Editorial Review

Bessie Smith was crowned the Empress of the Blues, and, while this moniker was well deserved, she was much more. A prolific recording artist, Smith was quite an eclectic performer. In fact, she may have been one of the first true crossover artists. This neat two-disc set gives the listener a good sampling of her wide repertoire. Smith is backed up by some of the best jazz musicians of her era. Her rendition of "St Louis Blues" for example, features the horn work of a young Louis Armstrong. Smith was not above doing such suggestive material as "Kitchen Man" or "Need a Little Sugar in My Bowl" and could breath new life into a pop chestnut like "Alexander's Ragtime Band." And when Smith sang "Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out," she knew what she was talking about. The title of this album says it all. Read more

Reviews (9)

WHEN THE EMPRESS STRUTTED HER STUFF
What this writer would not have given to be able to see Bessie Smith in her prime and in her glory. Bessie is an acquired taste. By that I mean that when listening to her recordings, especially if done in chronological order as here, it takes time until you are emerged in the music. Then you do not want to turn the damn thing off.
Bessie Smith
BESSIE SMITH is undoubtedly the Great Godmother of Blues and was a legend in her own time. Her influence was seen in many singers who followed, including Janis Joplin her often referred to Bessie as being her primary inspiration. Supposedly Bessie was the inspiration for the character "Shug Avery" in one of America's most important films, The Color Purple. Bessie Smith's original recordings were produced on so-called "Race Records," marketed for the segregated African-American community (they were considered too sexual for the likes of lily white listeners.) Bessie made a few early rather regrettable "videos" of her songs; her attempts at a breakthrough into movies were equally unfortunate. She had no dramatic training and the studios only saw her cast as the perennial docile or happy-go-lucky black maid-and Bessie wasn't having any of that.
Sugar in my bowl
Bessie Smith had one of the most powerfull, expressive and recognizable voices of the 20th Century. Her talent as a vocalist in the studio, as well as her stage performance made her a star that changed the way of music forever. This collection of 36 Bessie's classic recordings is simply one of the best, and most comprehensive collections of her work. It is, as other reviewers said, surely missing a handful of records that could also be considered Essential, but this collection never-the-less, hits the spot for any casucal fan or even the most avid devourer of Bessie Smith's music. The 2 Disc set is Essential Bessie, and also, Essential - period.
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Subjects:  1. Blues    2. Blues Music    3. Blues Traditional    4. Classic Female Blues    5. Classic Jazz    6. New Orleans/Classic Jazz    7. Pop    8. Trad Jazz    9. Vocals   

Reviews (6)

the earlier years....
This cd is a nice introduction to the earlier years of these Great Ladies of Song! Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Lena Horne, Sarah Vaughan.

Only for oldies, and old noises
This CD is a good mix of the great ladies of jazz; however the master is the original, without any ounce of technology. I have heard new compilations, and they modify the sound, for hearing as new record, not as a phone call.
FOUR QUEENS SING TIMELESS FIVE STAR CLASSICS !!
Five Tremendous Stars!! Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Lena Horne, and Sarah Vaughan!! Four of the best singers "there ever was" sing truly classic songs from early in their careers. This sampler 'freeze-frames' the careers of these tremendous singers at a crucial time when they were the rage of the jazz world, in a jazz constellation that included many other fabulous singers like Anita O'Day and Carmen McRae.
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Subjects:  1. 30's    2. 40's    3. 50's    4. Ballads    5. Big Band    6. Bop    7. Classic Female Blues    8. Cool    9. Jazz    10. Jazz Collections    11. Jazz Music    12. Mainstream Jazz    13. Pop    14. Standards    15. Swing    16. Traditional Pop    17. Vocal    18. Vocal Jazz   

Editorial Review

The real mystery is why it took so long for Etta James to win a Grammy. But this great American vocalist claimed her first statue by paying tribute to another grand singer. James's versions of Billie Holiday-identified tunes like "Don't Explain," "You've Changed," "Lover Man," and "The Man I Love" are the best readings of Lady Day's signatures in a generation. Pianist Cedar Walton leads the seven-piece band in spare and graceful arrangements faithful to the mainstream jazz sound of the '40s and '50s, which gives James ample room to exercise her soaring range and deliver a dazzling, seductive, and warm tour de force. Read more

Reviews (16)

Wonderful, Simply Wonderful
I was surprised that I would love this CD so much because I had heard of Etta James but I didn't know to much about her or her music (she was a little before my time).I have to say this CD is timeless.I love the words of the songs and the richness of her voice.Etta truly makes me wish I could have been around to hear Billie do the honors herself.

