Box Sets #10 - Bessie Smith the Complete Columbia Recordings

Originally released on CD between 1991 and 1996, these five volumes have now been gathered together as a 10 CD package covering Bessie Smith's recording career between 1923 and 1933.

Each volume comes in it's own gatefold sleeve and the accompanying booklets contain a wealth of information about the tracks, the artist and of course the superb musicians who accompanied her.







Because, of course, we don't just get Bessie Smith but a host of other wonderful artists including Louis Armstrong, Jack Teagarden, Eddie Lang, Clarence Williams, James P Johnson, Fletcher Henderson, Benny Goodman and many others. 

Blues and jazz purists have long debated into which category Bessie should fall. Some regard her as too bluesy for jazz and others as too jazzy for blues. My personal views are "What the f&%$".

If you have even a remote interest in jazz or blues, then you really should listen to Bessie. As an example, why not begin with her 1929 recording of the Ida Cox song 'Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out'. Smith demonstrates on this recording, if no other, just why she is one of the true great jazz vocalists. Listen to the way she manipulates her tone throughout the song. The line 'I carried my friends out for a good time' is belted out in true blues fashion but then suddenly on the words, 'bought bootleg liquor' her voice drops away leaving the words almost spoken.

If you just wish to dip your toe into her work, then perhaps this set is not for you. There are plenty of other less daunting compilations out there. However, I cannot fault this one for the quality of the sound, bearing in mind that the earliest of these recordings are now ninety years old. Nor can I fault the accompanying information. Furthermore, the final volume includes an hilarious interview with Bessie's niece, Ruby Smith.

In all honesty, considering the price of this box is well below £30 from most retail suppliers, I would say that if you have an interest in Bessie Smith (and why would you not?) then get this package and take your time working your way through it in small doses.

I suspect you will not be disappointed.

As a taster, here is a link to Bessie singing the aforementioned 'Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out'.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FX8ptPn3P9I