:54,666 That's my nephew Sylvester, and that there's Dussie Mae. 485 00:23:54,750 --> 00:23:56,583 -Oh, hello. -[Ma Rainey] Everybody here? 486 00:23:56,666 --> 00:23:58,125 They're in the band room. 487 00:23:58,208 --> 00:24:01,375 -Ma, why don't you sit and relax? -I ain't for no sitting. 488 00:24:01,458 --> 00:24:03,916 -Where's the bathroom? -Uh, down that hall. 489 00:24:04,416 --> 00:24:07,916 Honey, call down there and see about my car. I need my car fixed today. 490 00:24:08,000 --> 00:24:09,416 Why y'all keep it so hot in here? 491 00:24:09,500 --> 00:24:11,916 Y'all want to make records, better get a fan on. 492 00:24:12,000 --> 00:24:14,458 I got it, Ma. I'll take care of everything. 493 00:24:29,750 --> 00:24:31,041 [Mel] She's late and already-- 494 00:24:31,125 --> 00:24:33,750 I talked to her last night. Got everything straight. 495 00:24:33,833 --> 00:24:35,958 You stay out of the way. Let me handle it. 496 00:24:36,041 --> 00:24:37,833 You handled it last time, remember? 497 00:24:37,916 --> 00:24:41,500 She marches in like she owns the place, complains about the building being cold, 498 00:24:41,583 --> 00:24:44,000 trips over a mic wire, then threatens to sue me. 499 00:24:48,291 --> 00:24:49,458 [playing piano] 500 00:24:50,416 --> 00:24:52,541 [humming softly] 501 00:25:00,000 --> 00:25:02,291 I ain't never been in a recording studio. 502 00:25:03,416 --> 00:25:04,583 Where the band at? 503 00:25:04,666 --> 00:25:06,583 They off somewhere rehearsing. 504 00:25:08,166 --> 00:25:10,250 Come over here and let me see that dress. 505 00:25:11,875 --> 00:25:13,416 That dress look nice. 506 00:25:15,250 --> 00:25:17,833 I'm gonna take you tomorrow to get you some things 507 00:25:17,916 --> 00:25:19,666 before I take you down to Memphis. 508 00:25:20,416 --> 00:25:23,666 They got some clothes up here they ain't got in Memphis. 509 00:25:24,458 --> 00:25:26,791 -I want you to look nice for me, hmm? -Mmm-hmm. 510 00:25:26,875 --> 00:25:29,750 You gonna travel with the show, you gotta look nice. 511 00:25:29,833 --> 00:25:32,458 I just need me some new shoes. These hurt my feet. 512 00:25:32,541 --> 00:25:35,916 Oh, don't you be messing around with no shoes that pinch your feet. 513 00:25:36,000 --> 00:25:39,875 Ma knows something about bad feet. Mmm. 514 00:25:42,083 --> 00:25:44,916 ♪ Oh, Lord ♪ 515 00:25:47,208 --> 00:25:50,333 ♪ These dogs of mine ♪ 516 00:25:51,208 --> 00:25:55,041 ♪ They sure do hurt me ♪ 517 00:25:55,125 --> 00:25:58,375 ♪ All the time ♪ 518 00:26:00,333 --> 00:26:02,500 ♪ Reason why? ♪ 519 00:26:02,583 --> 00:26:05,625 ♪ I don't know ♪ 520 00:26:05,708 --> 00:26:07,083 [Dussie Mae chuckles] 521 00:26:07,833 --> 00:26:13,708 ♪ Lord, I beg to be excused ♪ 522 00:26:14,708 --> 00:26:16,875 [growling] 523 00:26:18,791 --> 00:26:20,041 [both laugh] 524 00:26:20,125 --> 00:26:21,166 [Ma Rainey] Okay. 525 00:26:21,916 --> 00:26:24,500 Go on, get my slippers out my bag over yonder. 526 00:26:24,583 --> 00:26:26,208 [plays notes on piano] 527 00:26:30,375 --> 00:26:34,291 ♪ I can't wear me no sharp-toed shoes ♪ 528 00:26:36,083 --> 00:26:38,666 ♪ I went for a walk ♪ 529 00:26:39,541 --> 00:26:41,041 ♪ I stopped to talk ♪ 530 00:26:43,833 --> 00:26:50,125 ♪ Oh, how my corns did bark ♪ 531 00:26:50,833 --> 00:26:53,833 [sighs] I just want some of them yellow ones. 532 00:26:53,916 --> 00:26:55,666 About a half size bigger. 533 00:26:55,750 --> 00:26:58,541 We'll get you whatever you need. Sylvester too. 534 00:26:58,625 --> 00:26:59,875 Sylvester, tuck your clothes in. 535 00:26:59,958 --> 00:27:02,458 Straighten them up and look nice. Like a gentleman. 536 00:27:02,541 --> 00:27:03,791 Look at Sylvester with that hat on. 537 00:27:03,875 --> 00:27:07,250 [Ma Rainey] Take that hat off inside. Come over here and leave that piano. 538 00:27:07,333 --> 00:27:10,875 [stammering] I ain't doing nothing  to the… piano. I'm… l… looking at it. 539 00:27:10,958 --> 00:27:13,208 Baby, come over here and sit down. Come on. 540 00:27:14,500 --> 00:27:16,083 Soon as Mr. Irvin come back, 541 00:27:16,166 --> 00:27:18,833 I'm gonna have him take you down, introduce you to the band. 542 00:27:19,583 --> 00:27:21,791 Cutler gonna show you how your part go. 543 00:27:21,875 --> 00:27:24,666 When you get your money, send some of it home to your mama. 544 00:27:24,750 --> 00:27:27,916 -Let her know you're doing all right. -Okay. 545 00:27:28,000 --> 00:27:32,250 Ma, I called down to the garage and checked on your car. 546 00:27:32,333 --> 00:27:36,000 It's just a scratch, and they'll have it ready for you this afternoon. 547 00:27:36,083 --> 00:27:38,250 They'll send it over with one of their fellows. 548 00:27:38,333 --> 00:27:39,708 Better have my car fixed right. 549 00:27:39,791 --> 00:27:43,166 I ain't going for that. Brand-new car. They better fix it like new. 550 00:27:43,250 --> 00:27:45,000 [lively music playing faintly] 551 00:27:52,458 --> 00:27:54,583 Irvin, what is that I hear? 552 00:27:54,666 --> 00:27:56,708 I know they ain't rehearsing Levee's "Black Bottom." 553 00:27:56,791 --> 00:27:58,166 I know I ain't hearing that. 554 00:27:58,250 --> 00:28:00,208 Ma, it's what I wanted to talk to you about. 555 00:28:00,291 --> 00:28:02,500 Levee's version, it really picks it up. 556 00:28:02,583 --> 00:28:06,208 I ain't studying Levee nothing. I know what he done to that song. 557 00:28:06,291 --> 00:28:08,833 I don't like to sing it that way. I'm doing it the old way. 558 00:28:08,916 --> 00:28:11,416 That's why I brought my nephew in here to do the voice intro. 559 00:28:11,500 --> 00:28:15,000 That's what people want now, Ma. They want something they can dance to. 560 00:28:15,083 --> 00:28:17,208 Levee's arrangement gives the people what they want. 561 00:28:17,291 --> 00:28:20,000 It makes them excited, forget about their troubles. 562 00:28:20,083 --> 00:28:24,166 I don't care what you say, honey. Levee ain't messing up my song. 563 00:28:24,250 --> 00:28:26,916 If he got what the people want, let him take it somewhere else. 564 00:28:27,000 --> 00:28:29,416 I'm singing Ma Rainey's song, not Levee's song. 565 00:28:29,500 --> 00:28:31,083 Now that's all there is to it. 566 00:28:31,666 --> 00:28:34,750 Carry my nephew on down there. Introduce him to the band. 567 00:28:34,833 --> 00:28:36,958 I promised my sister I'd look out for him, 568 00:28:37,041 --> 00:28:40,291 so he's gonna do the voice intro to the song my way. 569 00:28:40,375 --> 00:28:41,458 [Irvin] We just figured-- 570 00:28:41,541 --> 00:28:45,541 Who's this "we"? What you mean "we"? Come talking this "we" stuff. Who "we"? 571 00:28:46,125 --> 00:28:47,708 Me and Sturdyvant. We decided-- 572 00:28:47,791 --> 00:28:50,250 You decided, huh? I'm just a bump on a log. 573 00:28:50,333 --> 00:28:52,125 I'm just gonna go whichever way the river drift. 574 00:28:52,208 --> 00:28:54,000 Is that it? You and Sturdyvant decided? 575 00:28:54,083 --> 00:28:56,125 -No. We just thought-- -I ain't got no good sense. 576 00:28:56,208 --> 00:28:59,541 I know nothing about music or what a good song is or what ain't. 577 00:28:59,625 --> 00:29:01,208 You know more about my fans than I do. 578 00:29:01,291 --> 00:29:03,833 It's not that. It's more of what the people want. 579 00:29:05,291 --> 00:29:09,458 Tell you something, Irvin, and you can go up there and you can tell Sturdyvant too. 580 00:29:10,083 --> 00:29:13,375 What you all say don't count with me, you understand? 581 00:29:13,458 --> 00:29:16,375 Ma listen to her heart. Ma listen to the voice inside her. 582 00:29:16,458 --> 00:29:17,833 That's what count with Ma. 583 00:29:18,625 --> 00:29:20,250 Carry my nephew on down there. 584 00:29:20,333 --> 00:29:23,500 Tell Cutler he'll do the voice intro to the "Black Bottom" song. 585 00:29:23,583 --> 00:29:25,166 Levee ain't messing up my song. 586 00:29:25,250 --> 00:29:27,000 If that don't set right with you and Sturdyvant, 587 00:29:27,083 --> 00:29:29,583 I can carry my black bottom on back down South to my tour, 588 00:29:29,666 --> 00:29:31,625 'cause I don't like it up here noways. 589 00:29:32,291 --> 00:29:34,125 Okay, Ma. 590 00:29:35,125 --> 00:29:36,083 I don't care. 591 00:29:38,583 --> 00:29:40,625 -I just thought-- -Damn what you thought! 592 00:29:40,708 --> 00:29:43,125 What you look like trying to tell me how to sing my song. 593 00:29:43,208 --> 00:29:45,833 That Levee and Sturdyvant shit, I ain't going for it. 594 00:29:47,708 --> 00:29:51,041 Sylvester, go introduce yourself. I'm through playing with Irvin. 595 00:29:51,125 --> 00:29:53,875 Uh… Where I go? Which way they at? 596 00:29:55,041 --> 00:29:57,375 Come on. I'll carry you down there myself. 597 00:29:57,458 --> 00:29:59,208 Can I go? I want to see the band. 598 00:29:59,291 --> 00:30:00,541 No. Come on, Sylvester. 599 00:30:01,166 --> 00:30:03,708 Okay, Ma. Have it your way, 600 00:30:04,291 --> 00:30:06,166 but we'll be ready to go in 15 minutes. 601 00:30:06,250 --> 00:30:08,291 We'll be ready to go when Madam says so. 602 00:30:08,375 --> 00:30:10,083 That's the way it go around here. 603 00:30:12,166 --> 00:30:13,208 Perfect. 604 00:30:13,291 --> 00:30:14,666 [upbeat music playing] 605 00:30:32,291 --> 00:30:34,250 Cutler, this here my nephew Sylvester. 606 00:30:34,333 --> 00:30:37,541 He'll do the voice intro on "Black Bottom" using the old version. 607 00:30:37,625 --> 00:30:39,916 What? Mr. Irvin said we're using my version. 608 00:30:40,000 --> 00:30:41,541 I ain't studying you or Mr. Irvin. 609 00:30:41,625 --> 00:30:43,541 Cutler, get him straightened out on how to do his part. 610 00:30:43,625 --> 00:30:44,750 I ain't thinking about Levee. 611 00:30:44,833 --> 00:30:47,000 These folks done messed with the wrong person. 612 00:30:47,083 --> 00:30:50,791 Cutler gonna teach you how to do your part. Go ahead and get it straight. 613 00:30:50,875 --> 00:30:52,958 Don't worry about what nobody else say. 614 00:30:53,041 --> 00:30:54,125 [Cutler laughing] 615 00:30:55,666 --> 00:30:58,250 Hey, come on in, boy. I'm Cutler. [chuckles] 616 00:30:58,333 --> 00:31:01,875 That's Toledo, Levee, and Slow Drag over there. 617 00:31:01,958 --> 00:31:04,166 -Sylvester, huh? -Sylvester Brown. 618 00:31:04,250 --> 00:31:05,750 I wrote a version of that song, 619 00:31:05,833 --> 00:31:08,541 what picks it up and sets it down in the people's lap, 620 00:31:08,625 --> 00:31:10,416 and here she come talking this. 621 00:31:10,500 --> 00:31:14,000 You don't need that old circus bullshit. I know what I'm talking about. 