@osnapitzari great video! i absolutely loved it! i never thought that music from the 1920's would ever appeal to me. guess i was wrong, cause it does. :)
@xxTitanicRocksxx Agreed. Music sucks when it's too new to hold any nostalgic charm. And all that stuff from before the recording era is just as awful.
I think Bessie was wonderful that she could sing so well without all the recording gadgets they use nowadays. She was an originator, it's the truth, she was one of the first blues recording artist, and everything after that came after was built around her and a few others at that time.
Contempt from white people, who cares about that? Contempt from negros of a lighter colour, this is what hurt Mr. Armstrong so much. But then ultimately his optimism was not misplaced, combined with patience, when he was crowned as the king of Zulu.
@randolphfreedmartz Well said - so true of so many worldwide - a very sad state of affairs. Ironically it is these very conditions which produced some of the most beautiful music we will ever hear.
Bessie's rendition is simply agonizing; Nina Simone's mournful, but Louis Armstrong's sad in an up-tempo way. Somehow he always brought hope to even the saddest lyrics. But that was his personality; always optimistic.
I don't think he meant that she was a bad person. He's just being honest; she was by all accounts rough, crude, and violent. But if you look at where she came from, you can see why. And she had such a powerful voice because she identified closely with the themes of the blues at that time, which were often rough, crude, and violent. Have you ever noticed how a large amount of the mail blues singers served lengthy prison sentences, many for murder (although some where miscarriages of justice)?
amen to what kellyb228 has to say. I get so tired of the crap on American Idol. I even posted one of Bessie Smith's songs on FB= Nobody paid attention to it..
She and her friends were threatened by the KKK and they ran up to them and Bessy and friends scared the KKK away! She was so inspiring and strong. Thank you sister!
I'm only 17, i used to listen to all that gangster rap stuff.. but now i listen to jazz hiphop. and i see where it get's its influences from.. blues, jazz the music really brings the good mood in life and so does jazz hiphop..
@MegaMoFUnk: I did the same thing at age 14, 50 years ago. There are still many jazz compositions I listen to to this day, getting as much pleasure from as you are now. See what you think of anything Louis Armstrong did during one of his most creative periods, 1930-32.
@Urbino237 thanks for the info, i appreciate it and if you know any more artists i'll be happy to know more! i love jazz no matter what. I notice that jazz hiphop may not have singing as much as jazz does but they lyrics are meaningful about the beauties we have in this world,peace & love. I'm glad to know my generation tries its best to not disrespect the originals of jazz.. ##rapisnthiphop
The verse on this doesn't seem to get sung much. Guess it didn't fit the 3-minute jazz format of the day, except for vocalists. Tea for Two has one, as does Night and Day, but they don't seem to get sung much.
edmundusrex, you display the smallness of your manhood when you denigrate a woman. Who are you to label her crude, violent? If she was crude what are you? You who enjoy her ( her music is she), and at the same time need to belittle her. Your kind defame black cats, wolves, and all that you fear. You are drawn to and FEAR this woman. It probably makes your puny dick hard to call her names. She was no more a lesbian than Angelina Jolie or Marilyn Monroe who slept with Joan Crawford
edmundusrex, you display the smallness of your manhood when you denigrate a woman. Who are you to label her crude, violent? If she was crude what are you? You who enjoy her ( her music is she), and at the same time need to belittle her. Your kind defame black cats, wolves, and all that you fear. You are drawn to and FEAR this woman. It probably makes your puny dick hard to call her names. She was no worse than your mother, or your daughter...just more honest.
Her music is filled with so much soul and she did indeed set the pace for so many after her. But, the original is a tough act to follow. She was brilliant...
I always feel better after listening to Bessie. whatever your trouble, she's been there and came up singing . She inspires us...and bareilly needed a microphone!
Love It! Soul stirring.. Just downloaded it at DownloadMusic/./im , remove the slashes.. download it, plug ur ear phone, close ur eyes, listen to the beat and forget the world.
wow this is the first time i'm listening to this song (as a matter of fact i just started listening to blues this week lol) and its just amazing!!!.... :)
You might try my playlists, 110 of them for every single year back to 1900.
Imagine you've gone back in time as you listen. It's a work in progress, but some lists play up to 2 hours. It's becoming the biggest compilation anywhere.
