HOW MUSIC CHANGED, PART 10b – THE BLUES AND BESSIE SMITH

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We continue our coverage of Bessie Smith by looking at her early life and discussing how her raw talent provided the impetus to make her the most famous of all blues singers, the ‘Empress’ of the Blues. It also covers the time period when the blues grew to become the most famous and commercially viable style of its time. For comparison’s sake we also listen to a few of her contemporaries, including Ma Rainey, Ida Cox and Eva Taylor.

            Here’s a list of songs featured in today’s program. All are by Bessie Smith unless indicated otherwise;

1)    My Sweetie Went Away

2)    ‘Tain’t Nobody’s Business if I Do

3)    Weeping Willow Blues

4)    Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom – Ma Rainey

5)    Outside of That

6)    Wild Women Don’t Have the Blues – Ida Cox

7)    West End Blues – Eva Taylor

8)    Cemetery Blues

9)    Sinful Blues

10)  You’ve Been a Good Ole Wagon

11)  The St. Louis Blues