One of the most famous versions of the W.C. Handy classic “St. Louis Blues” was performed by blues Empress Bessie Smith accompanied by a young Louis Armstrong on cornet and Fred Longshaw on reed organ.
The performances are extraordinary – and it is no wonder that this recording was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1993.
This surely must have been a big seller, as this copy is marked 1-G-39. I believe that the “G” means that it is a West Coast pressing and 39 meaning that this stamper has been through a lot! It looks like all subsequent reissues are dubs. My guess is that they wore the master out repressing it so many times!
Recorded in New York City on January 14, 1925.
Released as Columbia 14064-D.
Credits:
Bessie Smith – vocals
Louis Armstrong – cornet
Fred Longshaw – reed organ
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