BESSIE SMITH - The Complete Recordings Vol. 4 (1928-1931) 2CD (1993) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

The fourth of five volumes (the first four are two-CD sets) that reissue all of Bessie Smith's recordings traces her career from a period when her popularity was at its height down to just six songs away from the halt of her recording career. But although her commercial fortunes might have slipped, Bessie Smith never declined and these later recordings are consistently powerful. The two-part "Empty Bed Blues" and "Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out" (hers is the original version) are true classics and none of the other 40 songs (including the double-entendre "Kitchen Man") are throwaways. With strong accompaniment during some performances by trombonist Charlie Green, guitarist Eddie Lang, Clarence Williams's band and on ten songs (eight of which are duets) the masterful pianist James P. Johnson, this volume (as with the others) is quite essential.

Tracklist 1:

1. Standin' In The Rain Blues 2:56

2. It Won't Be You 2:49

3. Spider Man Blues 3:24

4. Empty Bed Blues (Part 1) 3:03

5. Empty Bed Blues (Part 2) 3:22

6. Put It Right Here (Or Keep It Out There) 3:00

7. Yes Indeed He Do! 3:17

8. Devil's Gonna Git You 3:12

9. You Ought To Be Ashamed 3:08

10. Washwoman's Blues 3:10

11. Slow And Easy Man 2:58

12. Poor Man's Blues 3:26

13. Please Help Me Get Him Out Of My Mind 2:58

14. Me And My Gin 2:52

15. I'm Wild About That Thing 2:50

16. You've Got To Give Me Some 2:44

17. Kitchen Man 2:58

18. I've Got What It Takes (But It Breaks My Heart To Give It Away) 3:11

19. Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out 3:00

20. Take It Right Back ('Cause I Don't Want It Here) 3:20

Tracklist 2:

1. He's Got Me Goin' 3:15

2. It Makes My Love Come Down 2:58

3. Wasted Life Blues 3:05

4. Dirty No-Gooder's Blues 3:00

5. Blue Spirit Blues 2:58

6. Worn Out Papa Blues 2:51

7. You Don't Understand 3:06

8. Don't Cry Baby 3:12

9. Keep It To Yourself 3:33

10. New Orleans Hop Scop Blues 2:59

11. See If I'll Care 3:26

12. Baby Have Pity On Me 3:21

13. On Revival Day (A Rhythmic Spiritual) 2:57

14. Moan, You Moaners 3:13

15. Hustlin' Dan 3:33

16. Black Mountain Blues 3:11

17. In The House Blues 3:02

18. Long Old Road 3:28

19. Blue Blues 3:15

20. Shipwreck 3:20

These recordings reaching from the height of Bessie Smith's fame into her decline in popularity are required listening, covering the years 1928 through 1931. Not only was her voice stronger than ever, but her control over the material was topnotch; she balanced on the fine line between seductive charm and overt sexuality with apparent ease. Some of her best material ever appears on volume 4 of this 5-volume set, including "Standin' in the Rain Blues," "Empty Bed Blues" (speaking of overtness...), "Devil's Gonna Git You," "I'm Wild About That Thing," "Blue Spirit Blues"... but it's useless to even try to list favorites. Smith's voice is so rich and expressive despite the primitive recording technology of the day, one can only imagine what it must have been like to hear her live. And trombonist Charlie Green and pianist James P. Johnson are featured prominently here as well. by Genevieve Williams