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Ma Rainey's Black Bottom "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" is a powerful and thought-provoking film that explores themes of race,

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

"Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" is a powerful and thought-provoking film that explores themes of race, music, and the struggles faced by African American artists in the music industry. Released in 2020, the movie is based on the play of the same name written by August Wilson, a renowned playwright known for his exploration of African American experiences throughout his work.

Ma Rainey, often referred to as the "Mother of the Blues," is the central character in the film. She is played by the remarkable Viola Davis, who brings tremendous depth and authenticity to the role. Ma Rainey is a talented and influential blues singer in 1920s Chicago, known for her unique style and powerful voice. However, as a Black woman, she faces systemic racism and exploitation within the music industry.

The band members backing Ma Rainey are essential to the story and add to the richness of the film. The legendary actor Chadwick Boseman gives his final performance as Levee, an ambitious and talented trumpeter in the band. Boseman's portrayal of Levee is raw, intense, and emotionally captivating, showcasing his incredible talent and versatility as an actor. His tragic and untimely death in 2020 adds an additional layer of poignancy to his portrayal of this complex character.

Other notable cast members include Glynn Turman as Toledo, Colman Domingo as Cutler, and Michael Potts as Slow Drag. Each band member brings their own unique perspective and experiences, adding to the depth and complexity of the narrative. The chemistry and dynamics among the band members are palpable, fueled by tensions and conflicts that arise throughout the story.

"Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" delves into the larger social and cultural issues of the time while also exploring personal stories of the characters. It sheds light on the exploitation and marginalization faced by Black artists within the music industry and the broader society. The film highlights how even successful Black artists like Ma Rainey are often subjected to unfair treatment, forced to navigate a world that refuses to acknowledge their talent and value.

The story also emphasizes the significance of music as a means of expression and resistance. Ma Rainey's blues music becomes a powerful and cathartic outlet, offering a glimpse into the Black experience and voicing the collective struggle of the community. The film beautifully captures the raw energy and emotions of the music, transporting the audience to the vibrant and captivating world of 1920s Chicago.

If you are captivated by the sounds and themes of "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom," you can play and download these incredible blues tunes. Whether you want to immerse yourself in the heart-wrenching vocals of Ma Rainey or feel the electrifying passion of the band members, the music from the film is a treasure to be cherished.

In conclusion, "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" is a must-watch film that delves into the complexities of race, music, and the African American experience. With a stellar cast and a compelling narrative, the movie brings to life the struggles and triumphs of Ma Rainey and her band. It is a powerful reminder of the barriers faced by Black artists in the past and serves as a call for justice and equality in the present. Experience the magic of "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" and immerse yourself in the captivating sounds of the blues. Play and download these iconic tunes to appreciate the immense talent and resilience of these remarkable artists.

A fool cause it to happen. Like Levee.
A fool is responsible for what happen to him.
A man gotta have some shoes to dance like this.
A man what's gonna get his own band need to have a woman like you.
A ****a gonna be dissatisfied no matter what.
A woman like me need a man to bring it and put it in my hand.
About a half size bigger.
About making a better world for the colored man.
About them songs I give you?
About what the boys in the band says.
Ah…
Ah…
Ain't but four songs on the list.
Ain't but one train come out of Tallahassee headed north to Atlanta.
Ain't had but a ding.
Ain't nobody but the devil.
Ain't nobody done nothing to you.
Ain't nobody studying about you and your shoe.
Ain't nobody studying you.
Ain't nobody thinking about what kind of life,
Ain't none of my business you spooked up by the white man.
Ain't nothing but old jug band music.
Ain't nothing gonna work out for you.
Ain't nothing wrong with having nice shoes.
All right, "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom," Levee's version.
All right, all right. Levee, you right. I apologize.
All right, boys,
All right, boys,
All right, boys,
All right, boys, you done s… s…
All right, boys, you… you… d… done…
All right, Cutler. Let me see you fix that.
All right, I ain't nobody. Don't pay me no mind.
All right, I'm gonna give your God a chance.
All right, Ma.
All right, Ma. Officer, can I speak to you for a minute?
All right, ****a.
All right, ****a. You fired.
All right.
