The Complete Recordings, Vol. 3 by Bessie Smith - DeepRiffs

COMPILATION

Volume 1

Volume 2

On the third of five volumes (the first four are double-CD box sets) that reissue all of her recordings, the great Bessie Smith is greatly assisted on some of the 38 selections by a few of her favorite sidemen: cornetist Joe Smith, trombonist Charlie Green, and clarinetist Buster Bailey. But the most important of her occasional musicians was pianist James P. Johnson, who makes his first appearance in 1927 and can be heard on four duets with Bessie, including the monumental "Backwater Blues." Other highlights of this highly recommended set (all five volumes are essential) include "After You've Gone," "Muddy Water," "There'll Be a Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight," "Trombone Cholly," "Send Me to the 'Lectric Chair," and "Mean Old Bed Bug Blues." The power and intensity of Bessie Smith's recordings should be considered required listening; even 80 years later they still communicate.
© Scott Yanow /TiVo

Volume 1

19. Backwater Blues

by Bessie Smith

Performer: Bessie Smith; Performer
Primary Artist: Bessie Smith; Main Performer
Piano: James Johnson
James P. Johnson; Performer
Vocals: Bessie Smith; Performer
Composer: Bessie Smith; Composer
Lyricist: Bessie Smith; Composer
Producer: Unknown; Production

11. Baby Doll

by Bessie Smith

Cornet: Joe Smith; Performer
Primary Artist: Bessie Smith; Main Performer
Performer: Bessie Smith; Performer
Piano: Fletcher Henderson; Performer
Vocals: Bessie Smith; Performer
Composer: H. Webman
Bessie Smith; Composer
Lyricist: Bessie Smith
H. Webman; Composer
Director: Gary Pacheco; Production
Executive Producer: Lawrence Cohn
Gary Pacheco; Production
Mastering Engineer: David Mitson; Production
Producer: Chris Albertson; Production

12. Hard Driving Papa

by Bessie Smith

Cornet: Joe Smith; Performer
Primary Artist: Bessie Smith; Main Performer
Performer: Bessie Smith; Performer
Piano: Fletcher Henderson; Performer
Vocals: Bessie Smith; Performer
Composer: G. Brooks; Composer
Lyricist: G. Brooks; Composer
Director: Gary Pacheco; Production
Executive Producer: Lawrence Cohn
Gary Pacheco; Production
Mastering Engineer: David Mitson; Production
Producer: Chris Albertson; Production

13. Lost Your Head Blues

by Bessie Smith

Cornet: Joe Smith; Performer
Primary Artist: Bessie Smith; Main Performer
Performer: Bessie Smith; Performer
Piano: Fletcher Henderson; Performer
Vocals: Bessie Smith; Performer
Composer: Bessie Smith; Composer
Lyricist: Bessie Smith; Composer
Director: Gary Pacheco; Production
Executive Producer: Lawrence Cohn
Gary Pacheco; Production
Mastering Engineer: David Mitson; Production
Producer: Chris Albertson; Production

1. Red Mountain Blues

by Bessie Smith

Clarinet: Don Redman; Performer
Primary Artist: Bessie Smith; Main Performer
Performer: Bessie Smith; Performer
Piano: Fletcher Henderson; Performer
Vocals: Bessie Smith; Performer
Composer: H. Troy; Composer
Lyricist: H. Troy; Composer
Director: Gary Pacheco; Production
Executive Producer: Lawrence Cohn
Gary Pacheco; Production
Mastering Engineer: David Mitson; Production
Producer: Chris Albertson; Production

5. Squeeze Me

by Bessie Smith

Primary Artist: Bessie Smith; Main Performer
Performer: Bessie Smith; Performer
Piano: Clarence Williams; Performer
Vocals: Bessie Smith; Performer
Composer: Clarence Williams
Fats Waller
C. Williams
T. Waller; Composer
Lyricist: Fats Waller
Clarence Williams
C. Williams
T. Waller; Composer
Director: Gary Pacheco; Production
Executive Producer: Lawrence Cohn
Gary Pacheco; Production
Mastering Engineer: David Mitson; Production
Producer: Chris Albertson; Production

