Can it really be true that there has not been a single thread devoted to the greatest blues singer of all time? What a travesty. For "St. Louis Blues" alone, she would be classic. In my book, her artistry is easily the equal of Charley Patton, Robert Johnson, Son House, or any other bluesman you could name.
Search: Everything, but particularly "St. Louis Blues," "Tain't Nobody's Bizness," "Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out," "My Sweetie Went Away," and "Cemetery Blues."
Destroy: Nothing I have discovered yet (though maybe her spirit flags a little on some of the later box sets? Hard to imagine but I haven't heard them all yet).
― medelman, Tuesday, 25 May 2010 06:39 (fifteen years ago)
Yeah she is amazing. She seems to have a deep well of something which sounds aching and sad but is also quite noble and strong sounding too. She does have so many compliations and various things and everything I've heard has been great.
― Hinklepicker, Tuesday, 25 May 2010 06:59 (fifteen years ago)
Agreed. Completely amazing talent & a class act. The same could potentially be said of Memphis Minnie.
― ImprovSpirit, Tuesday, 25 May 2010 16:39 (fifteen years ago)
Never really listened to Bessie Smith before, so much life and spirit in this music. Any other thoughts on must-hear recordings?
― NickB, Tuesday, 17 November 2015 10:21 (ten years ago)
"Gimme a Pigs Foot" is a late one that I must have played five times in a row some nights
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSS63jftaA4
― juggulo for the complete klvtz (bendy), Tuesday, 17 November 2015 13:09 (ten years ago)