All right. Don't worry about messing up.
All right. Let's try again.
All right. Now I'm gonna tell you something.
All right. Play it for him, Cutler.
All right. You gonna be sorry.
All the while, he's planning how he's gonna get him
All they want is my voice.
Always agitating somebody with that old philosophy bullshit.
And 25 for you.
And acted like he done accepted the facts of what happened.
And asked them if they wanted to sell theirs, too,
And commenced to dancing.
And give him a bottle of whiskey.
And give it to Sylvester.
And had him dancing till they got tired of watching him.
And have another session, so you can make some more money.
And have to do with my mama any way they want.
And he say he gonna let me record them when I get my band together.
And he tell them straight out he done sold his soul to the devil
And he was on his way to see his sister
And he's trying to figure out what he gonna do,
And here she come talking this.
And here you is one yourself.
And I don't mind telling him.
And I knew where he kept it. I went and got it.
And I want you to find somebody to replace Levee when we get to Memphis.
And Irvin, he right there with the rest of them.
And laughed about it.
And leave me standing in my door.
And my daddy went into Natchez to get him some seed and fertilizer.
And over there, you had your meat and nuts,
And record them songs Mr. Sturdyvant done told me I can make,
And she fixed me up.
And sold him our land.
And some peas over here.
And that ain't none of your business.
And that horn player, the one who gave me those songs,
And that taught me how to handle them.
And that's all there is to it. He don't stutter all the time.
And the little Bible that he keep with him all the time.
And then ended up in this little town called Sigsbee.
And then he took off one day. I ain't never seen him since.
And then they wanna balk about how much this session is costing them.
And then we announced we was moving out that county.
And then you got one thing.
And they drove me up to Doc Albans.
And they gonna keep having a good time after you gone.
And they gonna treat me the way I want to be treated
And they said, "Yeah, ******?"
And throw his money away on.
And whacked me across the chest with it.
And what he's gonna do to him.
And what I call a fool are two different things.
And wondering why I ain't like that.
And you ain't had nothing to say except, "Yessir!"
And you gotta transfer at Moultrie to get it.
And you know I want to play Levee's music right.
And you know what's in New York? Harlem. Harlem's in New York.
And you mix it up, cook it real good to where the flavors flow through.
And you tell Sturdyvant,
And your potatoes over here.
And… that stew is still there.
Any man who takes a whole week's pay and puts it on some shoes,
Any more mistakes and I can make my records someplace else.
As long as it ain't no check. I ain't got no use for a check.
As soon as they get my voice down on one them recording machines,
Aw. It just makes me sick.
B… Boy, ain't nobody studying you. Cutler, go on and fix that.
Baby, come over here and sit down. Come on.
Band work for me.
Before I take you down to Memphis.
Bessie what?
Best thing that ever happened to me.
Better for him here in America.
Better have my car fixed right.
Better not let Ma see you ask her. That's what the man's trying to tell you.
Black b… bottom.
Bound to her for the rest of my life.
But don't go telling me that door wasn't there.
But first he's got to know that he's a leftover.
But he said the best he can do is take $25 of your money
But he's paid, right?
But I ain't never been the same fool twice.
But I figured whatever it was, they might as well do to me too.
But I just want to know which version. We got two versions of that song.
But I'll take 'em off your hands for you.
But if I could play them, I'd set them down in the people's lap.
But if they wanna call me the Mother of Blues,
But it don't last long.
But she went out and joined the church.
But they can't do nothing else 'cause they ain't got what they wanted yet.
But we'll be ready to go in 15 minutes.
But you been a fool. That's what counts.
But you can rule over life. Life ain't nothing.
But you look around and you see some carrots over there,
Buy her presents and things. Treat her like she want to be treated.
Called me, say, "Levee, you the man of the house now."
Calling me everything but a child of God.
Can I go? I want to see the band.
Can I introduce my red rooster to your brown hen.
Can or can't, he gonna do it.
Can't say, Mr. Irvin. She'll be along directly, I reckon.
Can't tell a fool nothing.
Carried him a bag. One of them carpet bags.
Carried me two miles down to the Furlow place
Carry my nephew on down there.
Carry my nephew on down there. Introduce him to the band.