6. What's the Matter Now

by Bessie Smith

Primary Artist: Bessie Smith; Main Performer
Performer: Bessie Smith; Performer
Piano: Clarence Williams; Performer
Vocals: Bessie Smith; Performer
Composer: S. Williams
Clarence Williams
C. Williams; Composer
Lyricist: Clarence Williams
S. Williams
C. Williams; Composer
Director: Gary Pacheco; Production
Executive Producer: Lawrence Cohn
Gary Pacheco; Production
Mastering Engineer: David Mitson; Production
Producer: Chris Albertson; Production

17. Young Woman's Blues

by Bessie Smith

Primary Artist: Bessie Smith; Main Performer
Clarinet: Buster Bailey; Performer
Cornet: Joe Smith; Performer
Performer: Bessie Smith; Performer
Piano: Fletcher Henderson; Performer
Vocals: Bessie Smith; Performer
Composer: Bessie Smith; Composer
Lyricist: Bessie Smith; Composer
Director: Gary Pacheco; Production
Executive Producer: Gary Pacheco
Lawrence Cohn; Production
Mastering Engineer: David Mitson; Production
Producer: Chris Albertson; Production

10. Money Blues

by Bessie Smith

Cornet: Joe Smith; Performer
Primary Artist: Bessie Smith; Main Performer
Performer: Bessie Smith; Performer
Piano: Fletcher Henderson; Performer
Vocals: Bessie Smith; Performer
Composer: H. Eller
D. Leader
Heller; Composer
Lyricist: D. Leader
H. Eller
Heller; Composer
Director: Gary Pacheco; Production
Executive Producer: Lawrence Cohn
Gary Pacheco; Production
Mastering Engineer: David Mitson; Production
Producer: Chris Albertson; Production

7. I Want Every Bit of It

by Bessie Smith

Primary Artist: Bessie Smith; Main Performer
Performer: Bessie Smith; Performer
Piano: Clarence Williams; Performer
Vocals: Bessie Smith; Performer
Composer: S. Williams
Clarence Williams
C. Williams; Composer
Lyricist: Clarence Williams
S. Williams
C. Williams; Composer
Director: Gary Pacheco; Production
Executive Producer: Lawrence Cohn
Gary Pacheco; Production
Mastering Engineer: David Mitson; Production
Producer: Chris Albertson; Production

14. Hard Time Blues

by Bessie Smith

Primary Artist: Bessie Smith; Main Performer
Performer: Bessie Smith; Performer
Piano: Fletcher Henderson; Performer
Vocals: Bessie Smith; Performer
Composer: Bessie Smith; Composer
Lyricist: Bessie Smith; Composer
Director: Gary Pacheco; Production
Executive Producer: Lawrence Cohn
Gary Pacheco; Production
Mastering Engineer: David Mitson; Production
Producer: Chris Albertson; Production

4. Them "Has Been" Blues

by Bessie Smith

Primary Artist: Bessie Smith; Main Performer
Performer: Bessie Smith; Performer
Piano: Clarence Williams; Performer
Vocals: Bessie Smith; Performer
Composer: W.e. Skidmore
M. Walker; Composer
Lyricist: M. Walker
W.e. Skidmore; Composer
Director: Gary Pacheco; Production
Executive Producer: Lawrence Cohn
Gary Pacheco; Production
Mastering Engineer: David Mitson; Production
Producer: Chris Albertson; Production

15. Honey Man Blues

by Bessie Smith

Primary Artist: Bessie Smith; Main Performer
Performer: Bessie Smith; Performer
Piano: Fletcher Henderson; Performer
Vocals: Bessie Smith; Performer
Composer: G. Brooks; Composer
Lyricist: G. Brooks; Composer
Director: Gary Pacheco; Production
Executive Producer: Lawrence Cohn
Gary Pacheco; Production
Mastering Engineer: David Mitson; Production
Producer: Chris Albertson; Production

