Bessie Smith  (1894-1937)
Last updated: 30.09.24
p_smithbes.jpgAccording to the Internet source given below, Bessie Smith was an American blues singer. Nicknamed the Empress of the Blues, she was the most popular female blues singer of the 1920s and 1930s. She is often regarded as one of the greatest singers of her era and was a major influence on other jazz singers.
Personal remarks:
In my vinyl collection I have an EP Jazzland (Philips, BBE. 12082) on which she sings I ain't Gonna Play No Second Fiddle with Louis Armstrong.
Websites:
url15.gif Bessie Smith Biography by wikipedia.org.  
url15.gif  DAHR: Bessie Smith List of 181 historic recordings from 1923 to 1933.
  Title (Release Year) Composer Performers Issue
         
  Historic Records      
  as Performer      
record15.gif Kitchen Man (1929) E.B. Alexander B. Smith Columbia: W148487
recordmp3.gif Any Woman's Blues (1923) L. Austin B. Smith Columbia: 81283
recordmp3.gif Chicago Bound Blues (1923) L. Austin B. Smith Columbia: 81391
recordmp3.gif Down Hearted Blues (1923) L. Austin B. Smith Columbia: 80863
record15.gif Dyin' by the Hour (1927) G. Brooks B. Smith Columbia: W144918
recordmp3.gif Far Away Blues (1923) G. Brooks B. Smith
C. Smith
Columbia: 81261
record15.gif Hard Driving Papa (1926) G. Brooks B. Smith Columbia: W142148
record15.gif Honey Man Blues (1926) G. Brooks B. Smith Columbia: W142875
record15.gif Jazzbo Brown From Memphis Town (1926) G. Brooks B. Smith Columbia: W141819
record15.gif One and Two Blues (1926) G. Brooks B. Smith Columbia: W142876
recordmp3.gif Rainy Weather Blues (1924) G. Brooks B. Smith Columbia: 81907
recordmp3.gif Salt Water Blues (1924) G. Brooks B. Smith Columbia: 81893
record15.gif Send Me to the 'lectric Chair (1927) G. Brooks B. Smith Columbia: W143576
record15.gif Them's Graveyard Words (1927) G. Brooks B. Smith Columbia: W143583
record15.gif Trombone Cholly (1927) G. Brooks B. Smith Columbia: W143575
record15.gif Black Mountain Blues (1930) H. Cole B. Smith Columbia: W150658
recordmp3.gif  I'm Going Back to My Used-To-Be (1923) J. Cox B. Smith
C. Smith
Columbia: 81262
recordmp3.gif Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out (1929) J. Cox B. Smith Columbia: W148534
recordmp3.gif Follow the Deal on Down (1924) T. Delaney B. Smith Columbia: 140161
record15.gif Red Mountain Blues (1925) E. Dowell B. Smith Columbia: W141293
record15.gif He's Got Me Goin' (1929) P. Grainger B. Smith Columbia: W148902
record15.gif Homeless Blues (1927) P. Grainger B. Smith Columbia: W144800
recordmp3.gif Mistreatin' Daddy (1923) P. Grainger B. Smith Columbia: 81392
record15.gif Put It Right Here (Or Keep It Out There) (1928) P. Grainger B. Smith Columbia: W145787
recordmp3.gif Tain't Nobody's Biz-Ness if I Do (1923) P. Grainger B. Smith Columbia: 80862
record15.gif Yes Indeed He Do (1928) P. Grainger B. Smith Columbia: W146887
record15.gif You Ought to Be Ashamed (1928) P. Grainger B. Smith Columbia: W146889
recordmp3.gif My Sweetie Went Away (1923) L. Handman B. Smith Columbia: 81245
recordmp3.gif Eavesdropper's Blues (1924) J.C. Johnson B. Smith Columbia: 81469
record15.gif Empty Bed Blues (1928) J.C. Johnson B. Smith Columbia: W145786
recordmp3.gif Haunted House Blues (1924) J.C. Johnson B. Smith Columbia: 81466
record15.gif Hustlin' Dan (1930) J.C. Johnson B. Smith Columbia: W150657
record15.gif Me and My Gin (1928) J.C. Johnson B. Smith Columbia: W146897
recordmp3.gif  Mama's Got the Blues (1923) S. Martin B. Smith Columbia: 80995
recordmp3.gif Oh, Daddy Blues (1923) W. Russell B. Smith Columbia: 80953
recordmp3.gif Aggravatin' Papa (1923) R. Turk B. Smith Columbia: 80949
recordmp3.gif Beale Street Mama (1923) R. Turk B. Smith Columbia: 80950
recordmp3.gif Baby, Won't You Please Come Home? (1923) C. Williams B. Smith Columbia: 80952
recordmp3.gif Gulf Coast Blues (1923) C. Williams B. Smith Columbia: 80864
recordmp3.gif Outside of That (1923) C. Williams B. Smith Columbia: 80996
recordmp3.gif Keeps on A-Rainin' (1923) S. Williams B. Smith Columbia: 80865
recordmp3.gif Midnight Blues (1923) S. Williams B. Smith Columbia: 81080
     Title Author Supplier
       
book15.gif  book15.gif   Bessie Chris Albertson flag15us.gif flag15uk.gif flag15de.gif flag15fr.gif flag15ca.gif flag15it.gif flag15es.gif
book15.gif  book15.gif   Queen of the Blues Jennifer Warner flag15us.gif flag15uk.gif flag15de.gif flag15fr.gif flag15ca.gif flag15it.gif flag15es.gif
     Performer CD Title Supplier
       