@chkjns yeah i'll check it out. For my music class we are covering popular music from 1900- till now, so your playlist will be really helpful! thank you.
@mona1341 Hi Mona, your group might be interested in what is happening at Cafe de Paris in July 22nd. We're transporting it back to the late 20's/30's club nights....dinner, champagne, dance bands, the best songs....
the only thing crude has nothing to do with Ms. Bessie Smith but with assassinating her character. Take that down ... whats wrong with you? Nice of you to mention her achievements down stream of your drivel.
Bessie Smith was indeed rough and crude. She lived what she sang. You clearly know little of the topic on which you speak. She was a human being. It isn't character assassination to present the truth. It is what it is. She was also perhaps the most influential Blues vocalist of the 20th century with an influence that trickled into almost every genre of American Popular music, her only equal being Louis Armstrong.
I don't think that Bessie Smith's style was rough or crude by any means. It was a technically refined and 'softer' version of Mamie Smith (and her Jazz Hounds). Now, Bessie's life-style was (for the lack of a better term) rough, but I like to avoid confusing the artist with their art. ;D
@direfranchement It's hard to believe this was recorded in 1927. I have heard Bessie Smith's music before. But usually her singing does not sound nearly so - flexible and evocative to me. (One of my favorites by her is "I want to be somebody's Baby Doll." Very evocative.) Every moment, every choice in improvisation was effective and touching. Maybe it's just my reaction to the song, which is one of my sentimental favorites. Lovely. Thanks.
@direfranchement . Interesting that you mention Louis Armstrong. To me Bessie's Smith's pure blues-belting lines sound very horn-like. No doubt she was was greatly influenced by Armstrong and the other great New Orleans trumpet/cornet players. Definitely a singer for the ages. I also recommend Fiona Apple's version of this tune. Although Fiona doesn't have Smith's pure pipes ( how many do?) her smokey-voiced deceptively simple rendition just oozes with pathos.
These here Talents were listening to of the 20's & 30's' had (REAL) talent, and the character to maintain the talent. Not the likes of Lilly Allen, Pixie Lot, and other crap boy bands of 2008-2009
Hmmm.....let's see....a black woman, living in earlier 1900's in the south ... lynchings of blacks, segregation, disrespected ... guess I'd be 'rough, crude, and violent' too, most likely.
Misconsuived - it isn't an accusation. Read Chris Albertson's biography "Bessie." Bessie Smith was probably the greatest singer of her time, but she had a reputation for drinking, performing drunk, beating and even shooting people who upset her. She once shot her husband after seeing him with another woman, and on another occasion, beat the "other woman" so badly that she was in the hospital for a week.
This voice is unreal for her time. It's so bold. I love this performance.
Has anyone heard Juanita Hall's (that's right, Bloody Marry herself) performance of this song on her album "Juanita Hall Sings the Blues?" She does a good job, but no as good as this.
Bessie was born in the segregated south. Both of her parents died by the time she was 9. Her older sister, Viola (who was a teenager and had a child of her own), raised Bessie after their parents died.
Bessie has been known to be temperamental and free-spirited. She once punched a man who disrespected her. In retaliation, he stabbed her on her way home. Despite her wound, she chased him down!
In 1929, her life took a heartbreaking turn. Her husband left her and in an act of vindictiveness, took 2 of the most important people in her life away-----her adopted son and her niece. Her music career declined at the time, as well, so she sold bootlegged liquor to earn some extra money.
That is so sad! Because of the skin of her color, they let her die!! She died so young jus as same with Billie Holiday!! She sangs like she"s from the church!!
@jovta22 That is an untrue myth. Miss Smith was attended at the scene by a doctor who happened upon the accident on his way to a fishing trip with a friend, and taken to the closest hospital, where she died after her arm was amputated. Her injuries were so terrible and her blood loss so great, plus the hospitals in that time were not able to deal with the severe trauma of somoene who's arm was nearly torn off in a crash.
Early on the morning of September 26, Bessie, along with her current partner, Richard Morgan, were on their way to Mississippi after a performance in Memphis. Their vehicle crashed into a large truck parked on the shoulder of an unlit road. Morgan, survived. Smith sustained serious injuries to her arm and head. She died hours later.