The only woman to do Lady Day some justice...
'Ya heard?I'm'a make this as short as possible.Etta James has one'a the mos' passionate an' wrenching voices in all blues n' soul music an' when she takes on THESE numbers, you hear that an' them some.As a big fan'a Billie Holiday not many singer could give much credibility to performin' the songs that she made famous.But this jus' works.Ms. James, rather than adopting the ballads with her own style, jus' adopted a DIFFERENT style than she normally does so that she can sing 'The Man I Love', 'Embraceable You', an' 'The Very Thought of You' with all the relaxed subtlety that Lady Day did.With a nice jazz backing section, she lays the loveliness on thick.Strictly fans'a her work only may not be as enthralled by this set, but if your musical tastes cover the whole spectrum from blues to soul to this ol' traditional-style jazz, then definitely check this out.This is one'a the most earnest, sincere, an' well-done tribute albums of all time.Ms. Billie would be proud.

A jazz legend paying tribute to another jazz legend..
Etta james finally wonaGrammy for this album which is shocking cause hello she's etta james what in the world took the grammy's so long...Read more

Subjects:  1. Blues    2. Blues Music    3. Pop    4. Soul-Blues   

Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (4)

The Genius Of Schizophrenia...Music For Saints & Sinners Indeed
Was she a Gospel singer or a precursor of Rock and Roll? The elements of blues and swing are all here as is straight ahead heartfelt soul..The exuberance of spirit radiates throughout.
A fine single disc samper of thsi faithful woman of God
Sister Rosetta Tharpe truly had a calling(a Gift) from God, and she submitted to it perfectly(Glory to God!).Tharpe sang the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but in a style where she blended marvelously Gospel music with jazz, swing, and blues.Tharpe touched many lives, including those of G.I.'s in the war, via radio broadcasts.Tharpe not only sang with passion and swing, and with a clear dicty voice, but with soul, and conviction!She also happens to be one of the greatest jazz guitar players of all time, always incorperating creative and swinging jazz guitar solos, into every piece she recorded.A great single disc cd that will proove that Tharpe was one of the finest jazz based gosel singers of all time, and certianly a jazz guitarist on the same level as Charlie Christianson.

Exellent r&b music, with a Gospel aftertaste
Although on the cover of this cd, Sister Rosetta Tharpe looks pecularly like Alberta Hunter, but don't let that fool you.This cd is a great one, if you like early wailin' r&b, or swing tinged Gospel.I mean you can jitterbug or lindy hop to most of thsi stuff, and the rest is greta for listening.Christian music today is so commercial souning and pop sounding, back in the 40's, Tharpe made it swing, jump, stomp and wail, adding r&b, and her genious jazz guitar riffs, rock and roll like mad.Her voice is heavenly and if you like r&b divas liek Helen Humes, you'll love Sister Tharpe's unique and always jiving style.Read more

Subjects:  1. Acoustic Blues    2. Black Gospel    3. Blues    4. Blues Gospel    5. Blues Music    6. Classic Female Blues    7. Gospel    8. Jump Blues    9. Pop    10. R&B    11. Spirituals   

Features

• Box set

Reviews (2)