622 00:31:14,083 --> 00:31:16,291 You gonna mess up the song, Cutler, and you know it. 623 00:31:16,375 --> 00:31:17,750 I ain't gonna mess up nothing. Ma say-- 624 00:31:17,833 --> 00:31:19,458 I don't care what Ma say! 625 00:31:20,041 --> 00:31:22,500 I'm talking about what the intro gonna do to the song. 626 00:31:22,583 --> 00:31:25,333 The peoples in the North ain't gonna go for that old tent-show nonsense. 627 00:31:25,416 --> 00:31:27,041 -They wanna hear some music. -[Cutler] Nigga. 628 00:31:27,125 --> 00:31:29,791 I done told you time and again. Ma say what to play, not you. 629 00:31:29,875 --> 00:31:32,833 You ain't here to be doing no creating. You play whatever Ma say. 630 00:31:32,916 --> 00:31:35,208 I might not play nothing. I might just quit. 631 00:31:35,291 --> 00:31:38,208 Nigga, don't nobody care if you quit. Whose heart you gonna break? 632 00:31:38,291 --> 00:31:39,458 Levee ain't gonna quit. 633 00:31:39,541 --> 00:31:41,666 He need to make money to keep him in shoe polish. 634 00:31:41,750 --> 00:31:44,250 -[scoffs] -[all laughing] 635 00:31:44,333 --> 00:31:47,583 I done told y'all you don't know me. You don't know what I'll do. 636 00:31:47,666 --> 00:31:50,125 I don't think nobody give a damn. Sylvester, look here. 637 00:31:50,208 --> 00:31:52,791 The band plays the intro, and then you say, 638 00:31:52,875 --> 00:31:55,208 "All right, boys, you done seen the rest." 639 00:31:55,291 --> 00:31:56,833 "Now I'm gonna show you the best." 640 00:31:56,916 --> 00:31:59,833 "Ma Rainey's gonna show you her black bottom." 641 00:32:00,416 --> 00:32:03,541 You got that? Heh. All right, let me hear you do it one time. 642 00:32:05,791 --> 00:32:08,083 All right, boys, you done s… s… [stuttering] 643 00:32:09,583 --> 00:32:10,625 …seen the rest. 644 00:32:11,333 --> 00:32:12,458 [stammering] 645 00:32:12,541 --> 00:32:14,166 Now I'm gonna show you the best. 646 00:32:15,125 --> 00:32:19,166 Ma Rainey's gonna show you her black b… b… b… 647 00:32:19,250 --> 00:32:21,083 [stuttering] 648 00:32:21,166 --> 00:32:22,250 …bottom. 649 00:32:22,333 --> 00:32:26,791 [scoffs] All right, Cutler. Let me see you fix that. 650 00:32:27,500 --> 00:32:28,958 Straighten that out. 651 00:32:29,041 --> 00:32:31,750 Slow Drag, whoo, you hear this shit? 652 00:32:31,833 --> 00:32:34,583 How in the hell the boy gonna do the part if he can't even talk? 653 00:32:34,666 --> 00:32:37,750 [stuttering] Who… Who's you to tell me what to do, nigga? 654 00:32:37,833 --> 00:32:41,041 This ain't your band. Ma tell me to d… do it, I'mma do it. 655 00:32:41,625 --> 00:32:44,375 So you can go to hell… n… n… nigga. 656 00:32:45,250 --> 00:32:46,958 [laughs] 657 00:32:47,041 --> 00:32:50,625 [mockingly] B… Boy, ain't nobody studying you. Cutler, go on and fix that. 658 00:32:51,208 --> 00:32:53,750 You fix that and I'll shine your shoes for you. 659 00:32:53,833 --> 00:32:55,375 Go on and fix that one. 660 00:32:55,458 --> 00:32:58,958 You say, uh, you Ma's nephew? 661 00:32:59,041 --> 00:33:00,750 Yeah, so what that mean? 662 00:33:00,833 --> 00:33:03,250 Oh, I ain't meant nothing. I was just asking. 663 00:33:03,333 --> 00:33:05,250 Let's rehearse so the boy can get it right. 664 00:33:05,333 --> 00:33:07,083 I ain't rehearsing nothing. 665 00:33:07,166 --> 00:33:08,750 Just wait till I get my band together. 666 00:33:08,833 --> 00:33:11,458 I'm gonna record that song and show you how it's supposed to go. 667 00:33:11,541 --> 00:33:14,375 We can do it without Levee. Sylvester, you remember your part? 668 00:33:14,458 --> 00:33:17,666 Yeah, I… I remember pretty g… good. 669 00:33:18,666 --> 00:33:20,958 Well, come on. Let's do it then. All right? 670 00:33:21,750 --> 00:33:23,958 [piano music playing] 671 00:33:24,041 --> 00:33:24,916 Levee. 672 00:33:25,583 --> 00:33:27,000 [footsteps approaching] 673 00:33:30,583 --> 00:33:32,625 Good, you boys are rehearsing, I see. 674 00:33:32,708 --> 00:33:36,375 Yessir, we rehearsing. We know them songs real good. 675 00:33:36,458 --> 00:33:39,041 Good. Say, Levee, did you finish that song? 676 00:33:39,750 --> 00:33:41,750 Yessir, Mr. Sturdyvant. I got it right here. 677 00:33:42,333 --> 00:33:45,041 I wrote that other part just like you say. It go like… 678 00:33:45,625 --> 00:33:48,125 ♪ You can swing it You can bring it ♪ 679 00:33:48,208 --> 00:33:51,041 ♪ You can dance at any hall ♪ 680 00:33:51,125 --> 00:33:54,291 ♪ You can slide across the floor You'll never have to stall ♪ 681 00:33:54,375 --> 00:33:56,250 ♪ My jelly roll ♪ 682 00:33:56,333 --> 00:33:58,333 Then I wrote that part for the other people to dance, 683 00:33:58,416 --> 00:34:00,125 like you say, for them to forget about their troubles. 684 00:34:00,208 --> 00:34:03,083 Good. I'll see about your songs as soon as I get the chance. 685 00:34:03,166 --> 00:34:05,750 -I'll just take this. -Yessir, Mr. Sturdyvant. 686 00:34:06,416 --> 00:34:08,083 Soon as you get the chance. 687 00:34:09,166 --> 00:34:11,250 [all laughing] 688 00:34:11,333 --> 00:34:12,875 [Cutler] You hear Levee? You hear this nigga? 689 00:34:12,958 --> 00:34:14,583 "Yessir, we's rehearsing, boss." 690 00:34:14,666 --> 00:34:17,583 I heard him. Seen him too. Shuffling them feet. 691 00:34:17,666 --> 00:34:20,041 [Toledo] Yeah, well, Levee can't help it none. 692 00:34:20,125 --> 00:34:24,291 He's spooked up by the white man. Ain't had time to study 'em. 693 00:34:24,375 --> 00:34:27,125 I studies the white man, I got him studied good. 694 00:34:27,208 --> 00:34:30,666 The first time one fixes on me wrong, I'm gonna show him just how much I study. 695 00:34:30,750 --> 00:34:32,708 Come tell me I'm spooked up by the white man. 696 00:34:32,791 --> 00:34:35,541 You let one mess with me, I'll show you how spooked up I am. 697 00:34:35,625 --> 00:34:38,541 The man come in here, call you a boy, 698 00:34:38,625 --> 00:34:41,208 tell you to get up off your ass and rehearse, 699 00:34:41,291 --> 00:34:43,458 and you ain't had nothing to say except, "Yessir!" 700 00:34:43,541 --> 00:34:44,833 [all laughing] 701 00:34:46,166 --> 00:34:49,375 I can say "yessir" to whoever I please. What you got to do with it? 702 00:34:49,458 --> 00:34:52,458 I know how to handle white folks. I been handling them for 32 years. 703 00:34:52,541 --> 00:34:54,041 You gonna tell me how to do it? 704 00:34:54,125 --> 00:34:56,541 Just 'cause I say "yessir," don't mean I'm spooked up by him. 705 00:34:56,625 --> 00:34:59,000 I know what I'm doing. Let me handle him my way. 706 00:34:59,083 --> 00:35:00,500 [Cutler] Well, go and handle it then. 707 00:35:00,583 --> 00:35:02,416 Toledo, you always messing with somebody. 708 00:35:02,500 --> 00:35:06,125 Always agitating somebody with that old philosophy bullshit. 709 00:35:06,208 --> 00:35:08,541 You stay out of my way about what I do and say. 710 00:35:08,625 --> 00:35:11,083 I'm my own person. Just let me alone. 711 00:35:11,166 --> 00:35:15,000 All right, all right. Levee, you right. I apologize. 712 00:35:15,083 --> 00:35:17,791 Ain't none of my business you spooked up by the white man. 713 00:35:17,875 --> 00:35:20,250 -[all laughing] -See, that's the shit I'm talking about. 714 00:35:20,333 --> 00:35:22,166 Y'all back up and leave Levee alone. 715 00:35:22,250 --> 00:35:24,833 Oh, come on, Levee. We was all just having fun. 716 00:35:24,916 --> 00:35:27,125 Toledo ain't said nothing about you he ain't said about me. 717 00:35:27,208 --> 00:35:28,333 You just taking it all wrong. 718 00:35:28,416 --> 00:35:29,625 I ain't meant nothing by it. 719 00:35:29,708 --> 00:35:31,500 Levee got to be Levee! 720 00:35:32,125 --> 00:35:35,041 He don't need nobody messing with him about the white man! 721 00:35:35,875 --> 00:35:39,000 'Cause you don't know nothing about me. You don't know Levee. 722 00:35:39,083 --> 00:35:41,333 You don't know nothing about what kind of blood I got! 723 00:35:41,416 --> 00:35:43,375 What kind of a heart I got beating here! 724 00:35:46,125 --> 00:35:47,708 I was eight years old 725 00:35:48,291 --> 00:35:50,708 when a gang of white mans come into my daddy's house 726 00:35:50,791 --> 00:35:53,208 and have to do with my mama any way they want. 727 00:35:54,708 --> 00:35:59,291 We was living in Jefferson County, about eight miles outside of Natchez. 728 00:35:59,375 --> 00:36:02,666 My daddy's name was Memphis. Memphis Lee Green. 729 00:36:02,750 --> 00:36:07,041 Had him near 50 acres of good farming land. I'm talking good land. 730 00:36:07,125 --> 00:36:08,708 Grow anything you want. 731 00:36:09,500 --> 00:36:11,500 He done gone off of shares and bought this land 732 00:36:11,583 --> 00:36:14,125 from Mr. Hallie's widow woman after he done passed on. 733 00:36:14,208 --> 00:36:17,166 Folks called him a uppity nigger 'cause he done saved and borrowed 734 00:36:17,250 --> 00:36:19,875 to where he could buy this land and be independent. 735 00:36:21,125 --> 00:36:22,833 It was coming on planting time, 736 00:36:23,500 --> 00:36:26,916 and my daddy went into Natchez to get him some seed and fertilizer. 737 00:36:27,000 --> 00:36:31,500 Called me, say, "Levee, you the man of the house now." 738 00:36:33,333 --> 00:36:35,458 "Take care of your mama while I'm gone." 739 00:36:38,416 --> 00:36:39,958 I wasn't but a little boy. 740 00:36:41,541 --> 00:36:42,875 Eight years old. 741 00:36:46,000 --> 00:36:47,083 My mama… 742 00:36:48,291 --> 00:36:51,416 was frying up some chicken when them mans come in the house. 743 00:36:52,333 --> 00:36:54,125 Must have been eight or nine of 'em. 744 00:36:55,458 --> 00:36:59,875 She's standing there frying that chicken when them mans come and took a hold of her 745 00:36:59,958 --> 00:37:04,541 just like you take hold of a mule and make it do what you want. 746 00:37:08,541 --> 00:37:10,041 There was my mama… 747 00:37:11,500 --> 00:37:13,208 with a gang of white mans. 748 00:37:17,750 --> 00:37:19,666 She tried to fight 'em off. 749 00:37:21,000 --> 00:37:23,750 I could see where  it wasn't gonna do her any good. 750 00:37:25,041 --> 00:37:27,125 I didn't know what they was doing to her, 751 00:37:27,208 --> 00:37:30,541 but I figured whatever it was, they might as well do to me too. 752 00:37:32,666 --> 00:37:36,625 My daddy had a knife he kept around there for hunting and working and whatnot. 753 00:37:36,708 --> 00:37:39,708 And I knew where he kept it. I went and got it. 754 00:37:42,125 --> 00:37:47,125 I'm gonna show you how spooked up I was by the white man. 755 00:37:49,000 --> 00:37:51,875 I tried my damnedest to cut one of them's throat. 756 00:37:53,208 --> 00:37:54,750 I hit him on the shoulder. 