Empress of the Blues: Bessie Smith
Bessie Smith was called the “Empress of the Blues,” famed for her ability to be both regal and sensual in song and style. She was also her generation's highest-paid African American entertainer from her early days performing on Chattanooga street corners and her travels on the black vaudeville circuit to her decade as a top-selling recording artist touring in her own railroad car. We hear about Bessie Smith from artists who knew her personally as well as an historian and anthropologist who has studied her life and performances. Also, Bessie Smith songs from Alberta Hunter, Dinah Washington, Nina Simone, and Catherine Russell; and a conversation with Annika Chambers, a 21st-century blueswoman.
HOUR ONE
Open Bed: Baby Won't You Please Come Home Bessie Smith The Best of Bessie Smith, Sony
See See Rider Ma Rainey Ma Rainey, Fantasy
Clip: Archie Martin
Don't Fish in My Sea Ma Rainey Ma Rainey, Vol. 4: 1926-1927, Document
After You've Gone Bessie Smith The Complete Recordings, Vol. 3, Sony
Clip: Worthia "Showboy" Thomas
I Wanna Hot Dog for My Roll Butterbeans and Susie Stars of the Apollo, Columbia
There'll Be a Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight Bessie Smith The Essential Bessie Smith, Sony
Instrumental: State Street Rag Louie Bluie and Ted Bogan That Devlin’ Tune: A Jazz History: 1895-1950, West Hill Radio Archives
Put Me in the Alley Blues Albert Nicholas and Johnny St. Cyr Really the Blues?: A Blues History, Vol. 1: 1893-1929, West Hill Radio Archives
Clip: Albert Nicholas
Me and My Gin Bessie Smith The Complete Recordings, Vol. 4, Sony
Crazy Blues Mamie Smith and her Jazz Hounds Crazy Blues: The Best of Mamie Smith, Sony
Clip: Jerry Zolten
Clip: Lizzie Miles
Cotton Belt Blues Lizzie Miles Lizzie Miles, Vol. 2: 1923-1928, Document
Downhearted Blues Bessie Smith The Essential Bessie Smith, Sony
Clip: Maureen Mahon on Bessie Smith's Pinch Back Blues
Pinch Back Blues Bessie Smith The Complete Recordings, Vol. 1, Sony
Clip: Louis Armstrong talking about Bessie Smith for the Voice of America, 1956
St. Louis Blues Bessie Smith Louis Armstrong Voice of America radio program, 1956, University of North Texas Music Library Archive
Instrumental: St. Louis Blues Louis Armstrong Louis Armstrong Plays W. C. Handy, Sony
Clip: Maureen Mahon on Bessie Smith's Backwater Blues
Backwater Blues Bessie Smith The Complete Recordings, Vol. 3, Sony
Clip: Robert O'Meally on Ralph Ellison and Bessie Smith
Work House Blues Bessie Smith Ralph Ellison: Living with Music, Sony
Lock and Key Bessie Smith The Complete Recordings, Vol. 3, Sony
Clip: Maureen Mahon on the film "St. Louis Blues"
Gimme A Pig Foot and a Bottle of Beer Bessie Smith The Complete Recordings, Vol.5: The Final Chapter, Sony
Clip: Dave Oxley on Bessie Smith's death near Clarksdale, MS
My Last Affair Billie Holiday Lady Day: The Complete Billie Holiday on Columbia: 1933-1944, Sony
End Bed: St. Louis Blues Art Tatum Piano Starts Here, Sony
HOUR TWO
Open Bed: Do Your Duty Bessie Smith The Complete Recordings, Vol.5: The Final Chapter, Sony
Your Mother's Son in Law Billie Holiday Lady Day: The Complete Billie Holiday on Columbia, Vol. 1, Sony
Clip: Chris Albertson on Billie Holiday as a blues singer
Give Me a Pigfoot and a Bottle of Beer Billie Holiday The Complete Decca Recordings, GRP
Clip: Koko Taylor
I'm Mixed Up Koko Taylor What It Takes/The Chess Years, Chess
Preachin' the Blues LaVern Baker LaVern Baker Sings Bessie Smith, Atlantic
Instrumental: Backwater Blues BB King One Kind Favor, Geffen
Clip: Mahalia Jackson
In the Beautiful Tomorrow Mahalia Jackson The Original Apollo Sessions, Couch & Madison
On Revival Day (A Rhythmic Spiritual) Bessie Smith The Complete Recordings, Vol. 4 , Sony
Clip: Nina Simone
Sugar in My Bowl Nina Simone Essential Women in Blues, Platinum
After You've Gone Dinah Washington Dinah Washington Sings Bessie Smith, Verve
Clip: Catherine Russell
Kitchen Man Catherine Russell Sentimental Streak, World Village
Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out Alberta Hunter Amtrak Blues, Sony
Instrumental: I Just Wanna Make Love to You Annika Chambers American Routes original recording at the 2018 Montana Folk Festival ,
Segment: Annika Chambers
Backwater Blues Irma Thomas Our New Orleans, Nonesuch
Closing Bed: Basin Street Blues Henry Butler American Routes original recording,