16. One and Two Blues

by Bessie Smith

Primary Artist: Bessie Smith; Main Performer
Clarinet: Buster Bailey; Performer
Cornet: Joe Smith; Performer
Performer: Bessie Smith; Performer
Piano: Fletcher Henderson; Performer
Vocals: Bessie Smith; Performer
Composer: G. Brooks; Composer
Lyricist: G. Brooks; Composer
Director: Gary Pacheco; Production
Executive Producer: Gary Pacheco
Lawrence Cohn; Production
Mastering Engineer: David Mitson; Production
Producer: Chris Albertson; Production

2. Golden Rule Blues

by Bessie Smith

Primary Artist: Bessie Smith; Main Performer
Alto Saxophone: Don Redman; Performer
Performer: Bessie Smith; Performer
Piano: Fletcher Henderson; Performer
Vocals: Bessie Smith; Performer
Composer: Bessie Smith; Composer
Lyricist: Bessie Smith; Composer
Director: Gary Pacheco; Production
Executive Producer: Lawrence Cohn
Gary Pacheco; Production
Mastering Engineer: David Mitson; Production
Producer: Chris Albertson; Production

18. Preachin' the Blues

by Bessie Smith

Primary Artist: Bessie Smith; Main Performer
Performer: Bessie Smith; Performer
Piano: James Johnson; Performer
Vocals: Bessie Smith; Performer
Composer: Bessie Smith; Composer
Lyricist: Bessie Smith; Composer
Director: Gary Pacheco; Production
Executive Producer: Lawrence Cohn
Gary Pacheco; Production
Mastering Engineer: David Mitson; Production
Producer: Chris Albertson; Production

3. Lonesome Desert Blues

by Bessie Smith

Cornet: Shelton Hemphill; Performer
Primary Artist: Bessie Smith; Main Performer
Performer: Bessie Smith; Performer
Piano: Fred Longshaw; Performer
Vocals: Bessie Smith; Performer
Composer: Bessie Smith; Composer
Lyricist: Bessie Smith; Composer
Director: Gary Pacheco; Production
Executive Producer: Lawrence Cohn
Gary Pacheco; Production
Mastering Engineer: David Mitson; Production
Producer: Chris Albertson; Production

9. The Gin House Blues

by Bessie Smith

Clarinet: Buster Bailey; Performer
Primary Artist: Bessie Smith; Main Performer
Performer: Bessie Smith; Performer
Piano: Fletcher Henderson; Performer
Vocals: Bessie Smith; Performer
Composer: H. Troy
F. Henderson; Composer
Lyricist: F. Henderson
H. Troy; Composer
Director: Gary Pacheco; Production
Executive Producer: Gary Pacheco
Lawrence Cohn; Production
Mastering Engineer: David Mitson; Production
Producer: Chris Albertson; Production

21. Alexander's Ragtime Band

by Bessie Smith

Primary Artist: Bessie Smith; Main Performer
Banjo: Charlie Dixon; Performer
Clarinet: Coleman Hawkins; Performer
Cornet: Joe Smith; Performer
Performer: Bessie Smith; Performer
Piano: Fletcher Henderson; Performer
Trombone: Jimmy Harrison; Performer
Vocals: Bessie Smith; Performer
Composer: Irving Berlin
I. Berlin; Composer
Lyricist: Irving Berlin
I. Berlin; Composer
Director: Gary Pacheco; Production
Executive Producer: Gary Pacheco
Lawrence Cohn; Production
Mastering Engineer: David Miston
David Mitson; Production
Producer: Chris Albertson; Production

20. After You've Gone

by Bessie Smith

Primary Artist: Bessie Smith; Main Performer
Banjo: Charlie Dixon; Performer
Clarinet: Buster Bailey; Performer
Cornet: Joe Smith; Performer
Performer: Bessie Smith; Performer
Piano: Fletcher Henderson; Performer
Trombone: Jimmy Harrison; Performer
Vocals: Bessie Smith; Performer
Composer: T. Layton
H. Creamer; Composer
Lyricist: H. Creamer
T. Layton; Composer
Director: Gary Pacheco; Production
Executive Producer: Gary Pacheco
Lawrence Cohn; Production
Mastering Engineer: David Miston
David Mitson; Production
Producer: Chris Albertson; Production

