Mississippi Matilda (Hattiesburg, MS, January 27, 1914) was a blues singer. Eugene Powell, also known as Sonny Boy Nelson was living with Matilda Witherspoon, and had struck up a musical partnership with guitarist Willie ‘Brother’ Harris in about 1930. At the session, Powell played his customised Silvertone guitar, which he’d fitted with a metal resonator and an additional C string, tuned an octave higher. He began by playing on two titles by Lonnie and Sam Chatmon, then he and Harris accompanied Eugene’s girlfriend Matilda on four songs which constitute her entire discography. “Mississippi Matilda”, as Bluebird dubbed is a fascinating singer, especially on her masterpiece, Hard Working Woman, with its deliberately breathless falsettos suddenly descending into her natural register at the end of the verses. Powell plays lilting guitar figures behind her, and Harris supplies a somewhat distantly recorded, but attractively dissonant, chordal backup. If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, - ”LIKE” ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorite band!
Matilda Powell (maiden name unknown), was believed to have been from around the Utica or Hollandale, MS. area. In the 1930's she married musician Eugene Powell who later recorded under the name of Sonny Boy Nelson. In 1936, The Powells traveled to New Orleans to record for Bluebird along with members of The Mississippi Shieks, Willie Harris & Robert Hill. Matilda recorded four songs, and one of them were unissued. This gave her one record to her credit, and half of another that Bluebird coupled with Mack & Mack. These were her only recordings. Around 1942, The Powells moved to Greenville where Eugene went to work at the John Deere plant, to support his large family. In 1952, Matilda separated from Eugene, and moved to Chicago taking their one son and five daughters with her. If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, - ”LIKE” ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorite band!
