1925-1933

by Bessie Smith

Overview

The self-styled "Empress of the Blues"(not that anyone would disagree), Bessie Smith was the music's first truly great female performer. On a series of chronological CDs released by the European reissue label Nimbus, nearly the complete oeuvre of this iconoclastic singer is made available, and a treasure trove it is. An enormous influence on nearly every blues and jazz singer to follow, Smith possessed inimitable phrasing that reshaped even familiar songs into startling new forms. Not to be overlooked are the enormously talented backing musicians featured here, including a young Louis Armstrong. This 20-track compilation includes such Smith classics as "Gimme a Pigfoot and a Bottle of Beer," "I Want Ev'ry Bit of It," and the lesser-known but nonetheless remarkable "Nashville Woman's Blues." The sound throughout is remarkable, especially in light of the age and relative unpolished quality of the recordings.

Product Details

Release Date:	07/08/2003
Label:	NIMBUS RECORDS
UPC:	0710357600326

Tracks

1. The Yellow Dog Blues
2. Nashville Woman's Blues
3. Careless Love
4. I Ain't Gonna Play No Second Fiddle
5. I Want Every Bit of It
6. Money Blues
7. One and Two Blues
8. Muddy Water
9. Lock and Key
10. A Good Man Is Hard to Find
11. Dyin' by the Hour
12. Foolish Man Blues
13. I Used to Be Your Sweet Mama
14. Standin' in the Rain Blues
15. I'm Wild About That Thing
16. Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out
17. Blue Spirit Blues
18. Do Your Duty
19. Gimme a Pigfoot (And a Bottle of Beer)
20. I'm Down in the Dumps

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Bessie Smith   Primary Artist,Vocals
Fletcher Henderson   Primary Artist,Piano
Fletcher Henderson's Hot Six   Primary Artist
Clarence Williams   Primary Artist,Piano
Bob Johnson   Guitar
Chu Berry   Sax (Tenor)
Jack Teagarden   Trombone
Eddie Lang   Guitar
James P. Johnson   Piano
Garvin Bushell   Sax (Alto)
Fred Longshaw   Piano
Benny Goodman   Clarinet
Frankie Newton   Trumpet
Charlie Dixon   Banjo
Joe "Fox" Smith   Cornet
Charlie Green   Trombone
Louis Armstrong   Cornet
Jimmy Harrison   Trombone
Buster Bailey   Clarinet
Tommy Ladnier   Trumpet
Buck Washington   Piano
Bobby Johnson   Guitar
Greely Walton   Sax (Tenor)
June Cole   Bass,Brass Band
Demas Dean   Trumpet
Coleman Hawkins   Sax (Tenor)
Cyrus St. Clair   Bass,Brass Band
Ed Allen   Cornet
Porter Grainger   Piano
Billy Taylor, Sr.   Bass
Lincoln Conaway   Guitar

Technical Credits

Spencer Williams   Composer
Bessie Smith   Composer
Coot Grant   Composer
Jo Trent   Composer
James P. Johnson   Composer
Eddie Green   Composer
Fletcher Henderson   Composer
Fred Longshaw   Composer
W.C. Handy   Composer
M. G. Coleman   Composer
Perry Bradford   Composer
George Brooks   Composer
Harry Eller   Composer
Harry Richman   Composer
Henry Creamer   Composer
Lana Wilson   Composer
James Cox   Composer
G.C. Coleman   Composer
Fletcher Henderson's Hot Six   Group
Norman Field   Liner Notes
Clarence Williams   Composer
Clint Black   Composer
Wesley Wilson   Composer
Peter DeRose   Composer
Jimmie Cox   Composer
Hayden Nicholas   Composer
Martha E. Koenig   Composer
Dave Leader   Composer
Morris Hunting   Transfers