Caught up with him, hung him…
Chrissakes, Mel! Ma!
Christ sakes, get your Coke.
Clear it out. Come on. Let's go.
Come here a minute. I need to talk to you.
Come on and save him like you did my mama.
Come on and save this ****a.
Come on and save this ****a.
Come on and sign these forms, huh?
Come on and turn your back on me!
Come on and turn your back on me.
Come on and turn your back on me.
Come on in. I'll get you fed and ready to make some music.
Come on, baby. Come on. Come.
Come on, Levee. Let's get ready to play. Keep your mind on your work.
Come on, Ma. I took care of everything, didn't I?
Come on, Sylvester. Where's Sylvester's mic?
Come on, Toledo.
Come on, what you scared of?
Come on.
Come on. I'll carry you down there myself.
Come on. Let's go. Move it out.
Come on. Sign the forms, huh?
Come on. What's the matter? Where is you?
Come on. Where is you?
Come over here and let me see that dress.
Come talk about sorry.
Come talking that shit to me. Talking about burning in hell.
Come tell me I'm spooked up by the white man.
Coming outta Tallahassee in Sigsbee.
Couldn't get no worse. What the hell I care about bad luck?
Couldn't live like that.
Coward motherfucker!
Cross around his neck,
Cut him loose
Cutler gonna show you how your part go.
Cutler gonna teach you how to do your part. Go ahead and get it straight.
Cutler, get him straightened out on how to do his part.
Cutler, help.
Cutler, here's the list of songs we're going to record.
Cutler, this here my nephew Sylvester.
Cutler, your boys' sandwiches are here.
Cutler!
Cutler.
Cutler's God! I'm calling Cutler's God!
Cutler's God?
Damn the cost. You always talking about the cost.
Damn the door and let's do this. I want to get out of here.
Damn what the band say. You supposed to have my Coca Cola. You knew that.
Damn! They done changed things around.
Death will kick your ass and make you wish you never been born.
Devil came by and he upped and sold him his soul.
Did you turn your back, motherfucker?
Did you turn your back?
Did you turn your back?
Different tribes and things.
Don't cost but a nickel a bottle.
Don't get Toledo mixed up in nothing.
Don't look at me like that.
Don't make no difference to me if she leave.
Don't make no difference to me, long as we get paid.
Don't never leave well enough alone.
Don't nobody say when it comes to Ma. She gonna do what she wanna do.
Don't worry about what nobody else say.
Don't y'all start nothing now.
Don't…
Door wasn't there before.
Dussie Mae! Sit your ass down and stop flaunting yourself around.
Eh, Slow Drag's right. I wouldn't worry about it.
Eh, we got, uh…
Eight years old.
Eleven dollars. Four dollars of it belong to Cutler.
Else she wouldn't have been up there at the church.
Ever since I was a little girl. I don't care what nobody else do.
Everybody can't have their own band.
Everybody can't play like I do.
Everybody come from different places in Africa, right?
Everybody got it.
Everybody know. It wasn't no secret.
Everything's under control, Mel. I got everything under control.
Excuse me there, Levee.
Fifteen minutes.
Fifteen minutes.
Fifteen minutes. We'll be ready to go.
Fifteen minutes. You hear me, Irvin? Fifteen minutes.
Figured he'd check the schedule
Find somebody else. He the ringtail leader.
Fine, Mr. Irvin.
Flopping on the ground like a rag doll.
Folks ask what done happened to make him change,
Folks called him a uppity ****** 'cause he done saved and borrowed
Folks say he carried the devil's papers and whatnot
From Mr. Hallie's widow woman after he done passed on.
From your story, I don't think life treated you fair.
Gentlemen, the band room.
Get a microphone down here for him.
Get me three bottles of Coca Cola, ice cold. Get y'all something too.
Get out my face. Irvin, I told you keep him away from me.
Go back to my tour. I don't need to go through all this.
Go get the boy a microphone.
Go on and fix that one.
Go on, get my slippers out my bag over yonder.
Go on, tell it your way.
God ain't never listened to no ****a's prayers.
God can kiss my ass.
God don't pay ****as no mind. In fact, God hate ****as.
God take the ****a's prayers and throw them in the garbage.