757 00:37:55,875 --> 00:37:57,541 He reached back, grabbed hold of that knife, 758 00:37:57,625 --> 00:38:00,041 and whacked me across the chest with it. 759 00:38:03,916 --> 00:38:05,000 [sniffles] 760 00:38:05,833 --> 00:38:07,416 That's what made them stop. 761 00:38:08,833 --> 00:38:11,041 They was scared I was gonna bleed to death. 762 00:38:13,000 --> 00:38:14,791 My mama wrapped me in a blanket, 763 00:38:14,875 --> 00:38:18,000 carried me two miles down to the Furlow place 764 00:38:18,083 --> 00:38:20,333 and they drove me up to Doc Albans. 765 00:38:20,416 --> 00:38:23,958 He was waiting on a calf to be born, and he say he ain't had time to see me. 766 00:38:25,125 --> 00:38:27,375 They carried me to Miss Etta, the midwife, 767 00:38:28,541 --> 00:38:30,000 and she fixed me up. 768 00:38:32,333 --> 00:38:33,791 My daddy came back 769 00:38:34,791 --> 00:38:37,708 and acted like he done accepted the facts of what happened. 770 00:38:38,208 --> 00:38:40,583 He got the names of them mans from Mama. 771 00:38:41,708 --> 00:38:43,000 He found out who they was, 772 00:38:43,083 --> 00:38:45,333 and then we announced we was moving out that county. 773 00:38:45,416 --> 00:38:47,916 We said goodbye to everybody, all the neighbors. 774 00:38:48,000 --> 00:38:50,291 [breathes deeply] 775 00:38:50,375 --> 00:38:53,375 My daddy went and smiled in the face of one of them crackers 776 00:38:53,458 --> 00:38:54,916 who had been with my mama. 777 00:38:57,125 --> 00:38:58,708 Smiled in his face… 778 00:38:59,958 --> 00:39:01,625 and sold him our land. 779 00:39:03,833 --> 00:39:06,500 We moved over with relations in Caldwell. 780 00:39:07,208 --> 00:39:09,000 He got us settled in, 781 00:39:09,708 --> 00:39:12,875 and then he took off one day. I ain't never seen him since. 782 00:39:16,500 --> 00:39:17,958 [chuckles sadly] 783 00:39:18,041 --> 00:39:19,375 He sneaked back. 784 00:39:21,125 --> 00:39:22,666 Hiding up in the woods, 785 00:39:23,541 --> 00:39:26,083 laying to get them eight or nine men. 786 00:39:29,083 --> 00:39:31,500 He got four of them before they got him. 787 00:39:33,125 --> 00:39:34,291 [chuckles] 788 00:39:38,083 --> 00:39:39,583 [inhales deeply] 789 00:39:39,666 --> 00:39:41,625 They tracked him down in the woods. 790 00:39:44,166 --> 00:39:45,625 Caught up with him, hung him… 791 00:39:47,166 --> 00:39:48,333 set him afire. 792 00:39:53,208 --> 00:39:56,875 My daddy wasn't spooked up by the white man. No, sir. 793 00:39:57,958 --> 00:40:00,208 And that taught me how to handle them. 794 00:40:01,291 --> 00:40:05,791 I seen my daddy go up and grin in this cracker's face. 795 00:40:05,875 --> 00:40:08,291 [laughs scornfully] 796 00:40:08,375 --> 00:40:11,541 Smile in his face and sell him his land. 797 00:40:11,625 --> 00:40:15,208 All the while, he's planning how he's gonna get him 798 00:40:16,083 --> 00:40:17,625 and what he's gonna do to him. 799 00:40:19,333 --> 00:40:21,208 That taught me how to handle them. 800 00:40:23,166 --> 00:40:27,000 So you all just back up and leave Levee alone about the white man. 801 00:40:27,833 --> 00:40:31,416 I can smile and say "yessir" to whoever I please. 802 00:40:31,500 --> 00:40:33,458 I got my time coming to me. 803 00:40:36,791 --> 00:40:39,416 You all just leave Levee alone about the white man. 804 00:40:57,500 --> 00:41:00,583 [Toledo] ♪ Everybody ♪ 805 00:41:03,375 --> 00:41:06,666 Everybody come from different places in Africa, right? 806 00:41:06,750 --> 00:41:08,416 Different tribes and things. 807 00:41:09,500 --> 00:41:11,958 Soon awhile they began to make one big stew. 808 00:41:12,666 --> 00:41:16,583 You had your, uh, carrots and your peas, 809 00:41:16,666 --> 00:41:18,541 and your potatoes over here. 810 00:41:18,625 --> 00:41:21,000 And over there, you had your meat and nuts, 811 00:41:21,083 --> 00:41:23,208 uh, okra, corn. 812 00:41:23,291 --> 00:41:28,041 And you mix it up, cook it real good to where the flavors flow through. 813 00:41:28,125 --> 00:41:29,875 And then you got one thing. 814 00:41:29,958 --> 00:41:32,041 You got a stew. 815 00:41:33,041 --> 00:41:36,041 Now you take and you eat that stew. 816 00:41:36,125 --> 00:41:40,541 You take and you make your history with that stew. 817 00:41:41,708 --> 00:41:45,250 But you look around and you see some carrots over there, 818 00:41:45,333 --> 00:41:48,083 and some peas over here. 819 00:41:48,875 --> 00:41:53,208 And… that stew is still there. 820 00:41:54,583 --> 00:41:58,708 Hmm. You done made your history and it's still there. 821 00:42:00,708 --> 00:42:03,541 You can't eat it all. [laughs] 822 00:42:06,875 --> 00:42:07,958 What you got? 823 00:42:08,916 --> 00:42:12,000 You got some leftovers. That's what it is. 824 00:42:13,416 --> 00:42:15,500 [plays piano] 825 00:42:15,583 --> 00:42:21,875 See, we's the leftovers. The colored man, he is the leftovers. Huh. 826 00:42:21,958 --> 00:42:23,250 [piano continues playing] 827 00:42:36,166 --> 00:42:38,083 What's the colored man gonna do with himself? 828 00:42:39,500 --> 00:42:40,708 [sighs] 829 00:42:40,791 --> 00:42:42,708 That's what we're waiting to find out. 830 00:42:48,750 --> 00:42:53,875 But first he's got to know that he's a leftover. 831 00:43:03,166 --> 00:43:04,833 [upbeat jazz music playing] 832 00:43:22,750 --> 00:43:23,750 [Cutler] Mr. Irvin. 833 00:43:27,416 --> 00:43:29,500 I ain't got nothing to do with it, but… 834 00:43:31,041 --> 00:43:32,541 the boy can't do the part. 835 00:43:32,625 --> 00:43:34,625 He stutters right through it every time. 836 00:43:35,500 --> 00:43:38,875 It's a whole different bottom, though. It's a whole different style. 837 00:43:38,958 --> 00:43:41,875 [Cutler] Relax and breathe, and everything's gonna be all right. 838 00:43:41,958 --> 00:43:44,208 I'm just gonna cue you in… 839 00:43:44,291 --> 00:43:47,166 [Slow Drag] I know where the four is, man. Don't got to tell me nothing. 840 00:43:47,250 --> 00:43:51,125 [Cutler] You're gonna smile and say the line. Then we gonna get goin'. 841 00:43:51,208 --> 00:43:53,208 -Cutler. -Ma'am? 842 00:43:53,291 --> 00:43:55,750 [Slow Drag] I know it's on the four… 843 00:43:55,833 --> 00:43:58,875 Levee got his eyes in the wrong place. You better school him, Cutler. 844 00:43:58,958 --> 00:44:02,208 Come on, Levee. Let's get ready to play. Keep your mind on your work. 845 00:44:02,291 --> 00:44:05,500 Okay, boys. Here we go. Here we go. Here we go. 846 00:44:06,083 --> 00:44:09,000 "Moonshine Blues" first. "Moonshine Blues," Ma. 847 00:44:09,083 --> 00:44:11,666 I ain't doing no moonshine nothing. I'm doing "Black Bottom" first. 848 00:44:11,750 --> 00:44:13,583 Come on, Sylvester. Where's Sylvester's mic? 849 00:44:13,666 --> 00:44:15,250 Irvin, get him a mic. 850 00:44:15,333 --> 00:44:18,833 Uh… Ma, the boys say he can't do it. 851 00:44:19,416 --> 00:44:22,958 Who? Who say he can't do it? What boys say he can't do it? 852 00:44:24,125 --> 00:44:25,791 The band, Ma. The boys in the band. 853 00:44:27,916 --> 00:44:28,958 What band? 854 00:44:30,833 --> 00:44:31,958 Band work for me. 855 00:44:32,041 --> 00:44:34,625 [Irvin] He stutters, Ma. They say he stutters. 856 00:44:34,708 --> 00:44:36,541 I don't care if he do. 857 00:44:36,625 --> 00:44:39,791 I promised the boy he could do the part, so he gonna do it. 858 00:44:39,875 --> 00:44:43,458 And that's all there is to it. He don't stutter all the time. 859 00:44:43,541 --> 00:44:45,166 Get a microphone down here for him. 860 00:44:45,250 --> 00:44:46,625 We don't have time. We can't-- 861 00:44:46,708 --> 00:44:48,458 If you wanna make a record, find the time. 862 00:44:48,541 --> 00:44:51,125 I ain't playing with you. I could walk out of here right now. 863 00:44:51,208 --> 00:44:53,458 Go back to my tour. I don't need to go through all this. 864 00:44:53,541 --> 00:44:55,916 Go get the boy a microphone. 865 00:45:01,625 --> 00:45:04,208 Levee, I know you had something to do with this. Watch yourself. 866 00:45:04,291 --> 00:45:05,291 It was Cutler. 867 00:45:05,375 --> 00:45:08,250 It was you. You the only one… [stuttering] 868 00:45:08,333 --> 00:45:09,958 The boy stutter. He can't do the part. 869 00:45:10,041 --> 00:45:11,541 Can or can't, he gonna do it. 870 00:45:11,625 --> 00:45:13,791 -You ain't got nothing to do with it. -I don't care. 871 00:45:13,875 --> 00:45:17,083 -He can sing the whole song. -Well, all right. Thank you. 872 00:45:17,166 --> 00:45:19,125 He's only getting one chance. The cost of this-- 873 00:45:19,208 --> 00:45:21,750 Damn the cost. You always talking about the cost. 874 00:45:21,833 --> 00:45:24,708 I make more money for this outfit than anybody else you got put together. 875 00:45:24,791 --> 00:45:27,416 If he mess up, he'll do it till he get it right. 876 00:45:30,875 --> 00:45:33,291 Come on, baby. Come on. Come. 877 00:45:33,916 --> 00:45:37,416 Stand right there. Hold your hands like I told you to. Okay. Come on. 878 00:45:38,625 --> 00:45:40,541 All right. Don't worry about messing up. 879 00:45:40,625 --> 00:45:42,708 You mess up, we'll do it till you get it right. 880 00:45:42,791 --> 00:45:44,958 All right. Play it for him, Cutler. 881 00:45:45,041 --> 00:45:45,916 All right. 882 00:45:46,000 --> 00:45:49,583 One, two, you know what to do. 883 00:45:51,375 --> 00:45:52,333 All right, boys, 884 00:45:53,208 --> 00:45:57,041 [stuttering] you done seen the best. 885 00:45:57,833 --> 00:45:59,125 Now I'm gonna show you the rest. 886 00:45:59,750 --> 00:46:03,666 Ma Rainey's gonna show you her b… b… b… 887 00:46:03,750 --> 00:46:06,041 black b… bottom. 888 00:46:06,583 --> 00:46:10,000 That's real good, baby. You take your time. You'll get it right. 889 00:46:10,083 --> 00:46:12,083 [Irvin] Okay, Ma. We're ready to go. 890 00:46:12,166 --> 00:46:14,875 -Where's my Coke? -"Ma Rainey's Black Bottom," boys. 891 00:46:14,958 --> 00:46:18,750 Where's my Coke? I need a Coke. Hot as it is. Shit. I need a Coke. 892 00:46:18,833 --> 00:46:19,750 What's the matter, Ma? 893 00:46:19,833 --> 00:46:21,916 Where's my Coke? I need a cold Coca-Cola. 894 00:46:22,458 --> 00:46:23,833 Uh, Ma, look… 895 00:46:24,875 --> 00:46:26,125 I forgot the Coke. 896 00:46:26,708 --> 00:46:29,416 Let's do it without it, huh? Just this one song. What say, boys? 897 00:46:29,500 --> 00:46:33,083 Damn what the band say. You supposed to have my Coca-Cola. You knew that. 898 00:46:33,166 --> 00:46:34,791 I ain't doing nothing without my Coca-Cola. 899 00:46:35,416 --> 00:46:36,916 -Shit. -[Mel] Just a minute here, Ma. 900 00:46:37,000 --> 00:46:38,375 You come in an hour late-- 901 00:46:38,458 --> 00:46:40,958 Get out my face. Irvin, I told you keep him away from me. 902 00:46:41,041 --> 00:46:43,041 I'm tired of her nonsense. I'm not gonna put up with this. 903 00:46:43,125 --> 00:46:45,000 Let me. Ma, listen. 