8. Jazzbo Brown from Memphis Town (78rpm Version)

by Bessie Smith

Clarinet: Buster Bailey; Performer
Primary Artist: Bessie Smith; Main Performer
Performer: Bessie Smith; Performer
Piano: Fletcher Henderson; Performer
Vocals: Bessie Smith; Performer
Composer: G. Brooks; Composer
Lyricist: G. Brooks; Composer
Director: Gary Pacheco; Production
Executive Producer: Gary Pacheco
Lawrence Cohn; Production
Mastering Engineer: David Mitson
David Miston; Production
Producer: Chris Albertson; Production

Volume 2

10. A Good Man Is Hard to Find

by Bessie Smith

Primary Artist: Bessie Smith; Main Performer
Guitar: Lincoln Conaway; Performer
Performer: Bessie Smith; Performer
Piano: Porter Grainger; Performer
Vocals: Bessie Smith; Performer
Composer: E. Green; Composer
Lyricist: E. Green; Composer
Producer: Unknown; Production

14. Foolish Man Blues

by Bessie Smith

Cornet: Tom Ladnier; Performer
Primary Artist: Bessie Smith; Main Performer
Performer: Bessie Smith; Performer
Piano: Fletcher Henderson; Performer
Vocals: Bessie Smith; Performer
Composer: Bessie Smith; Composer
Lyricist: Bessie Smith; Composer
Director: Gary Pacheco; Production
Executive Producer: Lawrence Cohn
Gary Pacheco; Production
Mastering Engineer: David Mitson; Production
Producer: Chris Albertson; Production

1. Muddy Water (A Mississippi Moan)

by Bessie Smith And Her Band

Primary Artist: Bessie Smith; Main Performer
Clarinet: Buster Bailey
Coleman Hawkins; Performer
Cornet: Joe Smith; Performer
Performer: Bessie Smith And Her Band
Bessie Smith; Performer
Piano: Fletcher Henderson; Performer
Trombone: Jimmy Harrison; Performer
Vocals: Bessie Smith; Performer
Composer: P. Derose
J. Trent
H. Richman; Composer
Lyricist: J. Trent
H. Richman
P. Derose; Composer
Producer: Unknown; Production

9. Mean Old Bedbug Blues

by Bessie Smith

Primary Artist: Bessie Smith; Main Performer
Guitar: Porter Grainger
Lincoln Conaway; Performer
Performer: Bessie Smith; Performer
Vocals: Bessie Smith; Performer
Composer: L. Wood; Composer
Lyricist: L. Wood; Composer
Director: Gary Pacheco; Production
Executive Producer: Lawrence Cohn
Gary Pacheco; Production
Mastering Engineer: David Mitson; Production
Producer: Chris Albertson; Production

15. Thinking Blues

by Bessie Smith

Primary Artist: Bessie Smith; Main Performer
Cornet: Demas Dean; Performer
Performer: Bessie Smith; Performer
Piano: Fred Longshaw; Performer
Trombone: Charlie Green; Performer
Vocals: Bessie Smith; Performer
Composer: Bessie Smith; Composer
Lyricist: Bessie Smith; Composer
Director: Gary Pacheco; Production
Executive Producer: Gary Pacheco
Lawrence Cohn; Production
Mastering Engineer: David Mitson; Production
Producer: Chris Albertson; Production

13. Dyin' by the Hour

by Bessie Smith

Cornet: Tom Ladnier; Performer
Primary Artist: Bessie Smith; Main Performer
Performer: Bessie Smith; Performer
Piano: Fletcher Henderson; Performer
Vocals: Bessie Smith; Performer
Composer: G. Brooks; Composer
Lyricist: G. Brooks; Composer
Director: Gary Pacheco; Production
Executive Producer: Gary Pacheco
Lawrence Cohn; Production
Mastering Engineer: David Mitson
David Miston; Production
Producer: Chris Albertson; Production

