sung by Tennessee-born Bessie Smith, who died on this date in 1937 at 43 years of age. She was injured in a car crash on U.S. Route 61 between Memphis, Tennessee, and Clarksdale, Mississippi. The description at Wikipedia of the chain of events leading to Smith's death is horrifying. Her grave was unmarked until 1970.
Here's Empty Bed Blues from 1928:
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I never heard of her, but what a voice!
ReplyDeleteShe's fairly well-known here because of the city's blues history and her regional connections. She owned her era, no doubt about it.
DeleteI've actually heard of her because of a show I often watch called "Through the Decades." They did a feature on her once. I really enjoyed both these music videos. She actually looks too happy to be singing the blues!
ReplyDeleteShe had the voice, though, didn't she!
DeleteI think I had heard somewhere about her losing her arm and being refused at a white hospital and dying because of it. I haven't heard her sing very often. I more hear Billy Holiday, but I like to listen to both of them. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's been disproved that she was refused at the white hospital; she was never taken there. They are both worth listening to :)
DeleteWhat a wonderful voice! Thanks for sharing, Valerie
ReplyDeleteThat voice is priceless. I'm so glad there's audio of these singers.
DeleteThat was a grisly way to go. And a sad loss of talent. I have heard of her through Ken Burns Jazz and I have the music from that series. Hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteHaving cell phones makes everything faster. I wonder if she'd gotten to the hospital sooner they could've saved her, but someone had to walk to that house to place that call, and that took time she didn't have :(
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