904 00:46:45,083 --> 00:46:48,375 I'll call down to the deli and get you a Coke. But let's get started. 905 00:46:48,458 --> 00:46:51,291 Sylvester's standing there ready to go, the band's all set up. 906 00:46:51,375 --> 00:46:52,833 Let's do this one song. 907 00:46:52,916 --> 00:46:55,000 Too cheap to buy me a Coca-Cola. I'll buy my own. 908 00:46:55,083 --> 00:46:57,083 Slow Drag, Sylvester. Go on, baby. 909 00:46:57,166 --> 00:47:01,125 Get me three bottles of Coca-Cola, ice cold. Get y'all something too. 910 00:47:01,208 --> 00:47:02,250 -Keep the change. -Yes, ma'am. 911 00:47:03,208 --> 00:47:04,958 Irvin, get away from me. Shit. 912 00:47:05,041 --> 00:47:07,458 You can wait till I get my Coca-Cola. Ain't gonna kill you. 913 00:47:07,541 --> 00:47:09,958 Okay, Ma. Get your Coke. 914 00:47:10,041 --> 00:47:11,500 Gentlemen, the band room. 915 00:47:12,083 --> 00:47:14,166 Christ sakes, get your Coke. 916 00:47:18,708 --> 00:47:19,875 Cutler. 917 00:47:21,500 --> 00:47:23,208 Come here a minute. I need to talk to you. 918 00:47:28,416 --> 00:47:30,125 [horns honking] 919 00:47:34,291 --> 00:47:36,375 -[bell dinging] -[indistinct chatter] 920 00:47:36,458 --> 00:47:37,875 [chatter stops] 921 00:47:41,916 --> 00:47:45,125 What's all this shit about "the boys in the band said"? 922 00:47:45,208 --> 00:47:47,166 I tells you what to do. 923 00:47:47,250 --> 00:47:50,625 I says what the matter is with the band. I say who can and can't do what. 924 00:47:50,708 --> 00:47:52,250 We just say 'cause the boy stutter. 925 00:47:52,333 --> 00:47:54,416 I know he stutters. Don't you think I know? 926 00:47:54,500 --> 00:47:55,833 This is what gonna help him. 927 00:47:55,916 --> 00:47:57,166 We thought it'd be easier-- 928 00:47:57,250 --> 00:47:58,916 He gonna do the part. I don't wanna hear any more of this shit 929 00:47:59,000 --> 00:48:01,000 about what the boys in the band says. 930 00:48:05,916 --> 00:48:09,625 And I want you to find somebody to replace Levee when we get to Memphis. 931 00:48:09,708 --> 00:48:11,333 Levee ain't nothing but trouble. 932 00:48:11,416 --> 00:48:12,666 Levee all right. 933 00:48:12,750 --> 00:48:15,250 He plays good music when he puts his mind to it. 934 00:48:15,333 --> 00:48:17,500 -He know how to write music too. -I don't care. 935 00:48:17,583 --> 00:48:18,625 He ain't nothing but bad news. 936 00:48:18,708 --> 00:48:21,166 Find somebody else. He the ringtail leader. 937 00:48:21,250 --> 00:48:23,666 I know it was his idea who to say who can do what. 938 00:48:23,750 --> 00:48:27,208 Dussie Mae! Sit your ass down and stop flaunting yourself around. 939 00:48:27,291 --> 00:48:28,375 I ain't doing nothing. 940 00:48:28,458 --> 00:48:30,583 Just go somewhere and stay out of the way. 941 00:48:38,333 --> 00:48:39,250 [door shuts] 942 00:48:45,708 --> 00:48:48,541 [humming] 943 00:48:48,625 --> 00:48:51,458 ♪ You can slide across the floor ♪ 944 00:48:51,541 --> 00:48:54,916 ♪ You'll never have to stall My jelly roll ♪ 945 00:48:55,000 --> 00:48:59,833 ♪ Oh, my jelly roll My jelly roll ♪ 946 00:48:59,916 --> 00:49:02,833 Hi. I just wanted to see what it look like down here. 947 00:49:03,625 --> 00:49:04,958 Well, come on in. 948 00:49:05,791 --> 00:49:06,791 I don't bite. 949 00:49:09,125 --> 00:49:10,541 I didn't know you could write music. 950 00:49:10,625 --> 00:49:13,416 I just thought you was jiving me at the club last night. 951 00:49:13,500 --> 00:49:15,666 No, baby. I knows how to write music. 952 00:49:15,750 --> 00:49:18,000 I done give some of my songs to Mr. Sturdyvant. 953 00:49:18,083 --> 00:49:19,583 He say he gonna let me record 'em. 954 00:49:19,666 --> 00:49:21,375 I'm gonna have my own band. 955 00:49:21,458 --> 00:49:25,541 Hey, Toledo. Ain't I give Mr. Sturdyvant some of my songs I wrote? 956 00:49:26,125 --> 00:49:27,916 Don't get Toledo mixed up in nothing. 957 00:49:29,708 --> 00:49:31,666 You gonna have your own band, sure enough? 958 00:49:32,250 --> 00:49:36,333 -Levee Green and his Footstompers. -[giggles] 959 00:49:36,416 --> 00:49:39,791 A man what's gonna get his own band need to have a woman like you. 960 00:49:39,875 --> 00:49:43,166 A woman like me need a man to bring it and put it in my hand. 961 00:49:44,000 --> 00:49:45,583 I don't need nobody getting something for nothing 962 00:49:45,666 --> 00:49:47,458 and leave me standing in my door. 963 00:49:47,541 --> 00:49:51,041 That ain't Levee's style, sugar. I knows how to treat a woman. 964 00:49:51,625 --> 00:49:54,625 Buy her presents and things. Treat her like she want to be treated. 965 00:49:54,708 --> 00:49:57,833 That's what they all say till it come time to be buying the presents. 966 00:49:57,916 --> 00:50:01,625 When we get down to Memphis, I'm gonna take you out, 967 00:50:01,708 --> 00:50:03,375 show you a good time. 968 00:50:04,208 --> 00:50:06,291 Show you Levee know how to treat a woman. 969 00:50:12,000 --> 00:50:13,000 Ma. 970 00:50:14,750 --> 00:50:18,916 This "Moonshine Blues," that's one of them songs that Bessie Smith sangs, I believe. 971 00:50:19,000 --> 00:50:19,916 Bessie what? 972 00:50:20,500 --> 00:50:21,791 I ain't thinking about Bessie. 973 00:50:22,333 --> 00:50:24,958 Shit. I taught Bessie. Bessie ain't doing nothing but imitating me. 974 00:50:25,041 --> 00:50:28,166 What I care about Bessie? I don't care if she sell a million record. 975 00:50:28,250 --> 00:50:31,250 She got her people. I got mine. I don't care what nobody else do. 976 00:50:31,333 --> 00:50:33,000 Ma was the first. Don't you forget it. 977 00:50:33,083 --> 00:50:34,416 Nobody said nothing about all that. 978 00:50:34,500 --> 00:50:36,541 -I'm saying that's the song she sang. -I've been doing this a long time. 979 00:50:36,625 --> 00:50:39,666 Ever since I was a little girl. I don't care what nobody else do. 980 00:50:39,750 --> 00:50:42,250 Shoot. That's what get me so mad with Irvin. 981 00:50:43,583 --> 00:50:45,375 White folks try to be put out with you all the time. 982 00:50:45,458 --> 00:50:47,750 Too cheap to buy you a damn Coca-Cola. 983 00:50:47,833 --> 00:50:50,291 I lets them know it, though. Ma don't stand for no shit. 984 00:50:51,041 --> 00:50:52,083 Shoot. 985 00:50:52,166 --> 00:50:55,166 They wanna take your voice and trap it in all them fancy boxes 986 00:50:55,250 --> 00:50:59,666 with all them buttons and dials, and then too cheap to buy you a Coca-Cola. 987 00:51:00,250 --> 00:51:02,166 Don't cost but a nickel a bottle. 988 00:51:04,791 --> 00:51:05,708 [door slams shut] 989 00:51:06,833 --> 00:51:08,791 They don't care nothing about me. 990 00:51:11,958 --> 00:51:15,083 All they want is my voice. 991 00:51:18,750 --> 00:51:20,083 Well, I done learned that. 992 00:51:22,125 --> 00:51:24,208 And they gonna treat me the way I want to be treated 993 00:51:24,291 --> 00:51:25,916 no matter how much it hurt 'em. 994 00:51:29,666 --> 00:51:32,500 They back there right now calling me all kinds of names. 995 00:51:32,583 --> 00:51:34,541 Calling me everything but a child of God. 996 00:51:35,166 --> 00:51:38,541 But they can't do nothing else 'cause they ain't got what they wanted yet. 997 00:51:39,375 --> 00:51:43,000 As soon as they get my voice down on one them recording machines, 998 00:51:43,750 --> 00:51:48,291 then it's just like I'd be some whore and they roll over and put their pants on. 999 00:51:48,375 --> 00:51:50,125 They ain't got no use for me then. 1000 00:51:52,000 --> 00:51:54,083 I know what I'm talking about. You watch. 1001 00:51:54,791 --> 00:51:57,500 And Irvin, he right there with the rest of them. 1002 00:51:57,583 --> 00:51:59,333 He don't care nothing about me either. 1003 00:52:00,041 --> 00:52:03,250 He's been my manager for six years, and the only time he had me over his house 1004 00:52:03,333 --> 00:52:05,083 was to sing for some of his white friends. 1005 00:52:05,166 --> 00:52:07,000 Huh. I know how they do. 1006 00:52:07,083 --> 00:52:09,666 Yeah. Shit, you colored and you can make 'em some money, 1007 00:52:09,750 --> 00:52:14,041 then you all right with them, otherwise you just a dog in the alley. 1008 00:52:14,958 --> 00:52:16,666 I done made them more money from my records 1009 00:52:16,750 --> 00:52:19,208 than all them other recording artists they got put together, 1010 00:52:19,291 --> 00:52:23,125 and then they wanna balk about how much this session is costing them. 1011 00:52:23,208 --> 00:52:25,375 I can't see how it's costing as much as they say. 1012 00:52:25,458 --> 00:52:28,208 Shit, it ain't. I don't pay that kind of talk no mind. 1013 00:52:32,250 --> 00:52:35,000 -I already got my fellas picked out. -Mmm-hmm. 1014 00:52:35,083 --> 00:52:39,208 I'm getting me some good fellas. Know how to play real sweet music. 1015 00:52:39,291 --> 00:52:42,583 You get your own band, we'll see about this stuff you talking. 1016 00:52:43,208 --> 00:52:45,916 I just wanna show you I knows what the womens like. 1017 00:52:46,000 --> 00:52:48,875 They don't call me Sweet Lemonade for nothing. 1018 00:52:48,958 --> 00:52:50,666 Stop it now. Somebody gonna come in here. 1019 00:52:50,750 --> 00:52:51,708 No, they ain't. 1020 00:52:53,166 --> 00:52:54,166 Look here, sugar. 1021 00:52:55,000 --> 00:52:56,666 What I wants to know is, 1022 00:52:57,416 --> 00:53:02,250 can I introduce my red rooster to your brown hen. 1023 00:53:09,208 --> 00:53:13,000 You get your own band and we'll see if your red rooster know how to crow. 1024 00:53:13,083 --> 00:53:15,625 -[Dussie Mae giggling] -[Levee whoops] 1025 00:53:15,708 --> 00:53:17,333 [Levee moaning] 1026 00:53:19,333 --> 00:53:20,666 [Dussie Mae laughing] 1027 00:53:21,708 --> 00:53:24,250 [Levee] Mmm. Damn, baby. 1028 00:53:24,333 --> 00:53:27,166 Now I know why my grandpappy sat on the front porch 1029 00:53:27,250 --> 00:53:30,375 with a straight razor when my grandma hung out the wash. 1030 00:53:30,458 --> 00:53:32,000 You crazy! 1031 00:53:32,083 --> 00:53:34,250 -[Dussie Mae laughing] -[Levee] Whoo! 1032 00:53:36,958 --> 00:53:40,958 I bet you sound like the midnight train to Alabama 1033 00:53:41,041 --> 00:53:43,625 when it crosses the Mason-Dixon Line. 1034 00:53:43,708 --> 00:53:44,750 [moans] 1035 00:53:47,833 --> 00:53:50,083 [Dussie Mae] How you get so crazy? 1036 00:53:50,166 --> 00:53:53,333 It's women like you that drive me so… 1037 00:53:54,958 --> 00:53:56,666 -Good God. -[laughing] 1038 00:53:57,250 --> 00:53:59,833 Happy birthday to the lady with the cakes. 1039 00:54:00,416 --> 00:54:02,875 [discordant notes play on piano] 1040 00:54:02,958 --> 00:54:04,416 [Dussie Mae moaning] 1041 00:54:04,500 --> 00:54:06,375 [both laugh] 1042 00:54:13,208 --> 00:54:15,000 Sure done got quiet in here. 1043 00:54:19,125 --> 00:54:21,208 I never could stand no silence. 