COMPLETE Bessie Smith on TEN LPs in 5 sets, Columbia vinyl 1970-1972 NM/NM
$
99
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Description
Here, on ten LPs, divided into five separate releases, are all the recordings made by Bessie Smith in her too-short musical lifetime, 1923-1931, plus, after her career was over, a belated 4 sides cut in 1933 under the production of John Hammond, who lived long enough to be executive producer on this reissue series (as well as recording seemingly everybody in between).
Of course it's an incredible listening experience of ten years in barrelhouse blues, always bringing the feel of a live on-stage performance without microphone, because she's the greatest of belters. But this is also a deep encyclopedia of jazz, as she invents aspects of jazz singing, and surrounds herself with groups you'll want to hear: Louis Armstrong, Fletcher Henderson, Clarence Williams, Jack Teagarden, Coleman Hawkins, even a young and barely audible Benny Goodman.
Her voice takes to vinyl as it took to shellac, and these all-analog transfers sound great. The liner notes, by Bessie Smith's biographer Chris Albertson, are very helpful and go deep into a perspective of her life and career.
The condition of these five set, in release order: THE WORLD'S GREATEST BLUES SINGER, NM/NM ANY WONAN'S BLUES, a little ringwear, toning in the inner hinge and dampmarks on the sleeve NM/NM EMPTY BED BLUES, side 4 has light surface noise, vinyl NM otherwise; a bit of ringwear on sleeve NM-/NM- THE EMPRESS, side 3 cut 1 has faint surface sound, a bit of ringwear on sleeve NM/NM NOBODY'S BLUES BUT MINE, side 4 inaudible paper scuffs NM/NM
Obviously even if you don't decide to buy this complete set, try to listen to some Bessie Smith the next time you think of her.
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