If you have the music, he has the words
Among Johnny Mercer's greatest songs are: "P.S. I Love You" (1934, Gordon Jenkins), "Goody Goody" (1936, Matt Melneck), "I'm An Old Cowhand" (1936, words and music), "Bob White (Whatcha Gonna Swing Tonight?)" (1937, Bernie Hanighen), "Too Marvelous For Words" (1937, Richard Whiting), "Jeepers Creepers" (1938, Harry Warren), "Hooray For Hollywood" (1938, Richard Whiting), "Day In--Day Out" (1939, Rube Bloom), "I Thought About You" (1939, Jimmy Van Heusen), "Fools Rush In" (1940, Rube Bloom), "Blues In The Night" (1941, Harold Arlen), "Skylark" (1941, Hoagy Carmichael), "I Remember You" (1942, Victor Schertzinger), "I'm Old Fashioned" (1942, Jerome Kern), "That Old Black Magic"(1942, Harold Arlen), "Hit The Road To Dreamland" (1942, Harold Arlen), "My Shining Hour" (1943, Harold Arlen), "One For My Baby" (1943, Harold Arlen), "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive" (1944, Harold Arlen), "Let's Take The Long Way Home"(1944, Harold Arlen), "G.I. Jive" (1944, words and music), "Laura" (1945, David Raskin), "Out Of This World" (1945, Harold Arlen), "Early Autumn" (1949, Woody Herman and Ralph Burns), "Autumn Leaves" (1950, English version of a French song, music by Joseph Kozma), "Here's To My Lady" (1951, Rube Bloom), "Something's Gotta Give" (1955, words and music), "Satin Doll" (1958, Duke Ellington), "Charade" (1963, Henry Mancini), "Summer Wind" (1965, Henry Mayer), and "How Do You Say Aug Wiedersehn?" (1967, Tony Scibetta).
Timeless
Johnny Mercer's songs are better today than yesterday...any serious songwriter should study his work.This is a wonderful compilation of material that does justice to some of his best songs. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ballads    2. Big Band    3. Bop    4. Bossa Nova    5. Classic Female Blues    6. Classic Jazz    7. Cool    8. Dixieland    9. Fusion    10. Hard Bop    11. Jazz    12. Jazz Collections    13. Jazz Music    14. Jazz-Pop    15. Jump Blues    16. Mainstream Jazz    17. Modern Big Band    18. Pop    19. Post-Bop    20. Progressive Big Band   

Reviews (5)

Absolutely fantastic!
Irma Thomas has the strongest and most mucley voice I have ever heard.Time Is On My Side shows off all the beautiful qualities of her voice - she sings with such heart.In my opinion, she is the best Soul singer that I've ever heard.This album would have to be one of my most favourites.You'll love it!!!

Soul Sweetie
This is the only Irma Thomas album that I have bought. My favorites are song: 4. Times Have Changed, 6. It's Raining, 7. Somebody Told You, and 13. Ruler Of my Heart. Time is on my side is also a good song, better than the Rolling Stones cover.

The best of the best
This is absolutely the first Irma Thomas collection I'd buy...I agree with the reviewer who says it has the highest concentration of great early songs.
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Subjects:  1. New Orleans R&B    2. Pop    3. R&B    4. Rock    5. Soul    6. Soul/R & B    7. World Music   

Reviews (4)

Best of Roulette IsNot Very Best
I wondered why during Dinah's contract to Roulette Records they didn't saw fit to record her in something besides an orchestra or violin strings?I own many of Dinah's stuff (on both CDs and records), and to say the least, this woman is TALENTED.But it's frustrating to hear her in nothing short of constant repetition on this "Best of" collection.Roulette is generous including a whopping 23 tracks on this set, but most of them are the same arrangement and accompaniment.Couldn't they be more creative in the arrangements for Dinah?The best tracks here are taken from her outstanding "Back to the Blues" CD when she sang in a bluesy, gospel-inflected manner, the style that got her the most attention when she started out as a singer.Unfortunately with the pop success that came to Dinah, she repeated the same formula, and most of that is reflected here, track after track of endless strings and unimaginative big band charts.I would recommend bypassing this collection and getting the outstanding "Back to the Blues" set that is also available on Amazon.Dinah's singing there is inspired and blues-singing at its best.

The Best Of Dinah Washington (The Roulette Years)
The quintessential blues singer of our times!For anyone who's ever had abad day just listen to her and she'll brighten your day.This album inparticular captures her essence.Her vocal power and range rivals that ofBillie Holliday and Ella Fitzgerald.For any BLUES fan this album is amust.