Gonna be a bit more things before I'm finished with it.
Gonna tell me I'm too lazy to rehearse.
Good God.
Good session, Ma. We've got ourselves some winners!
Good times is what makes life worth living.
Good, you boys are rehearsing, I see.
Good. I'll see about your songs as soon as I get the chance.
Good. Say, Levee, did you finish that song?
Got fixed on him wrong and Eliza killed him.
Got to be more to life than just having a good time.
Got to do his share, got to do his part.
Grow anything you want.
Had him a string of women he run around with
Had him near 50 acres of good farming land. I'm talking good land.
Handing out $100 bills on the spot
Happy birthday to the lady with the cakes.
Harlem, Detroit, DC.
Hate them with all the fury in his heart.
He a man of God,
He ain't from 'round here now.
He ain't nothing but a sharecropper.
He ain't nothing but bad news.
He bumped into me and fell down.
He can have my whole handprint if he want to.
He can't dance like this with them clodhoppers Toledo got.
He don't care nothing about me either.
He don't know what's getting into these fellas' minds,
He don't know where he walking. He walking down the railroad tracks
He don't need nobody messing with him about the white man!
He done gone off of shares and bought this land
He found out who they was,
He gonna do the part. I don't wanna hear any more of this shit
He gonna put out what she want him to put out.
He got four of them before they got him.
He got one eye on the gal and the other on his trumpet.
He got the names of them mans from Mama.
He got us settled in,
He keep messing around with Ma's gal, his feet be out there scraping the ground.
He keep walking.
He looked at them
He need to make money to keep him in shoe polish.
He plays good music when he puts his mind to it.
He reached back, grabbed hold of that knife,
He say he gonna let me record 'em.
He sees where the sun's getting low in the sky,
He sneaked back.
He sound like one of them Alabama ****as.
He stepped on my shoe.
He steps in front of her to tell his version of things,
He stutters right through it every time.
He stutters, Ma. They say he stutters.
He was waiting on a calf to be born, and he say he ain't had time to see me.
He went around working for the devil and everybody knowed it.
He woulda named me Gabriel.
He wouldn't have to convince me long.
He… He stepped on my shoe. He did.
He'll do the voice intro on "Black Bottom" using the old version.
He'll never make another record of mine again. Tell him that.
He's been my manager for six years, and the only time he had me over his house
He's only getting one chance. The cost of this...
He's spooked up by the white man. Ain't had time to study 'em.
He's standing there,
He's supposed to be here at 1:00.
He's supposed to get paid like everybody else.
He's supposed to have his own money.
Heh. You should've heard Levee at the club last night, Toledo.
Hell, even Sylvester will be a star.
Hell, I'd even help him sign people up.
Hell, it ain't my fault. I ain't done nothing.
Hell, she can't even get a cab up here in the North.
Here I am. Let him strike me. I ain't scared of him.
Here, Ma.
Hey, come on in, boy. I'm Cutler.
Hey, hey, hey. Good morning, Chicago.
Hey, hey, hey. Y'all gotta keep up now. You playing in the wrong time.
Hey, I know how to have a good time as well as the next man.
Hey, Ma.
Hey, Slow Drag.
Hey, Toledo. Ain't I give Mr. Sturdyvant some of my songs I wrote?
Hey, watch it, now.
Hi. I just wanted to see what it look like down here.
Hiding up in the woods,
Hmm.
Hmm.
Hmm. I sure wish I knew where he went.
Hmm. You done made your history and it's still there.
Hold on. What happened to this fella? That's what I want to know.
Honest. Cutler, he stepped on my shoe.
Honey, call down there and see about my car. I need my car fixed today.
How in the hell the boy gonna do the part if he can't even talk?
How many times you done play them songs?
How much you pay for something like that, Levee?
How that first part go again there, Lev?
How the hell he gonna be sorry when he done ruined my shoe?
How you get so crazy?
Huh. I know how they do.
I ain't doing no moonshine nothing. I'm doing "Black Bottom" first.
I ain't doing nothing to the… piano. I'm… l… looking at it.
I ain't doing nothing without my Coca Cola.
I ain't doing nothing.
I ain't done nothing to her. I just talk to her like I talk to anybody else.