1044 00:54:22,333 --> 00:54:25,458 I always got to have some music going on in my head somewhere. 1045 00:54:26,250 --> 00:54:27,875 It keeps things balanced. 1046 00:54:27,958 --> 00:54:30,125 Music will do that. It fills things up. 1047 00:54:31,458 --> 00:54:34,875 The more music you have in the world, the fuller it is. 1048 00:54:34,958 --> 00:54:37,916 I can agree with that. I got to have my music too. 1049 00:54:38,541 --> 00:54:40,875 White folk don't understand about the blues. 1050 00:54:41,875 --> 00:54:44,541 They hear it come out, but they don't know how it got there. 1051 00:54:46,208 --> 00:54:49,041 They don't understand that that's life's way of talking. 1052 00:54:50,208 --> 00:54:51,750 You don't sing to feel better. 1053 00:54:52,625 --> 00:54:55,500 You sing 'cause that's a way of understanding life. 1054 00:54:57,750 --> 00:55:00,208 The blues help you get out of bed in the morning. 1055 00:55:02,041 --> 00:55:04,250 You get up knowing you ain't alone. 1056 00:55:05,958 --> 00:55:07,791 There's something else in the world. 1057 00:55:09,208 --> 00:55:12,666 Something's been added by that song. 1058 00:55:15,458 --> 00:55:16,375 Mmm. 1059 00:55:19,541 --> 00:55:22,125 This be an empty world without the blues. 1060 00:55:22,208 --> 00:55:23,541 [both laugh] 1061 00:55:24,333 --> 00:55:25,166 Yeah. 1062 00:55:25,250 --> 00:55:28,708 I try to take that emptiness and fill it up with something. 1063 00:55:29,500 --> 00:55:31,125 Ooh! [chuckles] 1064 00:55:33,833 --> 00:55:37,208 I ain't started blues way of singing. Blues always been there. 1065 00:55:37,291 --> 00:55:39,000 But if they wanna call me the Mother of Blues, 1066 00:55:39,083 --> 00:55:41,208 that's all right with me. It don't hurt none. 1067 00:55:41,291 --> 00:55:42,625 [both laugh] 1068 00:55:43,708 --> 00:55:46,500 Sure did take y'all a long time. Sylvester, get Irvin. 1069 00:55:46,583 --> 00:55:47,708 Tell him we ready to go. 1070 00:55:47,791 --> 00:55:48,708 I'll grab Levee. 1071 00:55:53,041 --> 00:55:54,208 [Dussie Mae moans] 1072 00:55:54,291 --> 00:55:56,666 [Levee exhales] 1073 00:55:59,083 --> 00:56:00,041 [Levee] Ah… 1074 00:56:05,541 --> 00:56:07,250 [knocking at door] 1075 00:56:07,333 --> 00:56:09,708 Ma got her Coke, Levee. We about ready to start. 1076 00:56:09,791 --> 00:56:11,791 -[Levee whispers] Get this off me. -[Dussie Mae] Okay. 1077 00:56:11,875 --> 00:56:15,833 -[Levee whispers] Okay, gotta go. -[Dussie Mae whispers] Just go! 1078 00:56:15,916 --> 00:56:17,750 [Ma Rainey sipping loudly] 1079 00:56:30,041 --> 00:56:33,583 Okay, boys. "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom," take one. 1080 00:56:34,916 --> 00:56:37,625 Two, you know what to do. 1081 00:56:38,208 --> 00:56:40,041 [blues music playing] 1082 00:56:40,125 --> 00:56:45,250 All right, boys, you… you… d… done… 1083 00:56:48,208 --> 00:56:49,333 Take two. 1084 00:56:50,125 --> 00:56:51,208 All right, boys, 1085 00:56:51,291 --> 00:56:54,458 you done seen the rest. Now I'm gonna show you the best. 1086 00:56:54,541 --> 00:56:58,208 Ma Rainey's gonna show you her… B… B… B… 1087 00:57:01,875 --> 00:57:03,000 Take… 1088 00:57:05,250 --> 00:57:06,166 [Ma Rainey] Hmm. 1089 00:57:07,166 --> 00:57:08,000 [sips loudly] 1090 00:57:12,416 --> 00:57:15,208 Ma, can we just do it without the… 1091 00:57:17,375 --> 00:57:18,458 Take six. 1092 00:57:22,875 --> 00:57:23,708 [yawns] 1093 00:57:26,375 --> 00:57:27,500 Take seven. 1094 00:57:29,708 --> 00:57:30,791 [blues music playing] 1095 00:57:30,875 --> 00:57:31,916 All right, boys, 1096 00:57:32,625 --> 00:57:36,000 you done seen the rest. Now I'm gonna show you the best. 1097 00:57:36,708 --> 00:57:38,958 Ma Rainey's gonna show you her black bottom. 1098 00:57:39,583 --> 00:57:42,875 ♪ Way down South in Alabamy ♪ 1099 00:57:44,250 --> 00:57:47,541 ♪ I got a friend they call Dancin' Sammy ♪ 1100 00:57:48,791 --> 00:57:52,416 ♪ Who's crazy About all the latest dances ♪ 1101 00:57:53,041 --> 00:57:57,333 ♪ Black bottom stomps And the new baby prances ♪ 1102 00:57:57,416 --> 00:58:01,833 ♪ The other night at a swell affair ♪ 1103 00:58:02,416 --> 00:58:05,916 ♪ Soon as the boys Found out that I was there ♪ 1104 00:58:06,000 --> 00:58:10,541 ♪ They said, "Come on, Ma Let's go to the cabaret" ♪ 1105 00:58:11,625 --> 00:58:15,208 ♪ When I got there, they began to say ♪ 1106 00:58:16,250 --> 00:58:19,916 ♪ "I wanna see that dance They call the black bottom" ♪ 1107 00:58:20,958 --> 00:58:23,083 ♪ "I wanna learn that dance" ♪ 1108 00:58:24,916 --> 00:58:29,458 ♪ "Wanna see the dance They call your big black bottom" ♪ 1109 00:58:30,166 --> 00:58:32,833 ♪ It'll put you in a trance ♪ 1110 00:58:34,500 --> 00:58:38,166 ♪ All the boys in the neighborhood ♪ 1111 00:58:38,250 --> 00:58:42,958 ♪ They say "Your black bottom is really good" ♪ 1112 00:58:44,250 --> 00:58:48,041 ♪ "Come on and show me Your black bottom" ♪ 1113 00:58:48,958 --> 00:58:52,208 ♪ "I wanna learn that dance" ♪ 1114 00:58:53,583 --> 00:58:57,583 ♪ I wanna see the dance They call the black bottom ♪ 1115 00:58:58,416 --> 00:59:01,041 ♪ I wanna learn that dance ♪ 1116 00:59:02,750 --> 00:59:07,750 ♪ Wanna see you do the dance You call your big black bottom ♪ 1117 00:59:07,833 --> 00:59:10,666 ♪ It'll put you in a trance ♪ 1118 00:59:12,208 --> 00:59:15,958 ♪ Early one morning 'Bout the break of day ♪ 1119 00:59:17,208 --> 00:59:21,041 ♪ Grandpa told Grandma, I heard him say ♪ 1120 00:59:21,916 --> 00:59:25,916 ♪ "Get on up and show your old man Your black bottom" ♪ 1121 00:59:26,416 --> 00:59:30,416 ♪ I wanna learn that dance Yes, sir ♪ 1122 00:59:31,500 --> 00:59:34,833 ♪ I wanna learn that dance ♪ 1123 00:59:38,583 --> 00:59:41,625 Okay, that's good, Ma. That sounded great. Good job, boys. 1124 00:59:41,708 --> 00:59:43,625 -See? I told you you could do it! -[laughs] 1125 00:59:43,708 --> 00:59:45,625 -[Cutler] He did good. -All you gotta do is set your mind to it. 1126 00:59:45,708 --> 00:59:47,250 -He did better than I thought he would. -My baby. 1127 00:59:47,333 --> 00:59:51,208 -Mwah. That's my baby. -Hey, boy. Hey, boys, Ma. 1128 00:59:51,291 --> 00:59:55,416 -Yeah! -Hey, let's do "Moonshine Blues" next? 1129 00:59:56,083 --> 00:59:57,125 "Moonshine Blues," boys. 1130 00:59:57,208 --> 01:00:00,958 Irv? Something happened with the recording. Check that mic. 1131 01:00:01,500 --> 01:00:03,583 One, one, one, two, check, one-- 1132 01:00:03,666 --> 01:00:05,375 No. The problem's with the kid's mic. 1133 01:00:06,791 --> 01:00:08,666 Oh, Christ Almighty! 1134 01:00:09,250 --> 01:00:11,000 -Ma, we didn't record the song. -Shit! 1135 01:00:11,083 --> 01:00:12,625 What you mean you didn't record the song? 1136 01:00:12,708 --> 01:00:14,208 What were you and Sturdyvant doing up there? 1137 01:00:14,291 --> 01:00:15,541 [Irvin] Levee must have kicked the plug out. 1138 01:00:15,625 --> 01:00:16,541 I ain't kicked nothing. 1139 01:00:16,625 --> 01:00:18,333 If Levee had his mind on what he was doing. 1140 01:00:18,416 --> 01:00:21,250 If it ain't one thing, it's another. Straighten your black ass out. 1141 01:00:21,333 --> 01:00:23,208 Hell, it ain't my fault. I ain't done nothing. 1142 01:00:23,291 --> 01:00:24,333 It's the cord, Mel. 1143 01:00:24,416 --> 01:00:26,333 The cord's all chewed up. We need another cord. 1144 01:00:26,416 --> 01:00:28,041 -The most disorganized… -[Irvin] Ma? 1145 01:00:28,125 --> 01:00:29,541 -[Ma Rainey] Waste of my time. -Where's she going? 1146 01:00:29,625 --> 01:00:31,083 -Shit. -[Irvin] Ma? Ma! 1147 01:00:31,666 --> 01:00:32,500 Ma? 1148 01:00:32,583 --> 01:00:35,458 If you walk out of this studio, you're through. You're washed-up. 1149 01:00:35,541 --> 01:00:37,291 Chrissakes, Mel! Ma! 1150 01:00:37,375 --> 01:00:40,250 Ma, come back here! Ma, please! 1151 01:00:43,083 --> 01:00:43,916 Listen, Ma. 1152 01:00:45,125 --> 01:00:46,833 These records are gonna be hits. 1153 01:00:47,541 --> 01:00:49,458 They are gonna sell like crazy. 1154 01:00:49,541 --> 01:00:51,416 Hell, even Sylvester will be a star. 1155 01:00:52,666 --> 01:00:53,833 Fifteen minutes. 1156 01:00:55,125 --> 01:00:58,583 That is all I am asking, Ma. Just 15 minutes. 1157 01:01:03,333 --> 01:01:06,208 Fifteen minutes. You hear me, Irvin? Fifteen minutes. 1158 01:01:06,291 --> 01:01:09,375 Then I'm gonna carry my black bottom on back down to Georgia, you hear me? 1159 01:01:09,458 --> 01:01:11,208 Fifteen minutes. [scoffs] 1160 01:01:14,958 --> 01:01:17,166 [exhales] You boys go ahead and take a break. 1161 01:01:17,250 --> 01:01:19,541 Fifteen minutes. We'll be ready to go. 1162 01:01:20,500 --> 01:01:22,333 Don't make no difference to me if she leave. 1163 01:01:22,416 --> 01:01:24,375 I'm ready to get on outta here, anyway. 1164 01:01:24,458 --> 01:01:25,583 If I was Mr. Irvin, 1165 01:01:25,666 --> 01:01:28,458 I'd go on and get them cords and things hooked up right. 1166 01:01:28,541 --> 01:01:31,333 If Levee kept his mind on his work, we wouldn't be in this fix. 1167 01:01:31,416 --> 01:01:32,625 We'd be up there finishing up. 1168 01:01:32,708 --> 01:01:35,041 Now we gotta see if that boy can get that part right. 1169 01:01:35,125 --> 01:01:37,375 He got one eye on the gal and the other on his trumpet. 1170 01:01:37,458 --> 01:01:39,125 [Cutler] Nigga, don't you know that's Ma's gal? 1171 01:01:39,208 --> 01:01:42,208 I ain't done nothing to her. I just talk to her like I talk to anybody else. 1172 01:01:42,291 --> 01:01:44,750 Your ass gonna be out there scraping the concrete, lookin' for a job, 1173 01:01:44,833 --> 01:01:45,791 you keep messing around with her. 1174 01:01:45,875 --> 01:01:48,583 I ain't done nothing to the gal. I just asked her her name. 1175 01:01:48,666 --> 01:01:51,000 If you sayin' I can't do that, Ma'll just have to go to hell. 1176 01:01:51,083 --> 01:01:53,708 I'm through with it. [scoffs] Try talking to a fool. 1177 01:01:53,791 --> 01:01:57,666 Some mens got it worse than others. Some mens is excited to be a fool. 1178 01:01:57,750 --> 01:01:59,375 [chuckles] 1179 01:01:59,458 --> 01:02:02,083 I knows about it. The excitement is something else. 1180 01:02:02,166 --> 01:02:05,875 I done experienced it. Make you feel good to be a fool. 1181 01:02:06,458 --> 01:02:07,791 But it don't last long. 1182 01:02:07,875 --> 01:02:11,083 Over in a minute, then you got to tend with the consequences. 