Bessie Smith (Down Hearted Blues, 1923) Jazz Legend

[jahlaune]

I just learned that Alberta Hunter wrote the lyurics to this timeless song. The opening is the best to me 1923 or 2011 its all the same its hard to love someone who don't love you!

[Nick83115]

omg where has this been all my life!

[MoolahMoneyC]

Discussing that over-hyped screamer Janis Joplin on this song's comments does a huge disservice to the majesty of Bessie Smith. Respect the Empress and just enjoy.

[MrKoiking1]

i find it starge that modern music video's and songs have so many people hating on them, and things from the 1990's and before have none. it seems that about 15 years ago a bariier was put around music from that time and before that no hater can hear it. but not around new music. strange huh? i hate most modern music too

[Polarbeargirl345]

I think I was supposed to be born in the 1920s, I have always loved the music and fashion from that time

[animallover2047]

This is one of my favorite old-timey songs

[foxfirewalkingstick]

LTdrumma, you are obviously pissed at the younger generation for something. No one here is claiming to be special because of their age. It seems you conjured that notion all by yourself!

I think it's cool that someone so young can see past all the Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga trash and appreciate music from all time frames instead of just what is put in front of their faces.

[redsteal21]

Sounds Like Something From Fallout 3! :D

[MrKoiking1]

@redsteal21 it is thats why

[tonyboymagic12]

Love her-always will

[tdobson21]

This was Bessie's first recording & was written by another blues legend Alberta Hunter who recorded a live album "Live at the Cookery" when she was over 80 after dropping out of the entertainment world for 20+years to work as a nurse. I recommend "My Man is Such a Handy Man" live 1981! She is stunning!

[ceredigio]

I know this was recorded in 1923, but where was it recorded?

[LTdrumma]

do teenagers really think theyre special because they like older music? i mean first of all old music is not "better" than actual music, its just a matter of taste, and second of all, I been listening to robert johnson, billie holiday, and louis armstrong since i started llistening to music pretty much at 13 and i never thought i was special. my point is you are not THAT unique if you like this music and you are young, this is definately not old ppl musicyoudonotdistinctyourselff­romurgeneration

[simone10511]

tiene una voz impresionante, como me gusta



[mkworkman]

3:25 audio: Down Hearted Blues (1923); Clarence Williams on piano, vocals by Bessie Smith (April 15, 1894 – September 26, 1937).

[MZhilarity]

I LOVE it! I looked it up becuase I'm doing a project over her for school

[Broblem12]

Awesome!! What a voice and with what feeling she sang. Thank you for this. I'd call this soul music as well, even as it was far removed from the 60's. But I bet the soul singers knew her powerful work. :)

[totesme14]

For English we're doing a project where each person is supposed to act like someone from history, and I chose Bessie Smith. I'd never heard of her before, but now I think she's really cool.

[jessejazz55]

Gee, but it's hard to love someone when that someone don't love you!

[zozoann]

I was brought up to Bessie, she has just the most amazing voice EVER.

[sxserenade]

I can't believe this is the only video of this song on youtube! I thought several people would have posted it. Regarding the comment below, from the 14-year-old who loves this stuff - isn't it great how youtube and the internet make it so much easier for new generations to get exposed to such artists as Bessie Smith!? I'm 22 and have been listening to her since I was 15.

[darlingnikles]

Bessie's tombstone went unmarked until 1970, when none other than Janis herself purchased a headstone for it.

[SabbathJames]

I am Brazilian and I love Bessie Smith, his songs inspire me to create several songs. As well as influenced many composers who came afterwards. Fantastic, that voice! Passion and love can not go a day without hearing. Too bad the racism, put order in their lives and careers. Just love her!

[orvgg]

One of the greatest songs of all times. Bessie is a legend.

[paulwilsonmusician]

Actually I think you'll find The University of Aberdeen's Music Department confirm the recording was made in 1912

[dean2536]

@paulwilsonmusician

I thing it's quite impossible because that's(1912) before

Alberta Hunter compose this song.

[joneedy]

Isn't that the truth, it's really really hard to love someone when that someone doesn't love you especially when you've loved that someone for 47 years.

[Pink4ever232]

Good Good I don't really listen to jazz and blues and stuff, but i really liked this song!

[preeti951]

wtf

[mo1321]

Love <3

[ladidah9]

It's easy to see how much Janis Joplin was influenced by Bessie, on this recording especially.

