“Hard Drivin’ Papa” – Bessie Smith (1926)

One of the cleanest Bessie Smith records in my collection – demonstrating how amazing 78 rpm records can sound when they are great shape.

Ms. Smith is accompanied by top-talent musicians from the NYC jazz scene who lend a mournful elegance to her powerful vocal performance. Mahalia Jackson once described the impact of Bessie’s voice: “Her music haunted you even when she stopped singing.”

Henderson and Smith recorded this session with Ms. Smith in between their Dixie Stompers session of April 14 (Dynamite, Jack-ass Blues, and Static Strut) and the Henderson orchestra session for Columbia of May 14 (The Stampede, Jackass Blues).

Recorded in New York City on May 4, 1926.
Released as Columbia 14137-D

Credits:
Bessie Smith – vocals
Joe Smith – cornet
Fletcher Henderson – piano