1183 01:02:11,166 --> 01:02:14,541 That's the best sense you made all day, talking about being a fool. 1184 01:02:14,625 --> 01:02:17,833 That's the only sensible thing you said today, admitting you was a fool. 1185 01:02:17,916 --> 01:02:21,375 Oh, I admits it, all right. Ain't nothing wrong with it. 1186 01:02:21,458 --> 01:02:24,375 I done been a little bit of everything. [chuckles] 1187 01:02:24,458 --> 01:02:27,166 Gonna be a bit more things before I'm finished with it. 1188 01:02:27,250 --> 01:02:29,375 But I ain't never been the same fool twice. 1189 01:02:29,458 --> 01:02:30,791 That's where we part ways. 1190 01:02:30,875 --> 01:02:33,208 But you been a fool. That's what counts. 1191 01:02:33,291 --> 01:02:35,416 Talking about I'm a fool for asking the girl her name, 1192 01:02:35,500 --> 01:02:37,125 and here you is one yourself. 1193 01:02:37,208 --> 01:02:39,000 I married a woman. A good woman. 1194 01:02:39,083 --> 01:02:42,125 To this day, I can't say nothing bad about this woman. 1195 01:02:42,208 --> 01:02:45,583 I married her with all the good intentions and graces of being hooked up, 1196 01:02:45,666 --> 01:02:47,875 bound to her for the rest of my life. 1197 01:02:47,958 --> 01:02:49,833 Looking for this woman to put me in my grave, 1198 01:02:50,416 --> 01:02:52,666 but she went out and joined the church. 1199 01:02:54,000 --> 01:02:58,625 She got up there and got to seeing them good Christian men 1200 01:02:58,708 --> 01:03:00,791 and wondering why I ain't like that. 1201 01:03:01,375 --> 01:03:04,125 Soon she figured she hooked up to a heathen. 1202 01:03:04,208 --> 01:03:05,500 Couldn't live like that. 1203 01:03:06,750 --> 01:03:07,750 So she left. 1204 01:03:08,500 --> 01:03:09,625 Hmm. 1205 01:03:09,708 --> 01:03:14,416 I just sat down and I figured I was a fool 1206 01:03:14,500 --> 01:03:18,000 not to see that she needed something that I wasn't giving her, 1207 01:03:18,083 --> 01:03:20,416 else she wouldn't have been up there at the church. 1208 01:03:21,000 --> 01:03:21,958 So, yeah… 1209 01:03:22,833 --> 01:03:25,041 Toledo been a fool about a woman. 1210 01:03:26,416 --> 01:03:27,791 That's part of making life. 1211 01:03:28,958 --> 01:03:31,041 Toledo, what you call a fool 1212 01:03:31,125 --> 01:03:33,416 and what I call a fool are two different things. 1213 01:03:33,500 --> 01:03:37,666 A fool is responsible for what happen to him. 1214 01:03:37,750 --> 01:03:40,291 A fool cause it to happen. Like Levee. 1215 01:03:40,791 --> 01:03:44,583 He keep messing around with Ma's gal, his feet be out there scraping the ground. 1216 01:03:44,666 --> 01:03:46,750 -That's a fool. -Nothing gonna happen to Levee. 1217 01:03:46,833 --> 01:03:48,416 Levee ain't gonna let nothing happen to him. 1218 01:03:48,500 --> 01:03:51,375 Better not let Ma see you ask her. That's what the man's trying to tell you. 1219 01:03:51,458 --> 01:03:53,208 I don't need nobody to tell me nothing. 1220 01:03:53,291 --> 01:03:55,958 Toledo, all I'm saying is, from the looks of it, 1221 01:03:56,041 --> 01:03:58,375 from your story, I don't think life treated you fair. 1222 01:03:58,458 --> 01:03:59,750 Oh, life's fair. 1223 01:03:59,833 --> 01:04:00,958 Life ain't shit. 1224 01:04:01,041 --> 01:04:03,208 You can put it in a paper bag and carry it around with you. 1225 01:04:03,291 --> 01:04:05,500 -It ain't got no balls. -[door clangs] 1226 01:04:05,583 --> 01:04:08,333 Now death? Death got some style. 1227 01:04:08,416 --> 01:04:11,000 Death will kick your ass and make you wish you never been born. 1228 01:04:11,083 --> 01:04:12,500 That's how bad death is. 1229 01:04:12,583 --> 01:04:14,791 But you can rule over life. Life ain't nothing. 1230 01:04:14,875 --> 01:04:17,625 Nigga talking about life is fair and ain't got a pot to piss in. 1231 01:04:17,708 --> 01:04:19,708 All right. Now I'm gonna tell you something. 1232 01:04:19,791 --> 01:04:22,166 A nigga gonna be dissatisfied no matter what. 1233 01:04:22,250 --> 01:04:24,250 Niggas got a right to be dissatisfied. 1234 01:04:24,333 --> 01:04:27,291 Is you gonna be satisfied with a bone somebody done throwed you 1235 01:04:27,375 --> 01:04:29,458 when you done seen them eating a whole hog? 1236 01:04:29,541 --> 01:04:32,625 You lucky they let you be an entertainer. You're lucky and don't even know it. 1237 01:04:32,708 --> 01:04:36,458 I'm talking about being satisfied with a bone somebody done throwed you. 1238 01:04:36,541 --> 01:04:40,125 That's what's the matter with y'all, you're satisfied sitting in one place. 1239 01:04:40,208 --> 01:04:41,750 Soon as I get my band together 1240 01:04:41,833 --> 01:04:44,333 and record them songs Mr. Sturdyvant done told me I can make, 1241 01:04:44,416 --> 01:04:47,500 I'm gonna be like Ma and tell the white man just what he can do. 1242 01:04:48,083 --> 01:04:49,625 Ma tell Mr. Irvin she leaving? 1243 01:04:49,708 --> 01:04:53,125 Mr. Irvin get down on his knees and beg her to stay. 1244 01:04:53,208 --> 01:04:56,333 That's the way I'm gonna be. Make the white man respect me. 1245 01:04:56,416 --> 01:04:58,375 The white man don't care nothing about Ma. 1246 01:04:58,458 --> 01:05:00,625 The colored folks made Ma a star. 1247 01:05:00,708 --> 01:05:03,375 The white folks don't care nothing about who she is 1248 01:05:03,458 --> 01:05:04,958 or what kind of music she make. 1249 01:05:05,041 --> 01:05:07,916 Let her go to one of them white folks hotel and see how big she is. 1250 01:05:08,000 --> 01:05:10,666 [scoffs] Hell, she can't even get a cab up here in the North. 1251 01:05:10,750 --> 01:05:13,083 I'mma tell you something. Reverend Gates. 1252 01:05:13,166 --> 01:05:15,500 Slow Drag, you know who I'm talking about. Reverend Gates. 1253 01:05:15,583 --> 01:05:19,333 Reverend Gates was, uh, coming up from Tallahassee to Atlanta 1254 01:05:19,416 --> 01:05:22,875 to see his sister who was sick at that time with the consumption. 1255 01:05:23,708 --> 01:05:26,583 The train come up through Thomasville, then past Moultrie, 1256 01:05:26,666 --> 01:05:29,083 and then ended up in this little town called Sigsbee. 1257 01:05:29,166 --> 01:05:31,166 You can stop telling that right there. 1258 01:05:31,250 --> 01:05:35,166 Ain't but one train come out of Tallahassee headed north to Atlanta. 1259 01:05:35,250 --> 01:05:36,458 It don't stop at Sigsbee. 1260 01:05:36,541 --> 01:05:38,875 The only train that stop at Sigsbee is the Santa Fe, 1261 01:05:38,958 --> 01:05:40,541 and you gotta transfer at Moultrie to get it. 1262 01:05:40,625 --> 01:05:42,291 Maybe that's what he done. I don't know. 1263 01:05:42,375 --> 01:05:44,458 I'm just telling you he got off at Sigsbee. 1264 01:05:44,541 --> 01:05:47,208 You telling it. Tell it your way. Just make up anything. 1265 01:05:47,291 --> 01:05:49,125 Leave him alone and let him finish. 1266 01:05:49,208 --> 01:05:50,708 Go on, tell it your way. 1267 01:05:50,791 --> 01:05:54,000 Reverend Gates got off this train in Sigsbee. 1268 01:05:54,083 --> 01:05:55,458 Figured he'd check the schedule 1269 01:05:55,541 --> 01:05:59,333 to make sure he arrived in time for somebody to pick him up. All right? 1270 01:05:59,416 --> 01:06:03,791 While he's there, it come upon him that he had to go to the bathroom. 1271 01:06:03,875 --> 01:06:05,875 Now, the only colored restroom they had 1272 01:06:05,958 --> 01:06:09,791 was an outhouse they had sitting way back, 200 yards or so from the train station. 1273 01:06:10,541 --> 01:06:13,916 While he's in the outhouse, the train go off and leave without him. 1274 01:06:14,541 --> 01:06:17,833 Now, he don't know where he is in this town. 1275 01:06:17,916 --> 01:06:19,875 In fact, he ain't never heard of it before. 1276 01:06:19,958 --> 01:06:22,083 I heard of it, and he ain't got off no train 1277 01:06:22,166 --> 01:06:24,208 coming outta Tallahassee in Sigsbee. 1278 01:06:24,791 --> 01:06:28,125 The man's standing there trying to figure out what he gonna do, 1279 01:06:28,208 --> 01:06:30,500 where this train done left him in this strange town. 1280 01:06:32,416 --> 01:06:33,625 It started getting dark. 1281 01:06:34,333 --> 01:06:36,708 He sees where the sun's getting low in the sky, 1282 01:06:36,791 --> 01:06:39,166 and he's trying to figure out what he gonna do, 1283 01:06:39,250 --> 01:06:40,750 when he noticed a couple of white fellas 1284 01:06:40,833 --> 01:06:42,875 standing across the street from the station. 1285 01:06:42,958 --> 01:06:44,875 Just standing there, watching him. 1286 01:06:46,000 --> 01:06:48,750 Then two or three more fellas come up and join the other one. 1287 01:06:49,250 --> 01:06:53,250 Now he look around the station. He don't see no colored folks nowhere. 1288 01:06:53,750 --> 01:06:55,583 He don't know what's getting into these fellas' minds, 1289 01:06:55,666 --> 01:06:57,791 so he commence to walking. 1290 01:06:57,875 --> 01:07:01,000 He don't know where he walking. He walking down the railroad tracks 1291 01:07:01,083 --> 01:07:03,416 when he hear, "Hey, nigger." 1292 01:07:04,833 --> 01:07:06,250 Just like that. 1293 01:07:07,041 --> 01:07:08,458 "Hey, nigger." 1294 01:07:10,041 --> 01:07:11,208 He keep walking. 1295 01:07:12,083 --> 01:07:15,125 They call him some more. He kept walking. 1296 01:07:16,291 --> 01:07:19,833 Then he heard a gunshot. Yeah. He stopped then, you know. 1297 01:07:20,708 --> 01:07:21,916 They crowded around him. 1298 01:07:22,666 --> 01:07:23,791 He's standing there, 1299 01:07:24,583 --> 01:07:26,166 cross around his neck, 1300 01:07:26,250 --> 01:07:29,291 and the little Bible that he keep with him all the time. 1301 01:07:30,458 --> 01:07:34,083 They ask who he was. He said he was Reverend Gates 1302 01:07:34,166 --> 01:07:35,666 and he was on his way to see his sister 1303 01:07:35,750 --> 01:07:37,958 who was sick, and the train went off and left him. 1304 01:07:38,041 --> 01:07:40,916 And they said, "Yeah, nigger?" 1305 01:07:41,500 --> 01:07:43,166 "But can you dance?" 1306 01:07:47,125 --> 01:07:48,416 He looked at them 1307 01:07:49,125 --> 01:07:50,583 and commenced to dancing. 1308 01:07:53,333 --> 01:07:56,416 One of them reached up and tore his cross off his neck, 1309 01:07:56,500 --> 01:08:00,000 said he was committing heresy by dancing with a cross and a Bible. 1310 01:08:02,375 --> 01:08:04,958 Took his Bible and tore it up, 1311 01:08:05,041 --> 01:08:07,833 and had him dancing till they got tired of watching him. 1312 01:08:09,125 --> 01:08:13,708 -That's the only way that man-- -What I wants to know is, he a man of God. 1313 01:08:13,791 --> 01:08:16,416 Where the hell was God when all this was going on? 1314 01:08:17,458 --> 01:08:19,458 Why didn't God strike down them crackers 1315 01:08:19,541 --> 01:08:21,666 with some of this lightning you talking about to me? 1316 01:08:22,166 --> 01:08:23,958 Levee, you gonna burn in hell. 1317 01:08:24,041 --> 01:08:26,750 Why didn't God strike some of them crackers down? Tell me that. 1318 01:08:26,833 --> 01:08:29,875 That's the question. Don't come telling me this burning-in-hell shit. 1319 01:08:30,541 --> 01:08:31,958 He a man of God, 1320 01:08:32,041 --> 01:08:34,500 why didn't God strike some of them crackers down? 1321 01:08:35,541 --> 01:08:38,666 I'll tell you why. I'll tell you the truth. 