The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Blues Legend Bessie Smith's only film appearance (Uncut 1929)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTXBZFv ... xQ&index=8

This is a great film, we are fortunate to have this document of Bessie. I think she needs to have more recognition than she's got now. One explanation that makes sense is that she's too jazzy for blues fans and too bluesy for jazz fans. I don't care, she's one of my favourites.

I'm not much of a blues fan, although I do like some of her records, especially "Cake Walking Babies" and a few other more upbeat songs that she recorded. I have watched and enjoyed the film a few times. We are indeed fortunate to have it available.

Jim

Love me some Bessie Smith. Too bad I’ve only found one of her records out in the wild out here. And that was 8 years ago.

She was reissued in the Columbia "Hot Jazz Classics" series of albums, pressed from original metal parts. Sometimes you may find the individual records from those HJC albums floating about. I have found some, including Bessie Smith.

Another reason not to automatically dismiss those red label Columbias.

I remember that my late friend Jerry Donnell told me he sat on Bessies lap when he was a little boy.He was with his nurse,and Jerry was with her.She went backstage to talk to Bessie.edisonplayer