Because today is Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead), I’m sharing a record with an appropriate theme: the amazing “Blue Spirit Blues” by Bessie Smith with piano accompaniment by James P. Johnson.
A real slow burn, Bessie paints a scene worthy of Dante’s Inferno:
“Had a dream last night that I was dead
Evil spirits all around my bed
The devil came and grabbed my hand
Took me way down to that red hot land
Mean blue spirits stuck their forks in me
Made me moan and groan in misery
Fairies and dragons spitting out blue flame
Showin’ their teeth – for they was glad I came
Demons with their eyelash dripping blood
Draggin’ sinners through that brimstone flood
This is hell I cried, cried with all my might
Oh my soul, I can’t bear the sight
Start runnin’ ’cause it is my cup
Run so fast ’til someone woke me up.”
These later electrical recordings of Bessie Smith really sound fantastic! Her commanding voice just projects right out of the speaker through the years and confronts you with its real presence!
Recorded in New York City on October 11, 1929.
Released as Columbia 14527-D.
Credits:
Bessie Smith – vocals
James P. Johnson – piano
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