1322 01:08:39,541 --> 01:08:41,875 God ain't never listened to no nigga's prayers. 1323 01:08:41,958 --> 01:08:44,250 God take the nigga's prayers and throw them in the garbage. 1324 01:08:44,333 --> 01:08:48,666 God don't pay niggas no mind. In fact, God hate niggas. 1325 01:08:49,291 --> 01:08:51,583 Hate them with all the fury in his heart. 1326 01:08:51,666 --> 01:08:54,333 Jesus don't love you, nigga. Jesus hate your black ass. 1327 01:08:54,416 --> 01:08:56,958 Come talking that shit to me. Talking about burning in hell. 1328 01:08:57,041 --> 01:08:58,916 God can kiss my ass. 1329 01:08:59,000 --> 01:09:00,250 [grunts] 1330 01:09:00,333 --> 01:09:04,666 You wanna blaspheme my God! That's my God! My God, you worthless-- 1331 01:09:04,750 --> 01:09:06,125 Let him go! 1332 01:09:06,208 --> 01:09:07,416 -You worthless! -Let him go! 1333 01:09:07,500 --> 01:09:10,541 -That's my God! Blaspheme my God. -Let it go! It don't mean nothing! 1334 01:09:11,500 --> 01:09:13,000 It don't mean nothing! 1335 01:09:13,583 --> 01:09:16,125 It's your God, huh? Is that right? 1336 01:09:18,708 --> 01:09:21,083 All right, I'm gonna give your God a chance. 1337 01:09:21,708 --> 01:09:23,583 I'm gonna give your God a chance. 1338 01:09:23,666 --> 01:09:25,916 I'm gonna give him a chance to save your black ass. 1339 01:09:26,458 --> 01:09:28,916 -Put that knife up! -Stay out of this, Toledo. 1340 01:09:29,000 --> 01:09:30,166 -That's no way to solve nothing. -Put that knife up! 1341 01:09:30,250 --> 01:09:33,166 I'm talking to Cutler's God! You hear me? 1342 01:09:33,250 --> 01:09:36,500 Cutler's God! I'm calling Cutler's God! 1343 01:09:37,708 --> 01:09:39,291 Come on and save this nigga. 1344 01:09:39,875 --> 01:09:42,125 Strike me down before I cut his throat. 1345 01:09:42,208 --> 01:09:45,041 -You gonna burn in hell, nigga. -I'm calling your God. 1346 01:09:45,666 --> 01:09:49,416 I'm gonna give him a chance to save you. I'm calling your God! 1347 01:09:50,166 --> 01:09:51,416 Cutler's God? 1348 01:09:51,500 --> 01:09:53,375 Come on and save this nigga. 1349 01:09:54,208 --> 01:09:56,416 Come on and save him like you did my mama. 1350 01:09:57,750 --> 01:10:00,000 Save him like you did my mama! 1351 01:10:02,541 --> 01:10:04,375 I heard her when she call you. 1352 01:10:06,083 --> 01:10:10,750 I heard her when she said, "Lord have mercy. Jesus help me." 1353 01:10:11,750 --> 01:10:15,375 "Please, God, have mercy on me, Lord. Jesus help me." 1354 01:10:16,958 --> 01:10:18,708 Did you turn your back? 1355 01:10:21,541 --> 01:10:24,083 Did you turn your back, motherfucker? 1356 01:10:25,500 --> 01:10:27,125 Did you turn your back? 1357 01:10:29,166 --> 01:10:30,000 Come on. 1358 01:10:31,375 --> 01:10:33,375 Come on and turn your back on me. 1359 01:10:35,416 --> 01:10:37,166 Turn your back on me! 1360 01:10:38,291 --> 01:10:39,625 Come on. Where is you? 1361 01:10:41,208 --> 01:10:43,333 Come on and turn your back on me! 1362 01:10:44,791 --> 01:10:48,625 Turn your back on me, motherfucker! I'll cut your heart out! 1363 01:10:49,791 --> 01:10:53,166 Come on. What's the matter? Where is you? 1364 01:10:54,125 --> 01:10:56,041 Come on and turn your back on me. 1365 01:10:57,041 --> 01:10:59,166 Come on, what you scared of? 1366 01:11:00,666 --> 01:11:04,500 Turn your back on me! Come on! 1367 01:11:06,416 --> 01:11:07,750 [scoffs] 1368 01:11:10,500 --> 01:11:12,333 Coward motherfucker! 1369 01:11:14,541 --> 01:11:17,125 [panting] 1370 01:11:17,208 --> 01:11:18,833 Your God ain't shit, Cutler. 1371 01:11:22,208 --> 01:11:23,625 Your God ain't shit. 1372 01:11:28,208 --> 01:11:29,291 [exhales] 1373 01:11:30,333 --> 01:11:31,958 [panting] 1374 01:11:36,916 --> 01:11:38,708 [trumpet playing] 1375 01:11:39,916 --> 01:11:44,041 ♪ Hello, central, give me 609 ♪ 1376 01:11:44,750 --> 01:11:48,250 ♪ What it takes to get it In these hips of mine ♪ 1377 01:11:48,333 --> 01:11:51,000 ♪ Oh, you'll hear me talking to you ♪ 1378 01:11:51,583 --> 01:11:54,625 ♪ I don't bite my tongue ♪ 1379 01:11:56,958 --> 01:11:59,416 ♪ You wanna be my man ♪ 1380 01:11:59,500 --> 01:12:03,041 ♪ You better bring it with you When you come ♪ 1381 01:12:06,375 --> 01:12:08,916 ♪ You wanna be my man ♪ 1382 01:12:09,000 --> 01:12:12,958 ♪ Bring it with you when you come ♪ 1383 01:12:23,916 --> 01:12:25,708 Wonderful. We got that, boys. 1384 01:12:25,791 --> 01:12:26,875 Whoo-hoo! 1385 01:12:26,958 --> 01:12:29,250 Good session, Ma. We've got ourselves some winners! 1386 01:12:29,333 --> 01:12:31,333 Slow Drag, where you learn to play that bass at? 1387 01:12:31,416 --> 01:12:33,250 I heard it singing. I heard you. 1388 01:12:33,333 --> 01:12:35,041 You had that bass jumping all over the place. 1389 01:12:35,125 --> 01:12:36,291 I was following Toledo. 1390 01:12:36,375 --> 01:12:38,500 Nigga got them long fingers striding all over the piano. 1391 01:12:38,583 --> 01:12:41,125 -I was trying to keep up with him. -That's what you supposed to do. 1392 01:12:41,208 --> 01:12:42,916 -Play the music. -Cutler, you hear Slow Drag 1393 01:12:43,000 --> 01:12:44,875 on that bass spanking like you spank a baby? 1394 01:12:44,958 --> 01:12:46,666 -[spanks] -Boom! 1395 01:12:47,291 --> 01:12:49,666 Levee, what were you doing? Why you playing all them notes? 1396 01:12:49,750 --> 01:12:52,958 Playing ten notes for every one you supposed to play. Don't call for all that. 1397 01:12:53,041 --> 01:12:55,500 You're supposed to improvise on the theme. That's what I was doing. 1398 01:12:55,583 --> 01:12:57,416 You're supposed to play the song like I sing it. 1399 01:12:57,500 --> 01:12:59,625 [chuckling] The way everybody else play it. 1400 01:12:59,708 --> 01:13:01,666 I was playing the song the way I felt it. 1401 01:13:01,750 --> 01:13:04,791 I'm trying to sing my song and you messing up my ear. 1402 01:13:04,875 --> 01:13:07,750 -You call that playing music? -Hey, I know what I'm doing. 1403 01:13:08,583 --> 01:13:10,583 Y'all back up and leave me alone about my music. 1404 01:13:10,666 --> 01:13:13,458 I done told you it ain't about your music. It's about Ma's music. 1405 01:13:13,541 --> 01:13:14,958 That's all right. I told you what to do. 1406 01:13:15,041 --> 01:13:17,000 What I care about what you and Cutler do? 1407 01:13:21,333 --> 01:13:24,583 Y'all gonna fire me. I don't care. I'll go get my own band anyway. 1408 01:13:24,666 --> 01:13:27,083 -You keep messing with me-- -Nobody studying you. 1409 01:13:27,166 --> 01:13:29,000 All right, nigga. You fired. 1410 01:13:35,041 --> 01:13:37,666 You think I care about being fired? I don't care. 1411 01:13:37,750 --> 01:13:39,791 -You doing me a favor. -Cutler, Levee's out. 1412 01:13:39,875 --> 01:13:43,000 -He ain't playing in my band no more. -I'm fired? Good! 1413 01:13:43,083 --> 01:13:45,166 Best thing that ever happened to me. 1414 01:13:46,500 --> 01:13:48,250 I don't need this shit. 1415 01:13:54,083 --> 01:13:55,166 [door slams shut] 1416 01:14:03,791 --> 01:14:05,833 [breathing heavily] 1417 01:14:20,958 --> 01:14:22,500 [door rattling] 1418 01:14:23,125 --> 01:14:24,875 [grunting] 1419 01:14:27,875 --> 01:14:28,708 [grunts] 1420 01:14:31,791 --> 01:14:33,041 Okay. 1421 01:14:36,583 --> 01:14:38,208 [grunting] 1422 01:14:41,458 --> 01:14:43,000 [breathes deeply] 1423 01:14:44,541 --> 01:14:45,833 [grunts] 1424 01:14:53,375 --> 01:14:54,666 [exhales] 1425 01:14:56,916 --> 01:14:58,750 [breathes heavily] 1426 01:15:00,250 --> 01:15:01,791 [upbeat jazz music playing] 1427 01:15:12,833 --> 01:15:14,625 Mel will be out with your money in a minute. 1428 01:15:14,708 --> 01:15:16,833 That's cash money. I don't want no check. 1429 01:15:17,375 --> 01:15:20,041 I'll see what I can do. I can't promise you nothing. 1430 01:15:20,125 --> 01:15:22,625 As long as it ain't no check. I ain't got no use for a check. 1431 01:15:22,708 --> 01:15:26,708 Listen, Ma. I talked to Sturdyvant, and he said… 1432 01:15:26,791 --> 01:15:28,625 Now I tried to talk him out of it, 1433 01:15:28,708 --> 01:15:32,583 but he said the best he can do is take $25 of your money 1434 01:15:32,666 --> 01:15:34,625 and give it to Sylvester. 1435 01:15:34,708 --> 01:15:36,166 Take what and do what? 1436 01:15:37,958 --> 01:15:41,583 If I wanted the boy to have $25 of my money, I'd give it to him. 1437 01:15:42,791 --> 01:15:44,041 He's supposed to have his own money. 1438 01:15:44,125 --> 01:15:45,958 He's supposed to get paid like everybody else. 1439 01:15:46,541 --> 01:15:48,666 You go on up there, and you tell Sturdyvant 1440 01:15:48,750 --> 01:15:50,708 that he better pay the boy his own money. 1441 01:15:50,791 --> 01:15:53,416 -Yeah, I talked to him-- -[Ma Rainey] Talk to him again. 1442 01:15:53,500 --> 01:15:55,125 Tell him if he don't pay the boy his own money, 1443 01:15:55,208 --> 01:15:57,958 he'll never make another record of mine again. Tell him that. 1444 01:15:59,250 --> 01:16:02,166 You supposed to be my manager. Always talking about sticking together. 1445 01:16:02,250 --> 01:16:03,333 Start sticking. 1446 01:16:06,250 --> 01:16:08,500 -Get the boy his money! -Okay. 1447 01:16:09,208 --> 01:16:10,375 I'll see what I can do. 1448 01:16:14,458 --> 01:16:17,583 [door opens and shuts] 1449 01:16:22,208 --> 01:16:24,083 [breathing heavily] 1450 01:16:38,208 --> 01:16:39,375 [door opens] 1451 01:16:41,541 --> 01:16:42,666 Hey, Ma. 1452 01:16:44,000 --> 01:16:45,416 Is there something wrong? 1453 01:16:45,500 --> 01:16:46,750 Is there a problem? 1454 01:16:47,416 --> 01:16:49,541 I want you to pay the boy his money. 1455 01:16:49,625 --> 01:16:51,166 Sure, Ma. I got it right here. 1456 01:16:52,000 --> 01:16:55,208 It's, uh, 200 for you and 25 for the kid, right? 1457 01:16:58,333 --> 01:16:59,500 Irvin misunderstood me. 1458 01:16:59,583 --> 01:17:01,708 It was all a mistake. It was all a mistake. 1459 01:17:02,541 --> 01:17:05,125 -A mistake, huh? -Sure, Ma. Made a mistake. 1460 01:17:05,791 --> 01:17:07,166 But he's paid, right? 1461 01:17:07,250 --> 01:17:08,541 The only mistake… 1462 01:17:09,541 --> 01:17:12,375 was when you found out I hadn't signed the release forms. 1463 01:17:12,458 --> 01:17:13,541 That was a mistake. 