I ain't done nothing to the gal. I just asked her her name.
I ain't going for that. Brand new car. They better fix it like new.
I ain't gonna be too many more of your fools.
I ain't gonna mess up nothing. Ma say...
I ain't gonna stand for it. Ain't gonna bring me no check down here.
I ain't got nothing to do with it, but…
I ain't had no trouble cashing mine.
I ain't had nothing but bad luck all my life.
I ain't kicked nothing.
I ain't like you, Cutler. I got talent.
I ain't meant nothing by it.
I ain't never been in a recording studio.
I ain't playing with you. I could walk out of here right now.
I ain't rehearsing nothing.
I ain't started blues way of singing. Blues always been there.
I ain't step on your shoe. Huh? Look at this.
I ain't step on your shoe. What you wanna step on my shoe for?
I ain't studying Levee nothing. I know what he done to that song.
I ain't studying you or Mr. Irvin.
I ain't talking about what I'm gonna do or you gonna do,
I ain't thinking about Bessie.
I ain't thinking about Levee or his shoes.
I ain't thinking about Levee.
I ain't touch the man.
I always got to have some music going on in my head somewhere.
I bet you sound like the midnight train to Alabama
I bought and paid for that car.
I can agree with that. I got to have my music too.
I can carry my black bottom on back down South to my tour,
I can play some good music now.
I can say "yessir" to whoever I please. What you got to do with it?
I can smile and say "yessir" to whoever I please.
I can tell you what happened if you wanna know.
I can't see how it's costing as much as they say.
I could look at Toledo and see what kind of band it is.
I could look at y'all and see what kind of band it is.
I could see where it wasn't gonna do her any good.
I didn't know what they was doing to her,
I didn't know you could write music.
I don't bite.
I don't care if he do.
I don't care what Ma say!
I don't care what you play. Don't matter to me.
I don't care what you say, honey. Levee ain't messing up my song.
I don't care.
I don't know what fellas you had playing them songs,
I don't know why y'all want to pick with me about it.
I don't know.
I don't like to sing it that way. I'm doing it the old way.
I don't need nobody getting something for nothing
I don't need nobody to tell me nothing.
I don't need this shit.
I don't think nobody give a damn. Sylvester, look here.
I don't think that people will buy them.
I don't visit no whore houses.
I don't want $5, Mr. Sturdyvant. I wants to record them songs like you say.
I done been a little bit of everything.
I done experienced it. Make you feel good to be a fool.
I done give Mr. Sturdyvant some of my songs I wrote,
I done give some of my songs to Mr. Sturdyvant.
I done made them more money from my records
I done told y'all you don't know me. You don't know what I'll do.
I done told you it ain't about your music. It's about Ma's music.
I done told you time and again. Ma say what to play, not you.
I eat it every day for breakfast.
I forgot the Coke.
I got eyes, you got eyes. What are you gonna do?
I got it all taken care of.
I got it, Ma. I'll take care of everything.
I got my time coming to me.
I got sense enough to know that.
I got some real good fellas. They know how to play real good music.
I got style.
I got things to do.
I had my fellas play your songs.
I heard her when she call you.
I heard her when she said, "Lord have mercy. Jesus help me."
I heard him. Seen him too. Shuffling them feet.
I heard it singing. I heard you.
I heard of it, and he ain't got off no train
I hit him on the shoulder.
I just gotta finish the last part of this song.
I just need me some new shoes. These hurt my feet.
I just play the piece. Whatever they want. I don't criticize other people's music.
I just said there's got to be more to life than just having a good time.
I just sat down and I figured I was a fool
I just thought you was jiving me at the club last night.
I just wanna show you I knows what the womens like.
I just want some of them yellow ones.
I know a man sold his soul to the devil.
I know he stutters. Don't you think I know?
I know how to handle white folks. I been handling them for 32 years.
I know I ain't hearing that.
I know if the peoples hear the music, they'll buy it.
I know it was his idea who to say who can do what.
I know it's on the four…
I know nothing about music or what a good song is or what ain't.
I know they ain't rehearsing Levee's "Black Bottom."
I know what I'm doing. Let me handle him my way.
I know what I'm talking about. You watch.