It's been said that Bessie's life could have been spared, but the first hospital she was rushed to would not admit her because she was Black. By the time she was taken to a hospital that would admit her, her injuries had worsened and she could not be saved.
@BlackPhenom7 That is a myth. Miss Smith was attended by a doctor who happened upon the crash on his way to a fishing trip, and then taken to a hospital. There was a very good hospital for blacks in Clarksdale, which was the closest town to the crash. She died because of the trauma & blood loss, despite efforts to save her, which included amputating her arm.
No subsequent recording of this Blues classic came within striking distance of the standard the Blues Empress set in 1927. It's flawless. The riffs she tosses out are scorching! She musically gave the world later giants like Mahalia Jackson, Big Mama Thornton, and Dinah Washington---she was the artistic mother of them all. Five stars for this recording one hundred times over, and thanks!
Thanks edmundusrex for putting this on youtube. The sound quality of this is rather unusual - on my computer it sounds like reverb was added and a stereo effect. What is this from ?
In so many ways, YouTube is making my day! It's put at my disposal a library of diverse cultural greatness that my meager pocketbook could little afford. YouTube, thank you!
Baby she CHURCHED this song! Now until now I didn't think anybody could TOUCH Judy Garland on this one (not even Al Jolson). Bessie Smith just sang the FOOL of this song. Can you imagine bein' her ex and hearin' this????
Superb. Just a splendid classic.
aleks8825 2 weeks ago
She was Janis' Joplin favourite singer!!!!!! I guess they sing together now...somewhere...
missrock98 2 weeks ago 2
the strongest version of this song ever...beautiful...
rocknpirates 3 weeks ago 2
Im here cause Ariana told me :) bits a great VIDEO!
SvenVreneliOnline 3 weeks ago
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Like if you are here because of @ArianaGrande /osnapitzari :)
Organickissesx 3 weeks ago
Like if you are here because of @ArianaGrande /osnapitzari :)
Organickissesx 3 weeks ago
ARIANA!!! ^.^
ixMissTeddyBear 3 weeks ago
Ariana ! <3
StevenLemusTV 3 weeks ago
@osnapitzari great video! i absolutely loved it! i never thought that music from the 1920's would ever appeal to me. guess i was wrong, cause it does. :)
BUrselfGurlz13 3 weeks ago
Ariana Grande Brought us Here,..Cool !!
ChOsenOne002 3 weeks ago
Ariana Grande sent me
lordvoldemort578 3 weeks ago
@osnapitzari I love u soo much! ur sooo beautiful, and my biggest inspiration. xo
TheJellyrose13 3 weeks ago
hahha i know that when i enter to this page i will find comments like - ariana send me here, omg im crazy about ariana hahahah how great!!!
MsMasterofyou 3 weeks ago
This is a great video Ariana. If you're not busy, you should go to my twitter @Mercedes3243 and read my twitition about you. It's very SPECIAL! :D
mustangrockz23 3 weeks ago
Ariana Grande sent me! Anyways, yeah she does sing with her soul! Really catchy song :]
LittleMissCloud9 3 weeks ago
Ariana if you're watching this right now, then you should go to my twitter @Mercedes3243 and read my twitition for you! (:
mustangrockz23 3 weeks ago
ARIANNA GRANDE SENT ME HERE THUMBS UP!!!!
0575mexicanman 3 weeks ago 3
I WONDER WHY ARIANA TWITTED THIS VIDEO! SO NOT OUR GENERATION GIG!
MrJakefab01 3 weeks ago
Ariana Grande sent me here, I love this! I wish music was still like this.
xNoryenMalux 3 weeks ago 3
Ariana Grande send me here :D
RisingMakeupArtist 3 weeks ago
sing. ♥
osnapitzari 3 weeks ago 13
@osnapitzari :D
ChrisToonNetwork 3 weeks ago
@osnapitzari LOVE YOU
lordvoldemort578 3 weeks ago
@osnapitzari awwww <3
durpydurp32 3 weeks ago
@osnapitzari :')
HeloiseGrande 3 weeks ago
@osnapitzari Wow you have such an old soul
lordvoldemort578 1 week ago
Anyone who uses fiona apple in the same sentence as Bessie Smith, does not deserve to listen to this.
jujabyummy 4 weeks ago
This is the best blues ever..