Classy and Timeless
her voice is one of a kind.this set showcases her talent.the band the arrangements are top form.her voice is Rich&timeless.she is one of the Greatest female singers ever.you feel the texture of her voice. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ballads    2. Classic Female Blues    3. Jazz    4. Jazz Music    5. Jazz Vocals    6. Pop    7. Standards    8. Traditional Pop    9. Vocal Jazz   

Reviews (8)

Must Have CD
Before buying this CD, I knew Dinah Washington best for her couple of top 10 hits such as What A Difference A Day Made and This Bitter Earth, and for her duets with Brook Benton.As this CD proves, there is so much more to her, and her 50s recordings found here show that she ranks among the blues, jazz and R&B greats.She gets some fine smokey arrangements as well on many of the cuts, with players such as Jimmy Cleveland and Wynton Kelly.Only one song here doesn't work for me and it's one I'd thought would be a killer, I've Got You Under My Skin.Powerful as the whole CD is, I think it peaks at the end, beginning with the Birth of the Blues/Don't Hurt Any More.This CD is for anyone with an interest in the history of mid-20th century jazz and blues and it's a just tribute to a wonderful singer.

Somebody Do A Movie On This Woman...
...maybe it will wake my generation up to respect this woman. Her music and life is truly a discovery of wonder, love, comedy, and heartaches. If you thought Whitney's life is a mess, you need to research Dinah's. At least Dinah had fun, right? The one thing I can say about Dinah is that all her trials, happiness and misfortunate she always put them into her songs. This woman was not shy about being real when it came to her music and it didn't matter whether it was pop, jazz, blues or r&b. And unlike Whitney and today's singers, she was a TRUE professional singer. She never allowed her personal problems to affect her music. I wish somebody will do a movie about her life and get Jill Scott to play her. Until then, I will continue to listen to this woman's amazing music and dreaming of the day that she gets some respect. If you are new to Dinah, this is the collection you need to start with.

Classy
Dinah Washington is truly a Singer's Singer.She understood the power of Lyrics&the Importance of allowing the feeling&emotions come through.She is a Great Stylish Artist who had no limits.Her take on "I've got you under my skin" alone is worth the full Price to Me overall.She knew how to Swing&Connect with Her Music. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ballads    2. Classic Female Blues    3. Jazz    4. Jazz Music    5. Jazz Vocals    6. Pop    7. Standards    8. Traditional Pop    9. United States of America    10. Vocal Jazz   

Features

• Original recording reissued
• Original recording remastered

Reviews (7)

Lord Have Mercy
Tell me mamma... I love this CD.I think it should come with a warning label."Caution:You will wake up the neighbors".Buy it.I can't play it quiet... I can't not sing along with it... I can't stop dancing when it is on.

A wonderful, varied soul record
More soul than blues, Etta James' "Tell Mama" originally came out in 1968 as a twelve-track LP. And here it is in its remastered 2001 incarnation, bolstered by no fewer than ten bonus tracks which earns the reissue the subtitle "The Complete Muscle Shoals Sessions".
What a re-issue should be!
In addition to the 12 re-mastered original tracks, there are 10 more (including 2 versions of "Do Right Woman, Do Right Man").There are some good songs here that are not included on either "Her Best" or "The Chess Box", including "Watch Dog", "My Mother In Law", "It Hurts Me So Much", "I've Gone Too Far", and her funked-out Soulful rendition of "I Got You Babe".This is a must-have for Etta fans.
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Subjects:  1. Blues    2. Blues Music    3. Classic Female Blues    4. Pop    5. R&B    6. Soul    7. Soul-Blues   

Reviews (2)

Unique- cannot be categorized!
This CD has a wide range of musical styles, collected from rare recordings from the 20's to the 50's; most of the recording seem to come from a gospel/blues tradition, but each is unique in it's own way...
an amazing CD that i listen to all year long!
this is quite possibly the best CD i have ever heard in my life.i absolutely treasure the music and am so thankful that the guys at dust-to-digital thought to put this compilation together.it is not "christian" necessarily, even though it is a christmas album (when you hear "christmas in jail" and "papa ain't no santa claus" you'll see what i mean) so don't think that it is only for those whose taste runs to the religious.the music represents the soul, the backbone, and the seed of just about all american music (except perhaps techno...).a must own for any lover of folk, country, rock, blues, soul, gospel, and even funk music.this is the best of the best--you will not be disappointed! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christmas / Chanukkah    2. Classic Female Blues    3. Classic Jazz    4. Pop    5. Xmas Vocal Collections   