I know what you talking about. You don't know what I'm talking about.
I know where the four is, man. Don't got to tell me nothing.
I knows about it. The excitement is something else.
I knows how to play real music, not this old jug band shit.
I lets them know it, though. Ma don't stand for no shit.
I make more money for this outfit than anybody else you got put together.
I married a woman. A good woman.
I married her with all the good intentions and graces of being hooked up,
I might not play nothing. I might just quit.
I never could stand no silence.
I promised my sister I'd look out for him,
I promised the boy he could do the part, so he gonna do it.
I said "we." You understand that?
I said, "Excuse me."
I said, the colored man ought to be doing more
I says what the matter is with the band. I say who can and can't do what.
I seen my daddy go up and grin in this cracker's face.
I straightened everything out.
I studies the white man, I got him studied good.
I talked to her last night. Got everything straight.
I tells you what to do.
I told you the way it is.
I told you when you came on here, this ain't none of them hot bands.
I tried my damnedest to cut one of them's throat.
I try to take that emptiness and fill it up with something.
I turn to hear this guy's side of the story.
I want to get it right the first time and get on out of here.
I want you to get her in here,
I want you to pay the boy his money.
I was calling the paddy wagon
I was eight years old
I was following Toledo.
I was playing the song the way I felt it.
I wasn't but a little boy.
I wouldn't worry about it if I was you. Ma'll get it straightened out.
I wrote a version of that song,
I wrote that other part just like you say. It go like…
I'd go on and get them cords and things hooked up right.
I'll call down to the deli and get you a Coke. But let's get started.
I'll grab Levee.
I'll see what I can do.
I'll see what I can do. I can't promise you nothing.
I'll tell you why. I'll tell you the truth.
I'm doing you a favor.
I'm getting me some good fellas. Know how to play real sweet music.
I'm going to finish this song for Mr. Sturdyvant.
I'm gonna be like Ma and tell the white man just what he can do.
I'm gonna get me a band and make me some records.
I'm gonna give him a chance to save you. I'm calling your God!
I'm gonna give him a chance to save your black ass.
I'm gonna give your God a chance.
I'm gonna have him take you down, introduce you to the band.
I'm gonna have my own band.
I'm gonna ignore you 'cause you're ignorant.
I'm gonna record that song and show you how it's supposed to go.
I'm gonna show you how spooked up I was by the white man.
I'm gonna take you tomorrow to get you some things
I'm holding you responsible. You keep her in line.
I'm just gonna cue you in…
I'm just gonna go whichever way the river drift.
I'm just telling you he got off at Sigsbee.
I'm my own person. Just let me alone.
I'm not putting up with any shenanigans. You hear, Irv? Irv?
I'm ready if you want to rehearse. I said there ain't no point in it.
I'm ready to get on outta here, anyway.
I'm singing Ma Rainey's song, not Levee's song.
I'm talking about being satisfied with a bone somebody done throwed you.
I'm talking about something I can see. I ain't talking about no molecules.
I'm talking about the room, I ain't talking about no skin and air.
I'm talking about this "Black Bottom."
I'm talking about what all of us gonna do together.
I'm talking about what the intro gonna do to the song.
I'm talking to Cutler's God! You hear me?
I'm the devil. I ain't nothing but the devil.
I'm through with it. Try talking to a fool.
I'm tired of her nonsense. I'm not gonna put up with this.
I'm tired of you as it is. I ain't but two seconds off your ass, noway.
I'm trying to sing my song and you messing up my ear.
I'm with Slow Drag. Let's go and get it rehearsed.
I'm with you on that score. Don't want to be here all night.
I'mma tell you something. Reverend Gates.
If he got what the people want, let him take it somewhere else.
If he mess up, he'll do it till he get it right.
If I wanted the boy to have $25 of my money, I'd give it to him.
If I was Mr. Irvin,
If it ain't one thing, it's another. Straighten your black ass out.
If Levee had his mind on what he was doing.
If Levee kept his mind on his work, we wouldn't be in this fix.
If my daddy had a knowed I was gonna turn out like this,
If that don't beat all to hell. I ain't touched the man.
If that don't set right with you and Sturdyvant,
If that's all there is to be got out of it.
