Bessie Smith, “The Essential Bessie Smith” (Sony, 1997; tracks recorded 1923-33)

Review:
Bessie Smith was crowned the Empress of the Blues, and, while this moniker was well deserved, she was much more. A prolific recording artist, Smith was quite an eclectic performer. In fact, she may have been one of the first true crossover artists. This neat two-disc set gives the listener a good sampling of her wide repertoire. Smith is backed up by some of the best jazz musicians of her era. Her rendition of "St Louis Blues" for example, features the horn work of a young Louis Armstrong. Smith was not above doing such suggestive material as "Kitchen Man" or "Need a Little Sugar in My Bowl" and could breath new life into a pop chestnut like "Alexander's Ragtime Band." And when Smith sang "Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out," she knew what she was talking about. The title of this album says it all.

Tracklist:
Disc 1:
Aggravatin' Papa
Baby Won't You Please Come Home
'Tain't Nobody's Bizness If I Do
Jail-House Blues
Graveyard Dream Blues (78rpm Version)
Ticket Agent, Ease Your Window Down
Boweavil Blues
Weeping Willow Blues
Dying Gambler's Blues
St. Louis Blues (78rpm Version)
You've Been A Good Ole Wagon
Cake Walkin' Babies From Home
Careless Love Blues (Alternate Take)
I Ain't Goin' To Play Second Fiddle
At The Christmas Ball
Jazzbo Brown From Memphis Town
Backwater Blues (78rpm Version)
After You've Gone

Disc 2:
Alexander's Ragtime Band
There'll Be A Hot Time In The Old Town Tonight
Trombone Cholly
Send Me To The 'Lectric Chair
A Good Man Is Hard To Find
Dyin' By The Hour
Me And My Gin
Kitchen Man (78 rpm Version)
Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out
On Revival Day (A Rhythmic Spiritual)
Moan, You Moaners
Black Mountain Blues
Shipwreck Blues
Need A Little Sugar In My Bowl
Do Your Duty
Gimme A Pigfoot And A Bottle of Beer
Take Me For A Buggy Ride
Down In The Dumps