Editorial Review

You can't have too much Etta James. Really. This long-overdue collection of the singer's Chess recordings includes much of her best work. Three CDs' worth. 72 tracks. Shivers abound just thinking about it. Of course, all the songs you'd expect are here: "I Just Want to Make Love to You," "Spoonful," "Something's Got a Hold on Me," "Tell Mama," and, naturally, "At Last," among many, many others. But you don't need me to convince you why Etta James is worth hearing; what you want to know is, is this box set worth the price? Well, it's got almost everything you'd find on Read more

Features

• Box set
• Original recording remastered

Reviews (9)

Easily eans its 5 stars!What a woman! Grrrrrrrr!
A woman renamed Etta James hit the R&B charts at age 16, when she forged her mother's signature (who was in jail at the time) to allow her to tour and made a living performing where ever she could when soul fell from mass favor. The key to her endurance, as she is still singing, is her versatility and ability to hit home runs with great songs and work around the less than stellar songs. Choose your favourite disc,if you can!
One of the most satisfactory CD-Boxes I ever stumbled upon,this 3 Cd collection folows Etta James rise from her early 1960's violin-backed ballads to her glorious Memphis days and funk in 1970's.Of course,she recorded prior to "Chess" and afterwards,but these were her golden years and this carefully compiled Box shows what amazing singer she was in her prime.Those unfamiliar with her start (or with a music climate in early 1960's) would be surprised with some choices,but for me having Etta ballad/jazz/pop/country/soul/funk/philly-sound/blues songs all at one place means hours of pleasure without being bored with just one music style.What all these songs have in common is her big,powerful voice and whatever she sings,she is 100% into it - check her "St.Louis Blues" or previously unreleased (!)"You've Lost That Loving Feeling".Althought is hard to select favourite disc (and chart-wise,disc 1. was her best-selling period),last disc which follows her less commercial early 1970's period is absolute brilliant.The Box closes with breathtaking "Loving Arms" which moves me to tears,often sung country ballad that James sings while falling to pieces.

The Chess Box captures and gives the best of Etta James
You'll be more than pleased with this 3 CD set in The Chess Box! Let thevoice of Etta James capture your soul with 72 spectacular songs! Fantastic! I've gotten nothing but pure heart touching pleasure fromlistening to them all! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Blues    2. Blues Music    3. Box Sets (Audio Only)    4. Electric Blues    5. Pop    6. R&B    7. Soul    8. Soul-Blues   

Features

• Live

Reviews (9)

****1/2 actually
This 1963 live album finds Etta James at 25, catering to the crowd at the New Era Club in Nashville, Tennessee. And she is great vocal shape, backed by a tough R&B combo which features saxist Gavrell Cooper and his brother Vonzell on keyboards, and a great David T. Walker on guitar.
THIS IS THE A-BOMB!!
This album is the best album I own, and I own a lot of music. If you don't love the emotion, intensity, and power of this than nothing can move you.

The toughest singer you've ever heard.
This album rivals B.B. King Live At The Regal for best live blues album ever. Etta James sings so tough, so ballsy, I cannot think of another singer to compare her to. She almost makes even Wilson Pickett and James Brown sound like wimps.On a couple of songs, she does some scatting you have to hear to believe. Takes my breath away everytime.Read more

Subjects:  1. Blues    2. Blues Music    3. Pop    4. R&B    5. Soul-Blues   

Subjects:  1. Acoustic Blues    2. Acoustic Chicago Blues    3. Blues    4. Blues Collections    5. Blues Music    6. Classic Female Blues    7. Classic Jazz    8. Country Blues    9. Dirty Blues    10. East Coast Blues    11. Piano Blues    12. Piedmont Blues    13. Pop    14. Prewar Blues    15. Prewar Country Blues    16. V/a Compilations   

Features

• Extra tracks

Reviews (6)

Honey Confection of the Highest Order
I am floored everytime I hear the two rollin' pop hits by Dinah and Brook together ("You've Got What It Takes" and "Rockin' Good Way to Fall in Love")---this is pure pop heaven!!I just love rolling down the windows and blasting these two songs in my car on a summer day.Dinah and Brook seem to have really good chemistry together, that is, until you read what REALLY happened in the studio according to the liner notes, but they complement each other well on this CD.His mellow, smooth baritone just hits the spot in contrast to the emotional, dramatic vocals of Dinah.One wishes they had done more duets together.There are some nice individual songs by each on the CD.Dinah really tears at your heartstrings with her achy-breaky version of "Love Walked In".And if that's not enough to get the tear ducts workin', she lays it on with "There Goes My Heart"---a heartbreaker!!She does these songs in the emotional vein that only she knew how.Brook shines equally with his warm, honey-soaked voice.He really could've given Nat King Cole a run for his money.This is a must have for any Dinah Washington fan and you're in for a bonus to hear Brook as well if you haven't already.