If there ain't, then this is a piss poor life we're living
If you can't accept that, then the hell with it.
If you sayin' I can't do that, Ma'll just have to go to hell.
If you talking about they done switched rooms, you right.
If you walk out of this studio, you're through. You're washed up.
If you wanna make a record, find the time.
If you want to be one of them, uh, what you call virtuosos or something,
If you was any kind of musician, I'd let you be in my band.
If you was any kind of musician, you'd take care of your instrument.
If you write any more, I'll help you out and take 'em off your hands.
In fact, he ain't never heard of it before.
In the finest clothes you ever seen on a colored man.
Irv!
Irv?
Irv? Something happened with the recording. Check that mic.
Irvin misunderstood me.
Irvin, get away from me. Shit.
Irvin, get him a mic.
Irvin, give me my keys.
Irvin, what is that I hear?
Irvin, where's my car?
Is he going to be here today?
Is that it? You and Sturdyvant decided?
Is there a problem?
Is there something wrong?
Is you all gonna rehearse the music or ain't you?
Is you gonna be satisfied with a bone somebody done throwed you
It ain't got no balls.
It ain't just me, fool. I said everybody.
It don't mean nothing when I say it. You got to wait for Mr. Irvin to say it.
It don't mean nothing!
It don't stop at Sigsbee.
It go like this.
It keeps things balanced.
It makes them excited, forget about their troubles.
It started getting dark.
It was all a mistake. It was all a mistake.
It was coming on planting time,
It was Cutler.
It was you. You the only one…
It's a whole different bottom, though. It's a whole different style.
It's just a scratch, and they'll have it ready for you this afternoon.
It's just that, I don't think they'd sell like Ma's records.
It's just, "Show me a good time. That's all I want."
It's not that. It's more of what the people want.
It's okay, Toledo. I'll help you.
It's right out front. I got the keys right here.
It's Slow Drag, all right.
It's the cord, Mel.
It's women like you that drive me so…
It's your God, huh? Is that right?
It's, uh, 200 for you and 25 for the kid, right?
Jesus don't love you, ****a. Jesus hate your black ass.
Just 'cause I say "yessir," don't mean I'm spooked up by him.
Just go somewhere and stay out of the way.
Just like clockwork.
Just like that.
Just like you take hold of a mule and make it do what you want.
Just play the piece, ****a.
Just standing there, watching him.
Just to see how you think.
Just wait till I get my band together.
Keep it in tip top order.
Last I heard, he headed up north with that bag of his,
Last time there was six songs.
Laying to get them eight or nine men.
Leave him alone and let him finish.
Let her go to one of them white folks hotel and see how big she is.
Let him go!
Let him strike me. Here I am, standing right here.
Let me get a hit of that.
Let me take your things.
Let me worry about what's on the list.
Let me. Ma, listen.
Let's do it without it, huh? Just this one song. What say, boys?
Let's do this one song.
Let's get ready to rehearse.
Let's rehearse so the boy can get it right.
Levee ain't gonna let nothing happen to him.
Levee ain't gonna quit.
Levee ain't messing up my song.
Levee ain't nothing but trouble.
Levee all right.
Levee confused about who the boss is. He don't know Ma's the boss.
Levee got his eyes in the wrong place. You better school him, Cutler.
Levee got to be Levee!
Levee Green and his Footstompers.
Levee know what time he's supposed to be here?
Levee left the hotel talking about he was gonna buy shoes.
Levee must have kicked the plug out.
Levee started all that 'cause he too lazy to rehearse.
Levee tried talking to her and got his feelings hurt.
Levee, I don't doubt that.
Levee, I don't want no shit. You rehearse like everybody else.
Levee, I know you had something to do with this. Watch yourself.
Levee, what were you doing? Why you playing all them notes?
Levee, you gonna burn in hell.
Levee.
Levee's arrangement gives the people what they want.
Levee's supposed to be here same as we is. I reckon he'll be here in a minute.
Levee's version, it really picks it up.
Life ain't shit.
Like clockwork, Mel.
Like I said, while I was waiting for the paddy wagon,
Like I say, it's $5 apiece. That's what I'll pay ya.
Like I say, they're not the kind of songs we're looking for.