Florencione 1 month ago
Awesome, nothing else out there like Miss Bessie
minnowpd 1 month ago
Wowzaaa!
peelyb 1 month ago
<3
MsDenise85 1 month ago in playlist Old
fiona apple does it well, but Ms. Smith still rules
minnowpd 2 months ago
What I would do to hear her live.
Stephenthecupcake101 2 months ago
@xxTitanicRocksxx Agreed. Music sucks when it's too new to hold any nostalgic charm. And all that stuff from before the recording era is just as awful.
Cinchona 3 months ago
Totally zoned out soon as she started singing. Time traveled on that one ! Pipes out the wazoo !!!!!!!
hairnsap 3 months ago
I think Bessie was wonderful that she could sing so well without all the recording gadgets they use nowadays. She was an originator, it's the truth, she was one of the first blues recording artist, and everything after that came after was built around her and a few others at that time.
dmsbos6903 4 months ago
Contempt from white people, who cares about that? Contempt from negros of a lighter colour, this is what hurt Mr. Armstrong so much. But then ultimately his optimism was not misplaced, combined with patience, when he was crowned as the king of Zulu.
randolphfreedmartz 4 months ago
The undeniable courage that it takes to be poor with dignity.
randolphfreedmartz 4 months ago 3
@randolphfreedmartz Well said - so true of so many worldwide - a very sad state of affairs. Ironically it is these very conditions which produced some of the most beautiful music we will ever hear.
Bessie's rendition is simply agonizing; Nina Simone's mournful, but Louis Armstrong's sad in an up-tempo way. Somehow he always brought hope to even the saddest lyrics. But that was his personality; always optimistic.
Urbino237 4 months ago
She sang most before the crash. But she became the voice for it. Now that we have a crash again thank God we yet still have her voice.
randolphfreedmartz 4 months ago
<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3
MsDenise85 6 months ago
She was awesome! That's all I got to say!
chocolatewada 7 months ago
I don't think he meant that she was a bad person. He's just being honest; she was by all accounts rough, crude, and violent. But if you look at where she came from, you can see why. And she had such a powerful voice because she identified closely with the themes of the blues at that time, which were often rough, crude, and violent. Have you ever noticed how a large amount of the mail blues singers served lengthy prison sentences, many for murder (although some where miscarriages of justice)?
cholocharile 7 months ago
what a voice! what a woman!
zookeeper1959 7 months ago
i keep chills when i listen to her voice.........
singsalot80 8 months ago
amen to what kellyb228 has to say. I get so tired of the crap on American Idol. I even posted one of Bessie Smith's songs on FB= Nobody paid attention to it..
larrybiring 8 months ago
BLOWeS ME AWAY - to this day!!
dessay1 9 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Now we have Justin Bieber.......... :P
stonepilot1 1 year ago
Now I know that THIS isnt auto-tuned.
icecreamgaldouble07 1 year ago 23
That lady had a voice! It speaks through the years to now, with all that power. Thanks for posting.
greengringo2003 1 year ago
She and her friends were threatened by the KKK and they ran up to them and Bessy and friends scared the KKK away! She was so inspiring and strong. Thank you sister!
shiningarainbow 1 year ago
I'm only 17, i used to listen to all that gangster rap stuff.. but now i listen to jazz hiphop. and i see where it get's its influences from.. blues, jazz the music really brings the good mood in life and so does jazz hiphop..
MegaMoFUnk 1 year ago
@MegaMoFUnk: I did the same thing at age 14, 50 years ago. There are still many jazz compositions I listen to to this day, getting as much pleasure from as you are now. See what you think of anything Louis Armstrong did during one of his most creative periods, 1930-32.
Urbino237 3 months ago
@Urbino237 thanks for the info, i appreciate it and if you know any more artists i'll be happy to know more! i love jazz no matter what. I notice that jazz hiphop may not have singing as much as jazz does but they lyrics are meaningful about the beauties we have in this world,peace & love. I'm glad to know my generation tries its best to not disrespect the originals of jazz.. ##rapisnthiphop
MegaMoFUnk 3 months ago
A perfect example of doing the best you can with what you have.
paradiseyear5000 1 year ago
GRAZIE MILLE! YV:-)))
xyzk54 1 year ago
There been at leat 2 idiots who have listened to this beautiful song!
