This 10-inch shellac 78 RPM record represents a fascinating aesthetic chapter in Alice Moore's career. Following the success of her signature 1929 track "Black and Evil Blues," Moore returned to the studio to cut this thematic sequel: "Blue Black And Evil Blues" (Matrix 90183) backed with "Tomorrow Blues" (Matrix 90184). This performance offers a mature, rhythmically driving variation on her classic lyrical theme of psychological dread and romantic isolation.

Format: 10" Shellac Record (78 RPM)
Label & Catalog Number: Decca 7132
Recorded: Late Summer 1935 (Chicago)
Personnel: Alice Moore (Vocals), Peetie Wheatstraw (Piano), Unnamed Acoustic Guitarist

Cut in Chicago during the late summer of 1935, these sides highlight the complex visual and emotional vocabulary of Black urban poetry during the Great Migration. Lyrically, Moore reclaims colorist themes of the era ("Girls, I'm black, I was born black from my doggone birth... But my man he tells me, I'm the sweetest little old black thing on earth"). It stands as a defiant, raw sonic portrait of working-class Black female identity navigating relationships and urban survival in mid-1930s Depression-era America.
Decca Records dominated the mid-1930s "Race Records" market via their 7000 series pricing strategy. Selling records at an accessible 35 cents helped keep Black musicians in the studios during brutal economic times, but the cheap, coarse shellac compound used was easily destroyed. Because these records were bought for immediate social use and thrashed on brutal, heavy-tracking domestic gramophones, finding a 1935 Decca blues 78 that has escaped ninety years without turning gray from groove wear is a rare phenomenon.
The Sequel Session: This release serves as an explicit, direct chronological follow-up to her foundational hit, tracking her thematic evolution as an artist.
The High Sheriff: Pianist Peetie Wheatstraw—frequently billed as "The Devil's Son-in-Law"—provides his highly recognizable, heavy percussive stride accompaniment, anchoring the track in the distinct St. Louis blues style.
The Unnamed Strings: Despite the high clarity of the guitar track, the identity of the session guitarist remains unconfirmed in surviving Decca ledger sheets, adding an ongoing mystery for pre-war musicologists.
Detailed Condition Report
Grade (VJM System): Excellent Minus (E-).
Play Surface: Exceptional, top-tier archive preservation. The mid-1930s Decca shellac retains a beautiful, deep factory gloss and strong luster. Under bright inspection lighting, only a few light superficial paper-sleeve wisps or faint scuffs are visible on either side. Completely free of deep scratches, gray acoustic groove wear, needle digs, or edge chips.
Audio Performance: Both sides play beautifully loud, crisp, and robust. Peetie Wheatstraw’s signature piano trills and the crisp acoustic guitar tracking remain wonderfully distinct. Surface noise is remarkably light, steady, and entirely non-intrusive—an exceptionally clean play.
Center Labels: Early 1930s blue-and-gold Decca 7000 series labels. Typography and graphics remain clean and fully legible. Spindle hole is tight and crisp with zero trailing wear. Free of modern ink writing, layout tearing, or vintage dealer sticker residue.
Comes complete with its original vintage Decca company paper sleeve as shown.

This copy hails directly from the celebrated Michel Chaigne Collection, heavily revered within international blues discographical circles for its rigorous quality standards and historical depth. Discs sourced from this archive are highly regarded by specialists for their exceptional preservation and careful curation, making this rare specimen an important centerpiece for any serious pre-war music archive.
Postage & Packing Information
We specialize in shipping highly fragile prewar shellac. Because commercial UK couriers explicitly exclude 78 RPM records from damage compensation, we assume full responsibility for structural safety via specialized, over-engineered defensive packaging designed to completely isolate the disc from external pressures, handling drops, and transit shocks:
Double-Skin Box: Enclosed within an ultra-rigid, double-walled outer corrugated shipping box.
Thick Card Packaging: Strictly sandwiched and locked securely between multiple oversized layers of thick, heavy cardboard stiffeners to guarantee absolutely zero flexing.
Bubble Wrap: Generously wrapped in layers of shock-absorbing bubble wrap to insulate it from vibration.
Void Fill: The entire internal assembly is locked in place using dense void-fill material to ensure absolutely zero movement within the box during shipping.
Your order will be carefully packed and promptly dispatched.