1464 01:17:14,333 --> 01:17:16,208 Come on. Sign the forms, huh? 1465 01:17:16,291 --> 01:17:18,625 -Dussie Mae, Sylvester, come on. -Ma, sign the forms. 1466 01:17:18,708 --> 01:17:20,458 [Ma Rainey] Irvin, where's my car? 1467 01:17:20,541 --> 01:17:22,791 It's right out front. I got the keys right here. 1468 01:17:22,875 --> 01:17:25,291 Come on and sign these forms, huh? 1469 01:17:27,958 --> 01:17:28,958 [Irvin sighs] 1470 01:17:31,166 --> 01:17:32,333 Irvin, give me my keys. 1471 01:17:33,250 --> 01:17:36,166 Sure, Ma. Just… sign these forms. 1472 01:17:43,250 --> 01:17:45,125 Send them to my address. I'll get around to 'em. 1473 01:17:45,208 --> 01:17:47,916 Come on, Ma. I took care of everything, didn't I? 1474 01:17:48,000 --> 01:17:49,541 I straightened everything out. 1475 01:17:50,375 --> 01:17:51,208 Ma? 1476 01:17:55,208 --> 01:17:56,041 Please? 1477 01:17:57,375 --> 01:17:58,666 [man whistling] 1478 01:18:15,875 --> 01:18:17,500 And you tell Sturdyvant, 1479 01:18:17,583 --> 01:18:20,500 any more mistakes and I can make my records someplace else. 1480 01:18:21,166 --> 01:18:23,083 [car starting] 1481 01:18:41,541 --> 01:18:42,958 [instrument clattering] 1482 01:18:47,416 --> 01:18:51,250 [Cutler] I ain't gonna stand for it. Ain't gonna bring me no check down here. 1483 01:18:53,041 --> 01:18:54,750 Man give me a check last time. What happened? 1484 01:18:54,833 --> 01:18:56,583 We had to go all over Chicago to get it cashed. 1485 01:18:56,666 --> 01:18:59,500 See a nigga with a check, first thing they think is he stole it. 1486 01:18:59,583 --> 01:19:01,375 I ain't had no trouble cashing mine. 1487 01:19:01,458 --> 01:19:02,916 I don't visit no whore houses. 1488 01:19:03,000 --> 01:19:04,791 You don't know my business, so don't start nothing. 1489 01:19:04,875 --> 01:19:08,333 I'm tired of you as it is. I ain't but two seconds off your ass, noway. 1490 01:19:08,416 --> 01:19:09,625 Don't y'all start nothing now. 1491 01:19:09,708 --> 01:19:11,875 What the hell I care what you're tired of? I wasn't talking to you. 1492 01:19:11,958 --> 01:19:14,208 -I was talking to this man. -Boys, I've got your pay. 1493 01:19:15,250 --> 01:19:18,500 Mr. Irvin told me you boys prefer cash, and that's what I have for you. 1494 01:19:19,083 --> 01:19:21,083 That was a good session you boys put in. 1495 01:19:21,166 --> 01:19:22,000 There's 25 for you. 1496 01:19:22,083 --> 01:19:24,958 Yes, sir, you boys really know your business. Twenty-five for you. 1497 01:19:25,041 --> 01:19:28,166 We're gonna get you back in here real soon. Twenty-five. 1498 01:19:28,250 --> 01:19:31,416 And have another session, so you can make some more money. 1499 01:19:31,500 --> 01:19:32,708 And 25 for you. 1500 01:19:33,500 --> 01:19:35,125 [Levee] Uh, Mr. Sturdyvant, sir? 1501 01:19:37,875 --> 01:19:39,416 About them songs I give you? 1502 01:19:41,041 --> 01:19:43,500 Oh, yeah. Oh, Levee. Uh, I thought about it. 1503 01:19:43,583 --> 01:19:45,583 I don't think that people will buy them. 1504 01:19:45,666 --> 01:19:47,541 They're not the type of songs we're looking for. 1505 01:19:47,625 --> 01:19:50,666 Mr. Sturdyvant, sir. I done already got my band picked out. 1506 01:19:50,750 --> 01:19:54,291 I got some real good fellas. They know how to play real good music. 1507 01:19:54,375 --> 01:19:57,083 I know if the peoples hear the music, they'll buy it. 1508 01:19:57,166 --> 01:20:00,250 Uh, Levee, I'll be fair with you. They're not the right songs. 1509 01:20:00,333 --> 01:20:03,250 Mr. Sturdyvant, peoples is tired of hearing jug-band music. 1510 01:20:03,333 --> 01:20:06,291 The people in the big city? They want something with some fire to it. 1511 01:20:06,375 --> 01:20:08,458 Harlem, Detroit, DC. 1512 01:20:08,541 --> 01:20:11,666 Okay, I'll tell you what. I'll give you $5 apiece for 'em. 1513 01:20:11,750 --> 01:20:16,583 I don't want $5, Mr. Sturdyvant. I wants to record them songs like you say. 1514 01:20:16,666 --> 01:20:18,750 Like I say, they're not the kind of songs we're looking for. 1515 01:20:18,833 --> 01:20:21,250 Mr. Sturdyvant, you asked me to write them songs. 1516 01:20:21,333 --> 01:20:23,791 Why didn't you tell me that when I first give them to you? 1517 01:20:23,875 --> 01:20:25,791 You told me you was gonna let me record them. 1518 01:20:25,875 --> 01:20:27,291 What's the difference between then and now? 1519 01:20:27,375 --> 01:20:30,166 -I'll pay you for your trouble. -What's the difference? 1520 01:20:30,250 --> 01:20:31,583 That's what I wanna know. 1521 01:20:32,166 --> 01:20:34,041 I had my fellas play your songs. 1522 01:20:34,125 --> 01:20:37,500 When I heard them, they didn't sound like the kind I'm looking for right now. 1523 01:20:37,583 --> 01:20:39,541 You got to hear me play them. 1524 01:20:39,625 --> 01:20:42,666 You ain't heard me play them. That's what's gonna make them sound right. 1525 01:20:42,750 --> 01:20:44,083 Levee, I don't doubt that. 1526 01:20:44,166 --> 01:20:47,125 It's just that, I don't think they'd sell like Ma's records. 1527 01:20:48,458 --> 01:20:50,208 But I'll take 'em off your hands for you. 1528 01:20:51,916 --> 01:20:54,166 [chuckles] Mr. Sturdyvant, sir. 1529 01:20:55,041 --> 01:20:58,500 I don't know what fellas you had playing them songs, 1530 01:20:58,583 --> 01:21:02,583 but if I could play them, I'd set them down in the people's lap. 1531 01:21:02,666 --> 01:21:05,416 Now, you told me I could record them songs. 1532 01:21:05,500 --> 01:21:06,958 There's nothing I can do about that. 1533 01:21:07,041 --> 01:21:10,666 Like I say, it's $5 apiece. That's what I'll pay ya. 1534 01:21:10,750 --> 01:21:12,041 I'm doing you a favor. 1535 01:21:12,125 --> 01:21:15,541 If you write any more, I'll help you out and take 'em off your hands. 1536 01:21:15,625 --> 01:21:18,750 The price is $5 apiece. Just like now. 1537 01:21:43,250 --> 01:21:44,458 Hey, watch it, now. 1538 01:21:45,041 --> 01:21:47,041 Shit. You stepped on my shoe. 1539 01:21:47,125 --> 01:21:48,375 Excuse me there, Levee. 1540 01:21:48,458 --> 01:21:49,333 Look at that. 1541 01:21:50,500 --> 01:21:52,375 Nigga, you stepped on my shoe. 1542 01:21:52,458 --> 01:21:54,916 -What you do that for? -Said I'm sorry. 1543 01:21:55,708 --> 01:21:59,541 You gonna step on my goddamn shoe. You done fucked up my shoe. 1544 01:22:00,875 --> 01:22:02,666 Look at what you done to my shoe, nigga. 1545 01:22:03,458 --> 01:22:05,958 I ain't step on your shoe. What you wanna step on my shoe for? 1546 01:22:06,041 --> 01:22:06,958 Man said he was sorry. 1547 01:22:07,041 --> 01:22:10,125 How the hell he gonna be sorry when he done ruined my shoe? 1548 01:22:10,791 --> 01:22:12,083 Come talk about sorry. 1549 01:22:12,166 --> 01:22:14,708 Nigga, you stepped on my shoe, you know that? 1550 01:22:16,791 --> 01:22:20,708 -See what you done done? -I said, "Excuse me." Now it's over. 1551 01:22:20,791 --> 01:22:23,666 -What you want me to do, huh? -Wanna go and fuck up my shoe like that. 1552 01:22:23,750 --> 01:22:26,208 I ain't step on your shoe. Huh? Look at this. 1553 01:22:26,291 --> 01:22:29,666 -Okay, come on, now. -Naw, naw. Look at what you done. 1554 01:22:30,250 --> 01:22:32,541 Look at that. That's my shoe. 1555 01:22:32,625 --> 01:22:35,458 You did it. You did it! 1556 01:22:35,541 --> 01:22:37,000 You fucked up my shoe. 1557 01:22:37,666 --> 01:22:40,750 You stepped on my shoe with them raggedy-ass clodhoppers. 1558 01:22:40,833 --> 01:22:43,833 Ain't nobody studying about you and your shoe. 1559 01:22:44,375 --> 01:22:46,250 I said, "Excuse me." 1560 01:22:46,333 --> 01:22:49,333 If you can't accept that, then the hell with it. 1561 01:22:50,958 --> 01:22:52,208 What you want me to do? 1562 01:22:54,041 --> 01:22:55,875 You stepped on my shoe. 1563 01:22:55,958 --> 01:22:57,833 [gasps, groans] 1564 01:22:58,916 --> 01:23:00,083 [Toledo whimpers] 1565 01:23:01,750 --> 01:23:04,500 He… He stepped on my shoe. He did. 1566 01:23:05,958 --> 01:23:08,833 Honest. Cutler, he stepped on my shoe. 1567 01:23:08,916 --> 01:23:11,375 What he do that for? Toledo, what you do that for? 1568 01:23:11,458 --> 01:23:14,000 [gasping, groans] 1569 01:23:14,083 --> 01:23:14,958 Cutler, help. 1570 01:23:16,166 --> 01:23:17,625 He stepped on my shoe. 1571 01:23:17,708 --> 01:23:18,541 Cutler! 1572 01:23:19,083 --> 01:23:20,750 [Levee breathing heavily] 1573 01:23:20,833 --> 01:23:22,625 It's okay, Toledo. I'll help you. 1574 01:23:23,208 --> 01:23:24,125 Come on, Toledo. 1575 01:23:24,833 --> 01:23:27,333 [Levee grunting] 1576 01:23:27,916 --> 01:23:29,541 [panting] 1577 01:23:35,000 --> 01:23:35,916 Oh, no. 1578 01:23:43,250 --> 01:23:44,833 [Levee breathing heavily] 1579 01:23:47,625 --> 01:23:48,833 Don't… 1580 01:23:51,666 --> 01:23:53,625 [breathing shakily] 1581 01:23:53,708 --> 01:23:55,708 Don't look at me like that. 1582 01:23:58,666 --> 01:24:00,250 Don't look at me like that. 1583 01:24:03,875 --> 01:24:05,416 [somber music playing] 1584 01:24:09,791 --> 01:24:11,333 [breathing heavily] 1585 01:25:22,625 --> 01:25:24,500 [upbeat music playing] 1586 01:25:29,416 --> 01:25:32,583 ♪ You can swing it, you can bring it ♪ 1587 01:25:32,666 --> 01:25:35,791 ♪ You can dance at any hall ♪ 1588 01:25:35,875 --> 01:25:39,208 ♪ You can slide across the floor ♪ 1589 01:25:39,291 --> 01:25:42,291 ♪ You'll never have to stall Oh, my jelly roll ♪ 1590 01:25:42,375 --> 01:25:43,833 ♪ My jelly roll ♪ 1591 01:25:43,916 --> 01:25:45,375 ♪ Oh, my jelly roll ♪ 1592 01:25:45,458 --> 01:25:47,041 ♪ My jelly roll ♪ 1593 01:25:47,125 --> 01:25:49,583 ♪ Oh, my jelly roll ♪ 1594 01:25:49,666 --> 01:25:52,333 ♪ Please, baby, let me have it all ♪ 1595 01:26:21,791 --> 01:26:24,000 [blues music playing] 1596 01:26:26,583 --> 01:26:28,583 [vocalizing] 1597 01:26:53,000 --> 01:26:56,375 {\an8}♪ My bell rang this morning ♪ 1598 01:26:56,458 --> 01:27:00,750 {\an8}♪ Didn't know which way to go ♪ 1599 01:27:04,250 --> 01:27:08,291 {\an8}♪ My bell rang this morning ♪ 1600 01:27:08,375 --> 01:27:12,291 {\an8}♪ Didn't know which way to go ♪ 1601 01:27:15,541 --> 01:27:19,166 {\an8}♪ I had the blues so bad ♪ 1602 01:27:19,250 --> 01:27:23,875 {\an8}♪ I sit right down on my floor ♪ 1603 01:27:27,416 --> 01:27:30,916 {\an8}♪ I felt like going on the mountain ♪ 1604 01:27:31,000 --> 01:27:35,166 {\an8}♪ Jumping over in the sea ♪ 1605 01:27:38,500 --> 01:27:42,041 {\an8}♪ I felt like going in the mountain ♪ 1606 01:27:42,125 --> 01:27:46,250 {\an8}♪ Jumping over in the sea ♪ 1607 01:27:49,208 --> 01:27:52,708 {\an8}♪ When my daddy stay out late ♪ 1608 01:27:52,791 --> 01:27:57,041 {\an8}♪ He don't care a thing for me ♪