4IcyHot 1 year ago
You know somethin...its 2010.....I like this. Fascinating.
djmyers71 1 year ago
Great recording - thanks for posting!
jennimpeal 1 year ago
what happened to yodelin blues? I heard a month ago and wanted to learn it and now it's gone.
moo7chi7ld 1 year ago
love to hear the verse sang
oldblueeyesuk 1 year ago
love to hear the verse on this not often sung
oldblueeyesuk 1 year ago
wow, i'm 39 years old...great voice. Music definitely had more heart then, i don't care what anyone says.
djmyers71 1 year ago
Top art. As much expressionism as in a Munch painting.
BuckshotLaFunke 1 year ago
Fantastic!!!! Her musicis an American treasure!! (This comment is coming from a 38b yr old white dude) :)
Childrenofthecornsno 1 year ago
Great singer and pretty too!! TNX!!
wa1ufo 1 year ago
Microphones are for WIMPS!!!
Frisbieinstein 1 year ago
The verse on this doesn't seem to get sung much. Guess it didn't fit the 3-minute jazz format of the day, except for vocalists. Tea for Two has one, as does Night and Day, but they don't seem to get sung much.
williamanesbitt 1 year ago
edmundusrex, you display the smallness of your manhood when you denigrate a woman. Who are you to label her crude, violent? If she was crude what are you? You who enjoy her ( her music is she), and at the same time need to belittle her. Your kind defame black cats, wolves, and all that you fear. You are drawn to and FEAR this woman. It probably makes your puny dick hard to call her names. She was no more a lesbian than Angelina Jolie or Marilyn Monroe who slept with Joan Crawford
ravenwingedkc 1 year ago
edmundusrex, you display the smallness of your manhood when you denigrate a woman. Who are you to label her crude, violent? If she was crude what are you? You who enjoy her ( her music is she), and at the same time need to belittle her. Your kind defame black cats, wolves, and all that you fear. You are drawn to and FEAR this woman. It probably makes your puny dick hard to call her names. She was no worse than your mother, or your daughter...just more honest.
ravenwingedkc 1 year ago
Her music is filled with so much soul and she did indeed set the pace for so many after her. But, the original is a tough act to follow. She was brilliant...
GeminiNightOwl 1 year ago
This song moves me like no other can. Bessie Smith sung like a goddess, pure and simple!
MissGoldenDreams13 1 year ago
I always feel better after listening to Bessie. whatever your trouble, she's been there and came up singing . She inspires us...and bareilly needed a microphone!
Go girl!
blessOTMA 1 year ago
Sing it, mama!
Parisjune 1 year ago
her voice is so amazing
luisdramon 1 year ago
Yes she was wonderful.......just pips Ma Rainey IMO.
cantbeatpizza 1 year ago
This is beautiful, we're researching the 20's at school and im doing bessie. She's awesome!!!
KillerStarfish21 1 year ago 2
me 2 =D
Drakeewifeyy 1 year ago
Fabulosa!
BaraAnne 1 year ago 4
1927 eh? Goodness. Amazing song. Reminds me of my Aunty.
jennivega2001 1 year ago
I gotta repeat this: she sang with all her heart. it touches me so much. so much!
JanetEyre9 1 year ago 9
y'a des leçons à prendre chez les anciens !!!
godinlowden 1 year ago
Bessie Smith sings with tremendous power. Wow...
TheRobertBilly 1 year ago 5
This has been flagged as spam show
Love It! Soul stirring.. Just downloaded it at DownloadMusic/./im , remove the slashes.. download it, plug ur ear phone, close ur eyes, listen to the beat and forget the world.
EstellaRoth901 2 years ago
Magnifique, poignant...
claudevesco 2 years ago 3
wow this is the first time i'm listening to this song (as a matter of fact i just started listening to blues this week lol) and its just amazing!!!.... :)
mona1341 2 years ago 2
You might try my playlists, 110 of them for every single year back to 1900.