Like you say, for them to forget about their troubles.
Listen, Ma.
Listen, Ma. I talked to Sturdyvant, and he said…
Look at Sylvester with that hat on.
Look at that.
Look at that. That's my shoe.
Look at what you done to my shoe, ****a.
Look here, sugar.
Looking for this woman to put me in my grave,
Ma ain't here. What's the point?
Ma got her Coke, Levee. We about ready to start.
Ma knows something about bad feet. Mmm.
Ma listen to her heart. Ma listen to the voice inside her.
Ma Rainey's gonna show you her b… b… b…
Ma Rainey's gonna show you her black b… b… b…
Ma Rainey's gonna show you her black bottom.
Ma Rainey's gonna show you her… B… B… B…
Ma tell Mr. Irvin she leaving?
Ma was the first. Don't you forget it.
Ma, can we just do it without the…
Ma, come back here! Ma, please!
Ma, I called down to the garage and checked on your car.
Ma, it's what I wanted to talk to you about.
Ma?
Ma?
Ma.
Man give me a check last time. What happened?
Man said he was sorry.
Maybe that's what he done. I don't know.
Me and Cutler play on the breaks.
Me and Sturdyvant. We decided...
Me and this horn, we's tight.
Mel will be out with your money in a minute.
Mmm.
Mmm. "Prove It on Me," "Hear Me Talking to You,"
Mmm. Damn, baby.
More ****as have got killed trying to have a good time
Mother of the Blues, Mel. Mother of the Blues.
Mr. Irvin get down on his knees and beg her to stay.
Mr. Irvin gonna straighten it up. I don't care what you play.
Mr. Irvin gonna straighten it up. I don't care what you play.
Mr. Irvin the one putting out the record.
Mr. Irvin told me you boys prefer cash, and that's what I have for you.
Mr. Irvin.
Mr. Irvin… About these songs…
Mr. Sturdyvant and Mr. Irvin say what's gonna be here.
Mr. Sturdyvant gonna have to wait. It's the band's time.
Mr. Sturdyvant, peoples is tired of hearing jug band music.
Mr. Sturdyvant, sir.
Mr. Sturdyvant, sir. I done already got my band picked out.
Mr. Sturdyvant, you asked me to write them songs.
Music will do that. It fills things up.
Must have been eight or nine of 'em.
My daddy came back
My daddy had a knife he kept around there for hunting and working and whatnot.
My daddy wasn't spooked up by the white man. No, sir.
My daddy went and smiled in the face of one of them crackers
My daddy's name was Memphis. Memphis Lee Green.
My mama wrapped me in a blanket,
My mama…
Name of Eliza Cotter. Lived in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama.
****a got them clodhoppers. Old brogans.
****a got them long fingers striding all over the piano.
****a talking about life is fair and ain't got a pot to piss in.
****a, don't nobody care if you quit. Whose heart you gonna break?
****a, don't you know that's Ma's gal?
****a, God gonna strike you down with that blasphemy you talking.
****a, how you know this man done sold his soul to the devil?
****a, I ain't studying you.
****a, what is you talking about?
****a, you stepped on my shoe, you know that?
****a, you stepped on my shoe.
****as been having a good time before you was born,
****as got a right to be dissatisfied.
No matter how much it hurt 'em.
No, baby. I knows how to write music.
No, no, no. No, no. We ain't doing it that way.
No, they ain't.
No. Come on, Sylvester.
No. The problem's with the kid's mic.
Nobody said nothing about all that.
Nobody talking about making the lot for the colored man
Not putting up with any Royal Highness, Queen of the Blues bullshit.
Not to see that she needed something that I wasn't giving her,
Now death? Death got some style.
Now he look around the station. He don't see no colored folks nowhere.
Now I know why my grandpappy sat on the front porch
Now I tried to talk him out of it,
Now I'm gonna show you the best.
Now I'm gonna show you the rest.
Now that's all there is to it.
Now this ****a talking about trains.
Now we gotta see if that boy can get that part right.
Now you take and you eat that stew.
Now, he don't know where he is in this town.
Now, the only colored restroom they had
Now, you told me I could record them songs.
Officer, what's the matter? What's the problem?