17. I Used to Be Your Sweet Mama

by Bessie Smith

Primary Artist: Bessie Smith; Main Performer
Cornet: Demas Dean; Performer
Performer: Bessie Smith; Performer
Piano: Fred Longshaw; Performer
Trombone: Charlie Green; Performer
Vocals: Bessie Smith; Performer
Composer: L. Miller
F. Longshaw; Composer
Lyricist: F. Longshaw
L. Miller; Composer
Director: Gary Pacheco; Production
Executive Producer: Lawrence Cohn
Gary Pacheco; Production
Mastering Engineer: David Mitson; Production
Producer: Chris Albertson; Production

16. Pickpocket Blues

by Bessie Smith

Primary Artist: Bessie Smith; Main Performer
Cornet: Demas Dean; Performer
Performer: Bessie Smith; Performer
Piano: Fred Longshaw; Performer
Trombone: Charlie Green; Performer
Vocals: Bessie Smith; Performer
Composer: Bessie Smith; Composer
Lyricist: Bessie Smith; Composer
Director: Gary Pacheco; Production
Executive Producer: Gary Pacheco
Lawrence Cohn; Production
Mastering Engineer: David Mitson; Production
Producer: Chris Albertson; Production

5. Them's Graveyard Words

by Bessie Smith

Primary Artist: Bessie Smith; Main Performer
Cornet: Joe Smith; Performer
Performer: Bessie Smith; Performer
Piano: Fletcher Henderson; Performer
Trombone: Charlie Green; Performer
Vocals: Bessie Smith; Performer
Composer: G. Johnson; Composer
Lyricist: G. Johnson; Composer
Director: Gary Pacheco; Production
Executive Producer: Gary Pacheco
Lawrence Cohn; Production
Mastering Engineer: David Mitson; Production
Producer: Chris Albertson; Production

2. There'll Be a Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight

by Bessie Smith

Primary Artist: Bessie Smith; Main Performer
Banjo: Charlie Dixon; Performer
Clarinet: Buster Bailey; Performer
Cornet: Joe Smith; Performer
Performer: Bessie Smith; Performer
Piano: Fletcher Henderson; Performer
Trombone: Jimmy Harrison; Performer
Vocals: Bessie Smith; Performer
Composer: T. Metz
J. Hayden; Composer
Lyricist: J. Hayden
T. Metz; Composer
Director: Gary Pacheco; Production
Executive Producer: Gary Pacheco
Lawrence Cohn; Production
Mastering Engineer: David Miston
David Mitson; Production
Producer: Chris Albertson; Production

3. Trombone Cholly

by Bessie Smith

Primary Artist: Bessie Smith; Main Performer
Cornet: Joe Smith; Performer
Performer: Bessie Smith; Performer
Piano: Fletcher Henderson; Performer
Trombone: Charlie Green; Performer
Vocals: Bessie Smith; Performer
Composer: G. Brooks
G. Johnson; Composer
Lyricist: G. Johnson
G. Brooks; Composer
Director: Gary Pacheco; Production
Executive Producer: Gary Pacheco
Lawrence Cohn; Production
Mastering Engineer: David Miston
David Mitson; Production
Producer: Chris Albertson; Production

4. Send Me to the 'Lectric Chair

by Bessie Smith

Cornet: Joe Smith; Performer
Primary Artist: Bessie Smith; Main Performer
Performer: Bessie Smith; Performer
Piano: Fletcher Henderson; Performer
Trombone: Charlie Green; Performer
Vocals: Bessie Smith; Performer
Composer: G. Brooks; Composer
Lyricist: G. Brooks; Composer
Producer: Unknown; Production

6. Hot Springs Blues

by Bessie Smith

Primary Artist: Bessie Smith; Main Performer
Cornet: Joe Smith; Performer
Performer: Bessie Smith; Performer
Piano: Fletcher Henderson; Performer
Trombone: Charlie Green; Performer
Vocals: Bessie Smith; Performer
Composer: Bessie Smith; Composer
Lyricist: Bessie Smith; Composer
Director: Gary Pacheco; Production
Executive Producer: Gary Pacheco
Lawrence Cohn; Production
Mastering Engineer: David Mitson; Production
Producer: Chris Albertson; Production