Imagine you've gone back in time as you listen. It's a work in progress, but some lists play up to 2 hours. It's becoming the biggest compilation anywhere.
chkjns 2 years ago 3
@chkjns yeah i'll check it out. For my music class we are covering popular music from 1900- till now, so your playlist will be really helpful! thank you.
mona1341 2 years ago
@mona1341 Hi Mona, your group might be interested in what is happening at Cafe de Paris in July 22nd. We're transporting it back to the late 20's/30's club nights....dinner, champagne, dance bands, the best songs....
Euan
euanrafferty 1 year ago
she may been all of that but boy could she sing.
littlebigbrain 2 years ago 2
I like this song! Just heard Tab Hunter singing it here on YOUTUBE. Made me think of Bessie's version.
Wisewoman77 2 years ago
i'm speechless. outstanding.
gmlch 2 years ago 2
This has been flagged as spam show
Too ancient
nicevagina1 2 years ago
@nicevagina1 Good music is always good, regardless of years.
cw1310 2 years ago 3
Waw what great vocals:O
luvebug21 2 years ago 3
Sonoraman: well said! Tommy Liverpool
Tommyfazz 2 years ago
@xxTitanicRocksxx I 100% agree with you. It seemed like the artistic meric of past music is more apparent. Today's is so commercial. :(
misstickmoon 2 years ago 3
amen to that
treblemaker24 2 years ago
she had soul!
umxoxo17 2 years ago
Like this recording alot, but the addition of the echo makes me feel like I'm in a tunnel.
AAErikCO 2 years ago
This is really a catching tune
payless1981 2 years ago
no problem : )
brasiliennr1 2 years ago
true but then some artist come and play their instruments and sing good songs again, so its not all bad...
brasiliennr1 2 years ago
Crude? From what I am hearing and seeing here ...
the only thing crude has nothing to do with Ms. Bessie Smith but with assassinating her character. Take that down ... whats wrong with you? Nice of you to mention her achievements down stream of your drivel.
wendelin1 2 years ago
Bessie Smith was indeed rough and crude. She lived what she sang. You clearly know little of the topic on which you speak. She was a human being. It isn't character assassination to present the truth. It is what it is. She was also perhaps the most influential Blues vocalist of the 20th century with an influence that trickled into almost every genre of American Popular music, her only equal being Louis Armstrong.
direfranchement 2 years ago 50
Well said!
AAErikCO 2 years ago
I don't think that Bessie Smith's style was rough or crude by any means. It was a technically refined and 'softer' version of Mamie Smith (and her Jazz Hounds). Now, Bessie's life-style was (for the lack of a better term) rough, but I like to avoid confusing the artist with their art. ;D
Sonoraman 2 years ago 3
@direfranchement She drank, and loved both sexes. What is so crude about that?
skyiscrying53 1 year ago 12
@direfranchement It's hard to believe this was recorded in 1927. I have heard Bessie Smith's music before. But usually her singing does not sound nearly so - flexible and evocative to me. (One of my favorites by her is "I want to be somebody's Baby Doll." Very evocative.) Every moment, every choice in improvisation was effective and touching. Maybe it's just my reaction to the song, which is one of my sentimental favorites. Lovely. Thanks.
gjford1951 1 year ago
@direfranchement . Interesting that you mention Louis Armstrong. To me Bessie's Smith's pure blues-belting lines sound very horn-like. No doubt she was was greatly influenced by Armstrong and the other great New Orleans trumpet/cornet players. Definitely a singer for the ages. I also recommend Fiona Apple's version of this tune. Although Fiona doesn't have Smith's pure pipes ( how many do?) her smokey-voiced deceptively simple rendition just oozes with pathos.
zalman595 1 year ago
@zalman595 Ms Apple's version lacks the raunch of the original but is still a beautiful rendition. I guess that means I agree with you LOL!
bobthewatchlizard 1 year ago
@direfranchement You are a honky asshole!!
wa1ufo 1 year ago
@direfranchement I agree w/ you. That statement about Ms Bessie Smith's character offended me as well. It was in very poor taste and inappropriate.
FashionedUp 1 year ago
@direfranchement I think edmundusrex just copied/pastes from Wiki.
ReCombs 1 year ago
Now THIS is music...not the crap we have now.
kellyb228 2 years ago 42
Here Here!
