Empress of the Blues: Bessie Smith
Bessie Smith was called the Empress of the Blues, but she was also the highest paid African American entertainer of her generation. We’ll explore the life and times of Bessie Smith from her early days performing on Chattanooga street corners and her travels on the TOBA circuit to her decade as a top selling recording artist. Then, a conversation with Annika Chambers, a 21st Century blues woman and classic Bessie Smith songs by Dinah Washington, Nina Simone and Alberta Hunter.
HOUR ONE
Open Bed: Baby Won't You Please Come Home Bessie Smith
The Best of Bessie Smith, The Best of Bessie Smith
See See Rider Ma Rainey
Ma Rainey, Fantasy
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
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 Archive
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
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
Cotton Belt Blues Lizzie Miles
Lizzie Miles, Vol. 2: 1923-1928, Document
Downhearted Blues Bessie Smith
The Essential Bessie Smith, Sony
Pinch Back Blues Bessie Smith
The Complete Recordings, Vol. 1, Sony
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 Play W.C. Handy, Sony
Backwater Blues Bessie Smith
The Complete Recordings, Vol. 3, Sony
Work House Blues Bessie Smith
Ralph Ellison: Living with Music, Sony
Lock and Key Bessie Smith
The Complete Recordings, Vol. 3, Sony
Gimme A Pig Foot and a Bottle of Beer Bessie Smith
The Complete Recordings, Vol. 5: The Final Chapter, Sony
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
Give Me a Pigfoot and a Bottle of Beer Billie Holiday
The Complete Decca Recordings, GRP
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
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
Sugar in My Bowl Nina Simone
Essential Women in Blues, Platinum
After You've Gone Dinah Washington
Dinah Washington Sings Bessie Smith, Verve
Kitchen Man Catherine Russell
Sentimental Streak, World Village
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
End Bed: Basin Street Blues Henry Butler
American Routes original recording