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Bessie Smith - Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues
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Bessie Smith - Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues

Facts

Artist(s)Bessie Smith
StudioSony
Release DateSeptember 9, 2003
UPC Code827969049327
 

About Bessie Smith - Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues

Full title - Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues. From the PBS series produced by filmmaker Martin Scorsese, this release features 15 tracks including 'A Good Man Is Hard To Find' & 'Careless Love'. Sony. 2003. Album Description

Tracks

  1. A Good Man Is Hard To Find
  2. I Ain't Goin' To Play No Second Fiddle
  3. Me And My Gin
  4. Muddy Water (A Mississippi Moan)
  5. The St. Louis Blues
  6. 'Tain't Nobody's Bizness If I Do
  7. Careless Love
  8. The Yellow Dog Blues
  9. Need A Little Sugar In My Bowl
  10. Down Hearted Blues
  11. Nobody Knows When You're Down And Out
  12. On Revival Day (A Rhythmic Spiritual)
  13. Send Me To The 'Lectric Chair
  14. Gimme A Pigfoot And A Bottle Of Beer
  15. Back Water Blues

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Martin Scorsese Presents the Blues: J.B. LenoirMartin Scorsese Presents The BluesMartin Scorsese Presents the Blues: Stevie Ray VaughanMartin Scorsese Presents The Blues: Allman BrothersMartin Scorsese Presents the Blues: Eric Clapton

 

User Reviews

Average user review: 4.5 (3 reviews)

rating: 5 QuoteBeautiful collection of songsQuote
It is nice that the blues and jazz giants of the past occasionally recieve their due. This lovely compilation, richly illustrated and quite informative (particularly for the beginners), probably helped to spread the word around and, from what I can judge, the selection of songs is excellent.
Jazz fans will perhaps find particularly interesting Bessie's 1925 performances with Louis Armstrong on cornet , Charlie Green on trombone and Fred Longshaw on the piano ("I Ain't Goin' To Play No Second Fiddle" and "Careless Love"), while on "St. Louis Blues" Bessie and Satchmo are joined only by Longshaw on organ. However, several other songs also boast with fine accompanists in various combinations (James P. Johnson, Clarence Williams and Fletcher Henderson on piano, Joe Smith and Ed Allen on cornet, Frankie Newton on trumpet, Charlie Green and Jack Teagarden on trombones...). But it is Bessie's performance that really shines; whether she sings the blues or inferior pop material, she gives it a strong emotional content, rhythmical strengthe and, well, the feeling of blues AND jazz...
If you still don't know why she was so highly revered and influential (great Billie Holiday, for instance, shows more than a hint of Bessie...) this tastefully packaged CD is a great way to start digging for the answer...
Oh yes, and for an interesting take on Bessie's musical legacy see an interesting Dinah Washington's album: Dinah Washington Sings Bessie Smith February 4, 2007

rating: 5 QuoteLike fine wine...Quote
A timeless blessing, Bessie Smith is one of the few artists (along with Dylan, Elvis, Aretha Franklin, the white album era Beatles) that deserves a Greil Marcus rave review, and Scorcese's selections are a wonderful intro. On the other hand, how could he go wrong? December 5, 2006

rating: 4 Quotegood introductionQuote
not an expert on the blues, but after hearing a little bit of bessie, you might want to go ahead and buy a bigger compilation. i recommend playing it in the other room, sounds better. June 16, 2004

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