These here Talents were listening to of the 20's & 30's' had (REAL) talent, and the character to maintain the talent. Not the likes of Lilly Allen, Pixie Lot, and other crap boy bands of 2008-2009
cubanbrown 2 years ago 2
@kellyb228 Are you dumb? D:
We have great music, amazing D:
you're just generalizing, and believe me, I know some AMAZING modern music...
Homero4real 1 year ago
@kellyb228
This is FANTASTIC. But some music today is also FANTASTIC as well.
Yoseman1 4 months ago
Miss Smith had a lot to Sing about.
78timothy 2 years ago
Hmmm.....let's see....a black woman, living in earlier 1900's in the south ... lynchings of blacks, segregation, disrespected ... guess I'd be 'rough, crude, and violent' too, most likely.
bhinderbinder 2 years ago 6
who came up with the accusation that she was rough, crude, and violent?
Misconsuived 2 years ago
Comment removed
lilyvonschtuppp 2 years ago
Misconsuived - it isn't an accusation. Read Chris Albertson's biography "Bessie." Bessie Smith was probably the greatest singer of her time, but she had a reputation for drinking, performing drunk, beating and even shooting people who upset her. She once shot her husband after seeing him with another woman, and on another occasion, beat the "other woman" so badly that she was in the hospital for a week.
lilyvonschtuppp 2 years ago
This voice is unreal for her time. It's so bold. I love this performance.
Has anyone heard Juanita Hall's (that's right, Bloody Marry herself) performance of this song on her album "Juanita Hall Sings the Blues?" She does a good job, but no as good as this.
Awesome.
OldieMusicMan 2 years ago
Wow....as soon she starts singing, I'm welling up! What a gutsy singer.
crazypianolady 2 years ago
Its so amazing it gives me chilllsssss!
freedomlistener 2 years ago 5
Phenomenal voice, whew!
Scott89119 2 years ago
que viva Bessie y muchas gracias por esta maravillosa cancion.
quefarsa 2 years ago 3
Incredible!
SummerLemontree 2 years ago 5
She is singing from the heart you can tell.
mrgoodvibrations 2 years ago 8
So much expression, unbelievable. She is the Van Gogh of the blues.
BuckshotLaFunke 2 years ago 3
BESSIE SMITH
Born in Chattanooga, TN (April 15, 1894)
Died in Clarksdale, MS (September 26, 1937)
Bessie had 6 brothers and sisters
FATHER: William (Baptist preacher)
MOTHER: Laura
A little known fact about Bessie was that she was bisexual.
BlackPhenom7 2 years ago
Bessie was born in the segregated south. Both of her parents died by the time she was 9. Her older sister, Viola (who was a teenager and had a child of her own), raised Bessie after their parents died.
BlackPhenom7 2 years ago
Bessie has been known to be temperamental and free-spirited. She once punched a man who disrespected her. In retaliation, he stabbed her on her way home. Despite her wound, she chased him down!
BlackPhenom7 2 years ago 6
Now thats spunk!
mrgoodvibrations 2 years ago
In 1929, her life took a heartbreaking turn. Her husband left her and in an act of vindictiveness, took 2 of the most important people in her life away-----her adopted son and her niece. Her music career declined at the time, as well, so she sold bootlegged liquor to earn some extra money.
BlackPhenom7 2 years ago
That is so sad! Because of the skin of her color, they let her die!! She died so young jus as same with Billie Holiday!! She sangs like she"s from the church!!
jovta22 2 years ago
re: bessie's death. Please read the info provided by edmundusrex
CONSENT44 2 years ago
@jovta22 That is an untrue myth. Miss Smith was attended at the scene by a doctor who happened upon the accident on his way to a fishing trip with a friend, and taken to the closest hospital, where she died after her arm was amputated. Her injuries were so terrible and her blood loss so great, plus the hospitals in that time were not able to deal with the severe trauma of somoene who's arm was nearly torn off in a crash.
CaliTrisha 1 year ago
Early on the morning of September 26, Bessie, along with her current partner, Richard Morgan, were on their way to Mississippi after a performance in Memphis. Their vehicle crashed into a large truck parked on the shoulder of an unlit road. Morgan, survived. Smith sustained serious injuries to her arm and head. She died hours later.
BlackPhenom7 2 years ago
It's been said that Bessie's life could have been spared, but the first hospital she was rushed to would not admit her because she was Black. By the time she was taken to a hospital that would admit her, her injuries had worsened and she could not be saved.
