Tag: Bessie Smith

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

A deep depression recording of blues phenomenon Bessie Smith and a talented group of “growlers” accompanying her performance. Louis Metcalf seems to be confirmed on trumpet – and the rest question marks. Metcalf remembered Charlie Irvis on trombone – but the Chicago Defender on July 18, 1931, it was noted that “William W. Christian, trombonist has just finished recording with Bessie Smith.”

As this session was her only recording date of the summer, released during a very tough time for the record industry, it is nearly impossible to find on the original Columbia Viva Tonal pressing. Luckily, we have this master-pressed Parlophone to enjoy.

Recorded in New York City on June 11, 1931.
Released in the U.K. as Parlophone R2329 (master pressing).
Originally released in the U.S. as Columbia 14611-D.

Credits:
Bessie Smith – vocals
Louis Metcalf – trumpet
William W. Christian (?) or Charlie Irvis (?) – trombone
Clarence Williams (?) – piano
Unknown Artist – drums

Source:
Clarence Williams, by Tom Lord, Storyville Publications, 1974.

Bessie gives men everywhere the hard truth:
“When your good woman is gone
You will see a hard time.
Don’t say a word – just listen!”

The right honorable Fletcher Henderson accompanies on the piano.

Recorded in New York City on October 25, 1926.
Released as Columbia 14179-D.

Credits:
Bessie Smith – vocals
Fletcher Henderson – piano

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

These electrically-recorded Viva-tonal Columbias from the late 20s and early 30s are some of Bessie’s best.

On this pristine copy we can hear her bluesy accompanists quite well – which include the great Charlie Green on trombone.

“It Won’t Be You” is a self-penned original breakup song whose sentiments are as old as time. Smith begins a little broken-hearted and jilted – but quickly gets to the knife-twisting chorus, in which she assures her ex that her next beau, “No matter how cruel he may be” will give her the consolation and satisfaction that “It won’t be you.”

A great kiss-off by the Empress of the Blues herself.

Reminds me of a recent Courtney Barnett tune in which she sang “I may not be 100% happy but at least I’m not with you.”

Recorded in New York City on February 21, 1928.
Released as Columbia 14338-D.

Credits:
Bessie Smith – vocals
Demas Dean – trumpet
Charlie Green – trombone
Fred Longshaw – piano

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