Search - Bessie Smith :: Complete Recordings, Volume 3

The Definitive Set

heinzmickrad | Karlsruhe Deutschland | 07/06/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The set on Frog records is the definitive reissue of Bessie Smith's entire legacy. It uses restoration work by the late John R.T. Davies, who died just after volume 8 was issued. I know that this was a project very dear to his heart, so it stands as a monument to the man. This particular volume includes a wonderful rarity in the shape of "Squeeze Me", which has been unissued for about 70 years. The earlier sides have Louis Armstrong among the accompanists. While this set might be pricy, particularly in the US, it is the best to date and unlikely to be surpassed for years to come. Oh, and if you must hear "Wasted Life Blues" for free, it's on a site called "Red Hot Jazz". But if you want to do your ears a treat, the Frog CDs are the ones to get."