The funny thing is, although Janis Joplin and Bessie Smith both died too young, their music still lives on, to this day unparallelled.

I'm fourteen, and I love this stuff. I have hope that the rest of my generation will see the light.

[viniceo]

goodamn!!! that's so amazing!!!i'm 18 and started hearing jazz and blues since 15....it's amazing how music can be so timeless and get to the heart of someone as young as you, i still got to know a lot about old real good quality music.....did u grow up listening to this kind of amazing stuff tell me ur story and jelp me find some other great songs!!!!

[stonemojo]

@ladidah9 .......go do it that's how Janis did it learned even touugh it wasn't poplular. Michael was 14 when finally found out that where he lived was one of the blues capitals

of the world he fell in love with the blues and becam one of the blues revivalists of his time.

[jtxhorns]

@ladidah9 rock on. its always good to pay respect to the ones who started and or greatly influenced recorded music.

[2agray]

@ladidah9 I guess I was your age when I was turned onto Bessie Smith finding a weatherbeaten copy of "Back Water Blues". Chris Albertson did a wonderful job on his books about her, however they are watered down a bit to not be so offensive. Bessie was a very powerful and strong woman with a voice that will never be repeated. We are lucky she came along when she did to caputre her voice on records. They did a beautiful job with restoring her recordings.

[2agray]

@ladidah9 It's amazing the quality. They tried to use the original masters and best quality 78's they could find for the missing masters. Even the original 78 of this was not this clear when it was new. And damn good for an accoustical recording. Bessie accoustical don't have that "horn" sound. This was a suprise runaway hit selling 850,00 copies in 6 weeks. Too bad Clarence Williams was lack luster. He was playing straight from the sheet music.

[2agray]

@ladidah9 But being her initial recording, Bessie didn't have the say so yet in chosing who would back her up. Still she puts Clarence to shame. And she damn near killed him too when she found out about the contract! LOL! He didn't play for her for a long time after that. He was scared to death of her. LOL! What's sad is her sister Viola had a whole trunk of Bessie's memorablilia and it just disappeared.

[noirpoetix1]

@2agray LOL I just read about that incident with the contract. For lack of better wording, Bessie kicked his ASS. LOL

[2agray]

@noirpoetix1 Oh I just fell in love when I got the final CD set with Ruby Walker's interviews. Chris Albert kind of toned down Ruby's quotes in his book so it wouldn't be too offensive to an audience. If you get a chance you need to get that CD and also read Chris' book, "Bessie." Chris is an awesome fellow too! I've had the pleasure talking to him a few times. Ruby really gives you the TRUTH about what life was like in the road with Bessie and Jack fighting and all the partying.

[SholaMind21]

@ladidah9 I'm 15 & I sure have :)

[BittenByMeFilmz]

@ladidah9 im there with ya dude 16 and still lissen to the good old music.

[searchoverload8]

@ladidah9 not everyone likes the same music. Some have taste for CCR, Def leppard, bon jovi, loverboy, streetheart, AC-DC, GNR, whitesnake, rush, zz top, and other rock bands. Some have taste for party music (not me). Some have taaste for this. Is there anything wrong with this? no. Do i enjoy listening to it? not really but it's okay. To say that anyone is living in the dark just because they don't like a certain style of music is biased and idiotic.

[searchoverload8]

@searchoverload8 *taste

[gazzbryant]

@ladidah9 I'm 15 and I'm with you all the way :) Real music...

[rockstaradela]

My favorite Bessie tune!

[paulwilsonmusician]

Can I just say you have the date of (1923) wrong it was recorded in 1912!

[silverlyra51]

I am doing a project on Bessie Smith and am listening to all her different songs, and I have to say, this song is by far he best!

[IndigoBassnote]

to Ignus2 the "roots of rock" can not be found on the INterNET  it happens in the hearts and hands of people who live it.

[peace4raissa]

her voice is exquisitely stunning

[jackio1995]

doing an assignment on her ! grr cant find any songs with scat singing :@

[Ignus2]

look for louis armstrong. I'm doing research on the roots of rock music, so I'm wandering the internet.

[guildjetstar]

sweet. very sweet, smooth and sad.

[colubao]

ditto. this song is the reason I'm in love with bessie.

[PianoPopular]

thanks for posting.