The Essential Bessie Smith

Performer: Bessie Smith
Artist: Louis Armstrong; Chu Berry; Fletcher Henderson; James P. Johnson; Benny Goodman; Coleman Hawkins
Producer: Lawrence Cohn; Lawrence Cohn (Compilation)
Distributor: Sony Music Distribution (

Notes: Personnel: Bessie Smith (vocals); Lincoln M. Conaway, Eddie Lang, Bobby Johnson (guitar); Buddy Christian, Charlie Dixon (banjo); Robert Robbins (violin); Coleman Hawkins (clarinet, tenor saxophone); Ernest Elliot, Buster Bailey, Benny Goodman (clarinet); Garvin Bushell (alto saxophone); Chu Berry, Greely Walton (tenor saxophone); Frank Newton (trumpet); Joe Smith, Louis Armstrong, Tommy Ladnier, Ed Allen, Louis Metcalfe (cornet); Charlie Green, Jimmy Harrison, Joe Williams, Jack Teagarden (trombone); Bob Escudero, June Cole, Cyrus St. Clair (tuba); Fred Longshaw (piano, reed organ); Clarence Williams, Irving Johns, Fletcher Henderson, Jimmy Jones, James P. Johnson, Porter Grainger, Steve Stevens, Buck Washington (piano); Billy Taylor (acoustic bass); Floyd Casey (drums); The Bessemer Singers (background vocals). Includes liner notes by Chris Albertson. Digitally remastered by David Mitson. This is part of Columbia/Legacy's Roots 'N Blues Series. Personnel: Bessie Smith (vocals); The Bessemer Singers (vocals); Bobby Johnson, Jr., Eddie Lang, Lincoln M. Conaway (guitar); Buddy Christian , Charlie Dixon (banjo); Robert Robbins (violin); Coleman Hawkins (clarinet, tenor saxophone); Ernest Elliott, Benny Goodman, Buster Bailey (clarinet); Garvin Bushell (alto saxophone); Chu Berry, Greely Walton (tenor saxophone); Frankie Newton (trumpet); Louisa Metcalfe, Ed Allen, Joe Smith , Joe "Fox" Smith , Louis Armstrong, Tommy Ladnier (cornet); Jack Teagarden, Jimmy Harrison, Charlie Green (trombone); June Cole Orchestra, Cyrus St. Clair, June Cole, Bob Escudero (tuba); Fred Longshaw (piano, reed organ); Clarence Williams, Fletcher Henderson, Irving Johns, James P. Johnson, Jimmy Jones , Steve Stevens, Porter Grainger, Buck Washington (piano); Floyd Casey (drums). Liner Note Author: Chris Albertson. Recording information: New York, NY (04/11/1923-11/24/1933). Photographers: Chris Albertson; Frank Driggs. For comprehensive coverage of the work of this blues legend and innovator, interested listeners should turn to Columbia/Legacy's five volumes of THE COMPLETE RECORDINGS. However, if nine discs seem somewhat overwhelming to the newcomer, there is no better place to begin than this 2-disc Roots n' Blues set. The digital remastering of these classic 1920s sides has resulted in mind-bogglingly clean sound documents, re-casting Smith's achievements in a beautifully bright light. Smith's contributions to the development of blues and jazz vocals cannot be overestimated and, even today, there have been few female vocalists in the history of the genre to match her emotional intensity and sheer vocal power. This spectacular 36-track collection features many of Smith's biggest hits, including "Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out," "Need A Little Sugar In My Bowl," "Alexander's Ragtime Band," and "'Taint Nobody's Bizness If I Do" (two decades before Billie Holiday's version). Smith wrote the book on blues/jazz vocals, outshining not only the singers from her era but most since. This set is crucial for even the most casual blues and jazz fans.

Vibe (12/99, p.158) - Included in Vibe's 100 Essential Albums of the 20th Century

The original tough-mama prototype for nearly every female blues singer to come, hard-living, big-voiced Bessie Smith was also the first blues singer with a mega-hit recording career, achieved in part via collaborations with some of the most notable musicians of her era. In her prime in the 1920s and 1930s, she was the highest-paid black entertainer in the U.S., and her influence persists to this day.

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