Jazz Music CDs:
cd15.gif Bessie Smith Bessie Smith 1923-1924 flag15us.gif
cd15.gif Bessie Smith Bessie Smith 1924-1925 flag15us.gif
cd15.gif Chris Barber The Absolutely Essential 3CD Collection flag15us.gif flag15uk.gif flag15de.gif flag15fr.gif flag15ca.gif flag15it.gif flag15es.gif
cd15.gif Chris Barber The Very Best of Chris Barber flag15us.gif flag15uk.gif flag15de.gif flag15fr.gif flag15ca.gif flag15it.gif flag15es.gif
cd15.gif Monty Sunshine Remembering Monty Sunshine CD(s) & MP3 Album(s) flag15us.gif flag15uk.gif flag15de.gif flag15fr.gif flag15ca.gif flag15it.gif flag15es.gif
Ragtime Music CDs:
cd15.gif Sue Keller Wild Women Don't Have The Blues CD(s) & MP3 Album(s) flag15us.gif flag15uk.gif flag15de.gif flag15fr.gif flag15ca.gif flag15es.gif
The peformer is featured on 45 sheet music/recording covers. It does not claim to be complete and represents only the number of items located. Keys: (w&m) ER
     Title Composer Attribution Remarks
         
perf15.jpg Kitchen Man (1929) Edna Belle Alexander Andy Razaf (co-author)
Bessie Smith (perf.)
 record15.gif
perf15.jpg Any Woman's Blues (1923) Lovie Austin(w&m) Bessie Smith (perf.)
 recordmp3.gif
perf15.jpg Chicago Bound Blues (1923) Lovie Austin(w&m) Bessie Smith (perf.)
 recordmp3.gif
perf15.jpg Down Hearted Blues (1923) Lovie Austin Alberta Hunter (words)
Bessie Smith (perf.)
 recordmp3.gif
perf15.jpg Alexander's Ragtime Band - Song (1911) Irving Berlin(w&m) Bessie Smith (perf.)
youtube15.jpg
perf15.jpg Sinful Blues (1924) Perry Bradford Bessie Smith (perf.)
perf15.jpg Far Away Blues (1923) George Brooks(w&m) Bessie Smith (perf.)
Clara Smith (perf.)
 recordmp3.gif
perf15.jpg Rainy Weather Blues (1924) George Brooks(w&m) Bessie Smith (perf.)
 recordmp3.gif
perf15.jpg Salt Water Blues (1924) George Brooks(w&m) Bessie Smith (perf.)
 recordmp3.gif
perf15.jpg Hard Driving Papa (1926) George Brooks(w&m) Bessie Smith (perf.)
 record15.gif
perf15.jpg  Honey Man Blues (1926) George Brooks(w&m) Bessie Smith (perf.)
 record15.gif
perf15.jpg Jazzbo Brown From Memphis Town (1926) George Brooks Bessie Smith (perf.)
 record15.gif
perf15.jpg One and Two Blues (1926) George Brooks(w&m) Bessie Smith (perf.)
 record15.gif
perf15.jpg Dyin' by the Hour (1927) George Brooks(w&m) Bessie Smith (perf.)
 record15.gif
perf15.jpg Send Me to the 'lectric Chair (1927) George Brooks(w&m) Bessie Smith (perf.)
 record15.gif
perf15.jpg Them's Graveyard Words (1927) George Brooks(w&m) Bessie Smith (perf.)
 record15.gif
perf15.jpg Trombone Cholly (1927) George Brooks Bessie Smith (perf.)
 record15.gif
perf15.jpg Black Mountain Blues (1930) Henry Cole Bessie Smith (perf.)
 record15.gif
perf15.jpg Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out (1923) Jimmie Cox(w&m) Bessie Smith (perf.)
 recordmp3.gif
perf15.jpg I'm Going Back to My Used-To-Be (1923) Jimmie Cox Jimmie Cox (words)
Bessie Smith (perf.)
Clara Smith (perf.)
 recordmp3.gif
perf15.jpg Follow the Deal on Down (1924) Tom Delaney Bessie Smith (perf.)
 recordmp3.gif
perf15.jpg  Red Mountain Blues (1925) Edgar Dowell Henry Troy (words)
Bessie Smith (perf.)
 record15.gif
perf15.jpg Tain't Nobody's Biz-Ness if I Do (1922) Porter Grainger(w&m) Everett Robbins (co-author)
Bessie Smith (perf.)
 recordmp3.gif
perf15.jpg Mistreatin' Daddy (1923) Porter Grainger(w&m) Bob Ricketts (co-author)
Bessie Smith (perf.)
 recordmp3.gif
perf15.jpg Devil's Gonna Git You, (1928) Porter Grainger
Bessie Smith (perf.)
perf15.jpg Yes Indeed He Do (1928) Porter Grainger(w&m) Bessie Smith (perf.)
 record15.gif
perf15.jpg Homeless Blues (1927) Porter Grainger(w&m) Bessie Smith (perf.)
 record15.gif
perf15.jpg Put It Right Here (Or Keep It Out There) (1928) Porter Grainger(w&m) Bessie Smith (perf.)
 record15.gif
perf15.jpg You Ought to Be Ashamed (1928) Porter Grainger(w&m) Bessie Smith (perf.)
 record15.gif
perf15.jpg He's Got Me Goin' (1929) Porter Grainger(w&m) Bessie Smith (perf.)
 record15.gif
perf15.jpg My Sweetie Went Away (1923) Lou Handman Roy Turk (words)
Bessie Smith (perf.)
 recordmp3.gif
perf15.jpg Haunted House Blues (1924) J.C. Johnson(w&m) Bessie Smith (perf.)
 recordmp3.gif
perf15.jpg  Eavesdropper's Blues (1924) J.C. Johnson Bessie Smith (perf.)
 recordmp3.gif
perf15.jpg Empty Bed Blues (1928) J.C. Johnson(w&m) Bessie Smith (perf.)
 record15.gif
perf15.jpg Me and My Gin (1928) J.C. Johnson(w&m) Bessie Smith (perf.)
 record15.gif
perf15.jpg Hustlin' Dan (1930) J.C. Johnson(w&m) Bessie Smith (perf.)
 record15.gif
perf15.jpg Mama's Got the Blues (1923) Sara Martin Clarence Williams (co-author)
Bessie Smith (perf.)
 recordmp3.gif
perf15.jpg Oh, Daddy Blues (1923) William Russell Edward Herbert (co-author)
Bessie Smith (perf.)
 recordmp3.gif
perf15.jpg Aggravatin' Papa (1922) Roy Turk(w&m) J. Russel Robinson (co-author)
Bessie Smith (perf.)
 recordmp3.gif
perf15.jpg Beale Street Mama (1923) Roy Turk(w&m) J. Russel Robinson (co-author)
Bessie Smith (perf.)
 recordmp3.gif
perf15.jpg Baby, Won't You Please Come Home? (1919) Clarence Williams Charles Warfield (words)
Bessie Smith (perf.)
 recordmp3.gif
perf15.jpg Gulf Coast Blues (1923) Clarence Williams(w&m) Bessie Smith (perf.)
 recordmp3.gif
perf15.jpg Outside of That (1923) Clarence Williams(w&m) Jo Trent (words)
Bessie Smith (perf.)
 recordmp3.gif
perf15.jpg  Midnight Blues (1923) Spencer Williams Babe Thompson (co-author)
Bessie Smith (perf.)
 recordmp3.gif
perf15.jpg Keeps on A-Rainin' (1923) Spencer Williams(w&m) Max Kortlander (co-author)
Bessie Smith (perf.)
 recordmp3.gif
This list is arranged in chronological order and contains 14 works by Bessie Smith (1894-1937). It does not claim to be complete and represents only the number of items located.
Title Year Attribution Remarks
       
