Search - La Vern Baker :: Sings Bessie Smith

An Undiscovered Treasure!

T. H VonZabern | Boston, MA, USA | 01/04/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"La Vern Baker, better known for 1950's popular songs belts out a tour de force revival of Bessie Smith Classics. She combines Bessie's warm tone with the passion and jazz know-how of Dinah Washington. The accompanying instrumentals are authentic and appropriate, and perfectly balanced with LaVern's powerful voice. Unlike so many albums, this one is all good. The only remaining mystery is, that LaVern is not better known today as a jazz/blues diva of the highest magnitude, fully entitled to her rightful place alongside Etta James, Dinah Washington, and of course, Bessie Smith."

The Queen of Rhythm and Blues

Scott T. Rivers | Los Angeles, CA USA | 08/29/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

""LaVern Baker Sings Bessie Smith" (1958) is a classic performance by one of the great R&B vocalists - not to mention a triumphant reinvention of the blues queen's music. Unfortunately, the album's critical praise did not translate into huge sales. One can only speculate what direction Baker's career might have taken had the Smith tribute succeeded on a commercial level."