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Bessie Smith

The legendary Empress of the Blues, Bessie Smith dominated blues singing in the 1920s, and her huge voice-passionate yet subtle-influenced vocal stars from jazz to rock, Billie Holiday to Janis Joplin. Geoffrey Smith picks his favourite tracks from her immortal legacy.

1 hour

Last on

Sun 10 Feb 2013 00:00
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3

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Music Played

  • Bessie Smith

    Oh Daddy Blues

    Composer: Herbert, Russell Performers: Bessie Smith, v; Clarence Williams, p. April 1923

    • Bessie Smith Sings the Jazz.
    • Jazz Archives.
    • 157902, Tr. 12.

  • Bessie Smith

    Keeps on A-Rainin'

    Composer: Williams, Kortlander Performers: Bessie Smith, v; Clarence Williams, p. April 1923

    • Empty Bed Blues.
    • ASV.
    • AJA5213, Tr. 2.

  • Billie Holiday

    Keeps on A-Rainin'

    Composer: Williams, Kortlander Performers: Billie Holiday, v; Bernie Privin, Tony Faso, Dick Vance, t; Henderson Chambers, Mort Bullmans, tb; Eddie Barefield, cl, bs; George Dorsey, Johnny Mince, as; Budd Johnson, Freddie Williams, ts; Horace Henderson, p; Everett Barksdale, g; George Duvivier, b; Cozy Cole, d; Sy Oliver, arr. August 1949

    • The Complete Original American Decca Recordings.
    • GRP Records.
    • GRP GRP26012 (2); D2, Tr.12.

  • Bessie Smith

    St. Louis Blues

    Composer: Handy Performers: Bessie Smith, v; Louis Armstrong, c; Fred Longshaw, pipe organ. January 1925

    • The Essential Bessie Smith.
    • Columbia/Legacy.
    • 487398 2. D1, Tr, 10.

  • Bessie Smith

    Cake Walkin' Babies from Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

    Composer: Smith, Troy, William Performers: Bessie Smith, v; Charlie Big Green, tb; Buster Bailey, cl; Coleman Hawkins, ts; Joe Smith, c; Fletcher Henderson, p; Charlie Dixon, bj; Bob Escuerdo, tu. May1925

    • The Essential Bessie Smith.
    • Columbia/Legacy.
    • 487398 2. D1, Tr. 12.

  • Bessie Smith

    Baby Doll

    Composer: Smith Performers: Bessie Smith, v; Joe Smith, c; Fletcher Henderson, p. May 1926

    • The Great Vocalists: Bessie Smith.
    • Topaz.
    • TPZ 1033. Tr. 1.

  • Bessie Smith

    Young Woman's Blues

    Composer: Smith Performers: Bessie Smith, v; Joe Smith, c; Buster Bailey, cl; Fletcher Henderson, p. 1926

    • Sweet Mistreater.
    • Blue Orchid.
    • BLUE202CD. D2, Tr.1.

  • Bessie Smith

    Yellow Dog Blues

    Composer: Handy Performers: Bessie Smith, v; Joe Smith, c; Charlie Green, tb; Buster Bailey, cl; Coleman Hawkins, ts; Fletcher Henderson, p; Charlie Dixon, bj; Bob Escudero, tu. 1925

    • Sweet Mistreater.
    • Blue Orchid.
    • BLUE202CD. D1, Tr.16.

  • Dinah Washington

    Send Me to the 'Lectric Chair

    Composer: Henderson Performers: Dinah Washington, v; Clark Terry, Fortunatus Ricard, t; Eddie Chamblee, ts; McKinley Easton, bs; Quentin Jackson, tb; James Craig, p; Robare Edmonson, b; James Slaughter, d. December 1957

    • The Bessie Smith Songbook.
    • Emarcy.
    • 8266632 (1); Tr.2.

  • Chris Barber

    Tell me Where is Fancy Bred

    Composer: Shakespeare, arr Patterson Performers: Ottilie Patterson, v; Chris Barber, tb; Pat Halcox, Ken Colyer, t; Ian Wheeler, Archie Semple, cl; Johnny Parker, p; Eddie Smith, bj; Dick Smith, b; Graham Burbridge, d. 1964

    • The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Jazz Club.
    • Upbeat Jazz.
    • URCD125. Tr.18.

  • Bessie Smith

    Black Mountain Blues

    Composer: Cole Performers: Bessie Smith, v; Ed Allen, c; Steve Stevens, p. July 1930

    • The Essential Bessie Smith.
    • Columbia/Legacy.
    • 487398 2. D2, Tr.12.

  • Bessie Smith

    Back Water Blues

    Composer: Smith Performers: Bessie Smith, v; James P. Johnson, p. February 1927

    • The Essential Bessie Smith.
    • Columbia/Legacy.
    • 487398 2. D1, Tr. 17.

  • Bessie Smith

    Kitchen Man

    Composer: Razaf, Bellenda Performers: Bessie Smith, v; Eddie Lang, g; Clarence Williams, p. May 1929

    • The Essential Bessie Smith.
    • Columbia/Legacy.
    • 487398 2. D2, Tr.8.

  • Bessie Smith

    Trombone Cholly

    Composer: Brooks, Johnson Performers: Bessie Smith, v; Joe Smith, c; Charlie Big Green, tb; Fletcher Henderson, p. March 1927

    • The Essential Bessie Smith.
    • Columbia/Legacy.
    • 487398 2. D2, Tr.3.

  • Bessie Smith

    Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out

    Composer: Cox Performers: Bessie Smith, v; Ed Allen, c; Garvin Bushell, as; Greely Walton, ts; Clarence Williams, p; Cyrus St. Clair, tu. May 1929

    • The Essential Bessie Smith.
    • Columbia / Legacy.
    • 487398 2. D2, Tr.9.

  • Bessie Smith

    Gimme a Pigfoot and a Bottle of Beer

    Composer: Wilson Performers: Bessie Smith, v; Frankie Newton, t; Jack Teagarden, tb; Benny Goodman, cl; Chu Berry, ts; Buck Washington, p, ldr; Bobby Johnson, g; Billy Taylor, b. November 1933

    • The Essential Bessie Smith.
    • Columbia/Legacy.
    • 487398 2. D2, Tr.16.

Broadcast

  • Sun 10 Feb 2013 00:00
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3

Podcast

  • Geoffrey Smith's Jazz

    Geoffrey Smith's Jazz - a weekly sequence exploring what makes great jazz great music