Any Woman's Blues 1923  youtube15.jpg
Down Hearted Blues 1923  youtube15.jpg
Jailhouse Blues 1923  youtube15.jpg
Yellow Dog Blues, The 1925  youtube15.jpg
Black Water Blues 1927  youtube15.jpg
Bleeding Hearted Blues 1927  youtube15.jpg
Trombone Cholly 1927  youtube15.jpg
Poor Man's Blues 1928  youtube15.jpg
Blue Spirit Blues 1929  youtube15.jpg
Wasted Life Blues 1929 James Price Johnson (co-author)  youtube15.jpg
New Orleans Hop Scop Blues 1930  youtube15.jpg
Baby Doll ?
It Makes My Love Come Down ? Don Raye (words)
Young Woman's Blues ?
     Composer Title Performer
       
youtube15.jpg I. Berlin Alexander's Ragtime Band (Bessie Smith) (3:00) B. Smith
youtube15.jpg P. Grainger Devil's Gonna Git You (1928) (3:11) B. Smith
youtube15.jpg B. Smith Blue Spirit Blues (2:57) B. Smith
youtube15.jpg B. Smith Any Woman's Blues (3:24) B. Smith
youtube15.jpg B. Smith Jailhouse Blues (3:17) B. Smith
youtube15.jpg B. Smith Trombone Cholly (3:22) B. Smith
youtube15.jpg B. Smith The Yellow Dog Blues (3:06) B. Smith
youtube15.jpg B. Smith Bleeding Hearted Blues (3:07) B. Smith
youtube15.jpg B. Smith Down Hearted Blues (3:26) B. Smith
youtube15.jpg  B. Smith Poor Man's Blues (3:28) B. Smith
youtube15.jpg B. Smith New Orleans Hop Scop Blues (3:02) B. Smith
youtube15.jpg B. Smith Black Water Blues (3:19) B. Smith
youtube15.jpg B. Smith Wasted Life Blues (3:09) B. Smith