7. Sweet Mistreater

by Bessie Smith

Primary Artist: Bessie Smith; Main Performer
Performer: Bessie Smith; Performer
Piano: James P. Johnson; Performer
Vocals: Bessie Smith; Performer
Composer: Janice Johnson
H. Creamer
J. Johnson; Composer
Lyricist: H. Creamer
Janice Johnson
J. Johnson; Composer
Director: Gary Pacheco; Production
Executive Producer: Lawrence Cohn
Gary Pacheco; Production
Mastering Engineer: David Mitson; Production
Producer: Chris Albertson; Production

11. Homeless Blues

by Bessie Smith

Primary Artist: Bessie Smith; Main Performer
Alto Saxophone: Ernest Elliott; Performer
Performer: Bessie Smith; Performer
Piano: Porter Grainger; Performer
Vocals: Bessie Smith; Performer
Composer: Percy Grainger
P. Grainger; Composer
Lyricist: Percy Grainger
P. Grainger; Composer
Director: Gary Pacheco; Production
Executive Producer: Lawrence Cohn
Gary Pacheco; Production
Mastering Engineer: David Mitson; Production
Producer: Chris Albertson; Production

12. Looking for My Man Blues

by Bessie Smith

Primary Artist: Bessie Smith; Main Performer
Alto Saxophone: Ernest Elliott; Performer
Performer: Bessie Smith; Performer
Piano: Porter Grainger; Performer
Vocals: Bessie Smith; Performer
Composer: Bessie Smith
Unknown; Composer
Lyricist: Bessie Smith
Unknown; Composer
Director: Gary Pacheco; Production
Executive Producer: Lawrence Cohn
Gary Pacheco; Production
Mastering Engineer: David Mitson; Production
Producer: Chris Albertson; Production

18. I'd Rather Be Dead and Buried in My Grave

by Bessie Smith

Clarinet: Bob Fuller
Ernest Elliott; Performer
Primary Artist: Bessie Smith; Main Performer
Performer: Bessie Smith; Performer
Piano: Porter Grainger; Performer
Vocals: Bessie Smith; Performer
Composer: P. Fuller; Composer
Lyricist: P. Fuller; Composer
Director: Gary Pacheco; Production
Executive Producer: Gary Pacheco
Lawrence Cohn; Production
Mastering Engineer: David Mitson; Production
Producer: Chris Albertson; Production

8. Lock and Key

by Bessie Smith

Primary Artist: Bessie Smith; Main Performer
Performer: Bessie Smith; Performer
Piano: James P. Johnson; Performer
Vocals: Bessie Smith; Performer
Composer: Janice Johnson
H. Creamer
J. Johnson; Composer
Lyricist: H. Creamer
Janice Johnson
J. Johnson; Composer
Director: Gary Pacheco; Production
Executive Producer: Lawrence Cohn
Gary Pacheco; Production
Mastering Engineer: David Mitson; Production
Producer: Chris Albertson; Production

Technical Specifications

Volume

2 volumes in total

Tracks

39 tracks available

Type

COMPILATION

Format

Digital Media

Duration

1 hour, 58 minutes and 37 seconds

Explicit

None

Coverart

Available and up to 1500x1500 px

Booklet

Not available

Max Quality

CD Quality (Lossless)

16bit / 44.1 kHz

Stereo

Audio Extension

Lossless: FLAC, M4A, WAV, WV, AIFF

Lossy: AAC, MP3, M4A, MP4, OGA, OGG, OPUS, WMA

Archive Format

Available in these formats: ZIP, TAR, RAR

Lyrics

All tracks have lyrics

Synchronized Lyrics

13/39 tracks have synced lyrics

Genres

Blues, Jazz, Chicago Blues, Trad Jazz, Classic Female Blues

Label

Legacy - Columbia

Music Distribution Service

Sony

Country

United States

Language

English (United States)

Popularity

Release Date

Oct 22, 1992

Track Preview

Available

Delivery Charge

Free

Delivery Method

Digital download link via Email or Personal Dashboard on this site

UPC

74644747423