BlackPhenom7 2 years ago
@BlackPhenom7 That is a myth. Miss Smith was attended by a doctor who happened upon the crash on his way to a fishing trip, and then taken to a hospital. There was a very good hospital for blacks in Clarksdale, which was the closest town to the crash. She died because of the trauma & blood loss, despite efforts to save her, which included amputating her arm.
CaliTrisha 1 year ago
I would call this a perfect utube post , thanks
cw12054 2 years ago
Thanks edmundusrex for putting all the info up about her life, I really learned something!
iluvtreefrogs 2 years ago
No subsequent recording of this Blues classic came within striking distance of the standard the Blues Empress set in 1927. It's flawless. The riffs she tosses out are scorching! She musically gave the world later giants like Mahalia Jackson, Big Mama Thornton, and Dinah Washington---she was the artistic mother of them all. Five stars for this recording one hundred times over, and thanks!
direfranchement 2 years ago 3
Thanks edmundusrex for putting this on youtube. The sound quality of this is rather unusual - on my computer it sounds like reverb was added and a stereo effect. What is this from ?
skullyj2002 2 years ago
Bessie pwns
gwoman23 2 years ago
sorry for you loss
strokedonce 2 years ago 4
Thank you x
zozoann 2 years ago 2
My friend killed herself 3 days ago, (she just turned 36 last week) Bessie always has the words! May the both of them RIPxx
zozoann 2 years ago 7
Great song and am sorry about your friend...tragic
nicksacop 2 years ago
Thank you so much for your kind message.
zozoann 2 years ago
thank you so much for uploading this wonderful piece of music!
MarionGir 2 years ago 3
A immaculate masterpiece!
romarius2005 2 years ago
WICKED! i am always so jealous if sy can express so many things with an instrument , or- especially with natural, human voice.. god!
guzsaj 2 years ago
thank ya me frient i nefffer hear this beffore an thought i hear all her shtuff luff this shkin . thanks you ----kilby----
hoagiesandi 2 years ago
Thank you and thank you YOUTUBE!!!! Brings back so many happy memories =)
zozoann 2 years ago
Bessie Smith and Martha Copeland were the two that were tops and broke the ice for all who followsed.......Gotta love 'em!
HarborGuy 2 years ago
I adore all Bessie smith's work, but this is arguably my favourite. It is exquisite.
Thank you for sharing.
Corrie121 2 years ago
Beautiful powerful voice. Thank you for posting =)
Ilove20s 2 years ago
love Bessie Smith she is a great idol to me her and Mary J. and Mahalia J.
MazieFlyy 3 years ago
this is what makes youtube great
tweetie35 3 years ago 11
Thank you, I am a fan - love Bessy !!
HarborGuy 3 years ago 2
In so many ways, YouTube is making my day! It's put at my disposal a library of diverse cultural greatness that my meager pocketbook could little afford. YouTube, thank you!
ccaammiiittoo 3 years ago 31
Wholeheartedly agree!
kwassagirl 3 years ago
Thank you!
ccaammiiittoo 3 years ago 2
great sentiment
alfcab 3 years ago 3
Thank you!
ccaammiiittoo 3 years ago 2
yeh I found so many greats I would never had heard of here on the Tube!
Leondale 3 years ago 3
Does anyone else find that whenever you listen to a song, you may enjoy it but always wish it was Bessie singing it?
Jairox99 3 years ago 3
Wow, what a huge voice. She was probably one of the best singers of the 20th century.
lucywhit 3 years ago 5
Wow, what a huge voice. I wish I had lived in 1927 so I could have heard her sing in a speakeasy.
lucywhit 3 years ago
Baby she CHURCHED this song! Now until now I didn't think anybody could TOUCH Judy Garland on this one (not even Al Jolson). Bessie Smith just sang the FOOL of this song. Can you imagine bein' her ex and hearin' this????
THERIGHTREVEREND 3 years ago 5
Magnificent.
misterdsen 3 years ago
talented and gifted singing. thank you.
DearHenryMusic 3 years ago
Phenomenal!
heeter71 3 years ago
Awesome song. Thanks for posting! 5*****
stacyblue1980 3 years ago