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Bessie Smith - Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
Sex, drugs and the blues
The Empress Of The Blues, as Smith has universally become known, is owed a debt by very many blues singers who have worked ever since her death in 1937. Bessie Smith really lived the life that she sang about, giving her delivery on the title song and others such as Me & My Gin and Down Hearted Blues added poignancy. Smith’s voice was strong and assured, and although these are very old recordings, it’s this strength that comes through repeatedly. Often with simple piano backing and various brass figures, such as the wandering trombone on Empty Bed Blues, she is in total command of the material, even making the Gershwins’ Summertime sound down and dirty. So much more recent music can be traced from these beginnings, that everyone’s collection really ought to include Smith, and this is a fine place to start.
Rev-Ola | CR REV 220
Reviewed by Kingsley Abbott
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