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Vasily Petrenko, Henry Goodman

In Tune Sean Rafferty's guests include conductor Vasily Petrenko and actor Henry Goodman.

Geoffrey Smith's Jazz

Image for Bessie Smith

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Bessie Smith

Duration:
1 hour
First broadcast:
Sunday 10 February 2013

The legendary Empress of the Blues, Bessie Smith dominated blues singing in the 1920s, and her huge voice-passionate yet subtle-influenced vocal stars from jazz to rock, Billie Holiday to Janis Joplin. Geoffrey Smith picks his favourite tracks from her immortal legacy.

Music Played

16 items
Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes
  • Image for Bessie Smith

    Bessie Smith Oh Daddy Blues

    Composer: Herbert, Russell Performers: Bessie Smith, v; Clarence Williams, p. April 1923

    Bessie Smith Sings the Jazz, Jazz Archives, 157902, Tr. 12

  • Image for Bessie Smith

    Bessie Smith Keeps on A-Rainin’

    Composer: Williams, Kortlander Performers: Bessie Smith, v; Clarence Williams, p. April 1923

    Empty Bed Blues, ASV, AJA5213, Tr. 2

  • Image for Billie Holiday

    Billie Holiday Keeps on A-Rainin’

    Composer: Williams, Kortlander Performers: Billie Holiday, v; Bernie Privin, Tony Faso, Dick Vance, t; Henderson Chambers, Mort Bullmans, tb; Eddie Barefield, cl, bs; George Dorsey, Johnny Mince, as; Budd Johnson, Freddie Williams, ts; Horace Henderson, p; Everett Barksdale, g; George Duvivier, b; Cozy Cole, d; Sy Oliver, arr. August 1949

    The Complete Original American Decca Recordings, GRP Records, GRP GRP26012 (2); D2, Tr.12

  • Image for Bessie Smith

    Bessie Smith St. Louis Blues

    Composer: Handy Performers: Bessie Smith, v; Louis Armstrong, c; Fred Longshaw, pipe organ. January 1925

    The Essential Bessie Smith, Columbia/Legacy, 487398 2. D1, Tr, 10

  • Image for Bessie Smith

    Bessie Smith Cake Walkin’ Babies from Home

    Composer: Smith, Troy, William Performers: Bessie Smith, v; Charlie Big Green, tb; Buster Bailey, cl; Coleman Hawkins, ts; Joe Smith, c; Fletcher Henderson, p; Charlie Dixon, bj; Bob Escuerdo, tu. May1925

    The Essential Bessie Smith, Columbia/Legacy, 487398 2. D1, Tr. 12

  • Image for Bessie Smith

    Bessie Smith Baby Doll

    Composer: Smith Performers: Bessie Smith, v; Joe Smith, c; Fletcher Henderson, p. May 1926

    The Great Vocalists: Bessie Smith, Topaz, TPZ 1033. Tr. 1

  • Image for Bessie Smith

    Bessie Smith Young Woman’s Blues

    Composer: Smith Performers: Bessie Smith, v; Joe Smith, c; Buster Bailey, cl; Fletcher Henderson, p. 1926

    Sweet Mistreater, Blue Orchid, BLUE202CD. D2, Tr.1

  • Image for Bessie Smith

    Bessie Smith Yellow Dog Blues

    Composer: Handy Performers: Bessie Smith, v; Joe Smith, c; Charlie Green, tb; Buster Bailey, cl; Coleman Hawkins, ts; Fletcher Henderson, p; Charlie Dixon, bj; Bob Escudero, tu. 1925

    Sweet Mistreater, Blue Orchid, BLUE202CD. D1, Tr.16

  • Image for Dinah Washington

    Dinah Washington Send Me to the ‘Lectric Chair

    Composer: Henderson Performers: Dinah Washington, v; Clark Terry, Fortunatus Ricard, t; Eddie Chamblee, ts; McKinley Easton, bs; Quentin Jackson, tb; James Craig, p; Robare Edmonson, b; James Slaughter, d. December 1957

    The Bessie Smith Songbook, Emarcy, 8266632 (1); Tr.2

  • Chris Barber Tell me Where is Fancy Bred

    Composer: Shakespeare, arr Patterson Performers: Ottilie Patterson, v; Chris Barber, tb; Pat Halcox, Ken Colyer, t; Ian Wheeler, Archie Semple, cl; Johnny Parker, p; Eddie Smith, bj; Dick Smith, b; Graham Burbridge, d. 1964

    The BBC Jazz Club, Upbeat Jazz, URCD125. Tr.18

  • Image for Bessie Smith

    Bessie Smith Black Mountain Blues

    Composer: Cole Performers: Bessie Smith, v; Ed Allen, c; Steve Stevens, p. July 1930

    The Essential Bessie Smith, Columbia/Legacy, 487398 2. D2, Tr.12

  • Image for Bessie Smith

    Bessie Smith Backwater Blues

    Composer: Smith Performers: Bessie Smith, v; James P. Johnson, p. February 1927

    The Essential Bessie Smith, Columbia/Legacy, 487398 2. D1, Tr. 17

  • Image for Bessie Smith

    Bessie Smith Kitchen Man

    Composer: Razaf, Bellenda Performers: Bessie Smith, v; Eddie Lang, g; Clarence Williams, p. May 1929

    The Essential Bessie Smith, Columbia/Legacy, 487398 2. D2, Tr.8

  • Image for Bessie Smith

    Bessie Smith Trombone Cholly

    Composer: Brooks, Johnson Performers: Bessie Smith, v; Joe Smith, c; Charlie Big Green, tb; Fletcher Henderson, p. March 1927

    The Essential Bessie Smith, Columbia/Legacy, 487398 2. D2, Tr.3

  • Image for Bessie Smith

    Bessie Smith Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out

    Composer: Cox Performers: Bessie Smith, v; Ed Allen, c; Garvin Bushell, as; Greely Walton, ts; Clarence Williams, p; Cyrus St. Clair, tu. May 1929

    The Essential Bessie Smith, Columbia / Legacy, 487398 2. D2, Tr.9

  • Image for Bessie Smith

    Bessie Smith Gimme a Pigfoot and a Bottle of Beer

    Composer: Wilson Performers: Bessie Smith, v; Frankie Newton, t; Jack Teagarden, tb; Benny Goodman, cl; Chu Berry, ts; Buck Washington, p, ldr; Bobby Johnson, g; Billy Taylor, b. November 1933

    The Essential Bessie Smith, Columbia/Legacy, 487398 2. D2, Tr.16

Broadcasts

Free download

  1. Image for Geoffrey Smith’s Jazz

    Geoffrey Smith’s Jazz

    Geoffrey Smith with his weekly selection of jazz. Each Saturday at midnight, Geoffrey Smith...

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