one of truly great soul albums of the 60�s
In the summer of 1960 there was Brook and Dinah with their sweet, swinging soul duets "Baby, you�ve got what it takes" and "A rockin�good way" inching their way towards the #1 position occupied by Everly Brothers. Many of the records from that era sound dated today, but this album is immortal. Listen to Brook on "Call me", like honey poured over silk, it is. Or the two of them on "I do". Makes you wanna call that girl from long ago right away again. Buy this record, you won�t regret it!

Back to Real Voices
The combination of Brook Benton and Dinah Washington is overpowering.When they do "Baby, You Got What it Takes" I relive an era that has past us but is still alive with their breathtaking recordings.Theyare right in the area with Sarah Vaugh, Etta James, Ben E. King and I donot know who at the momemt! These are two all time greats! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ballads    2. Classic Female Blues    3. Jazz    4. Jazz Music    5. Jazz Vocals    6. Pop    7. R&B    8. Standards    9. Traditional Pop    10. Vocal Jazz   

Editorial Review

Just when it seems that the purr has left Etta James's estimable voice, about halfway through this live concert recorded in 2001 at L.A.'s House of Blues she begins her eternally romantic ballad "At Last," and the years tumble away. James's singing becomes flexible as a tenor saxophone, building to a lovely, serpentine diminuendo, which she caps with an arching phrase that dissipates in a misty exhalation of breath. It's such a beautiful, brilliantly executed performance that it's suddenly clear that for most of this show, the 64-year-old diva played dirty on purpose. So her signatures, "Tell Mama" and "I'd Rather Go Blind" (really, just about everything), are raw and earthy, moan-and-groan R&B milked for every smile and tear. Raunchy, too, since James deploys plenty of her bawdy stage patter and picks numbers like the striptease fantasy "You Can Leave Your Hat On" and the even more obvious "I Just Want to Make Love to You." Her impetuous nature leads her into unpredictable improvisations, like the weird bird calls she warbles during the intro to the ghetto-rocker "All the Way Down," with it's wah-wah guitar and "Theme from Read more

Features

• Live

Reviews (11)

Burn, Etta, Burn
Since my youth I have had an ear for roots music, whether I was conscious of that fact or not. The original of that interest first centered on the blues, then early rock and roll and later, with the folk revival of the early 1960's, folk music. I have often wondered about the source of this interest. I am, and have always been a city boy, and an Eastern city boy at that. Nevertheless, over time I have come to appreciate many more forms of roots music than in my youth. The subject of the following review is an example.
Too many are missing out on GREATNESS
Etta James style has evolved greatly over the decades-----it is merely a matter of personal preference as to which period of her career is her best-----i love her recent work equally as much as her earliest work--she is an artist who continually grows,stretches,& shares her immense talents & life experience w/ her audience. In her most recent years her style has expanded towards jazz---(although she mixes many styles now)--& this recorded live performance is STUNNING!!!!!This performance leans heavily towards "jazzy blues"--I reccomend it highly,JUST BEAUTIFUL. It is as real as it gets---i love this cd,TY ETTA,from the bottom of my heart!

Tasty Set!
Some of the other reviews attack this on the basis that it is not as soulful as the 60's and 70's sets that we all know and love.Sure this is not 1962, but the band is on and it is a powerful well produced saucy set.The fact that she can put it out this strong after all of these years is a testament to her artistry.It is a nice blues rock sound and it never dissapointed anyone that has heard it with me.I understand the argument for purity but in this world everything evolves and this one gets a well deserved spot on my shelf next to the classics. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Blues    2. Blues Music    3. Pop   

Editorial Review

Backed by a rotating roster of jazz stars, Smith's potent delivery made her a peerless star of classic female blues, combining a fiercely independent, almost defiant approach with subtly effective tinges of vulnerability. Early cuts such as "Downhearted Blues," which supposedly saved Columbia records from extinction in 1923, and "T'aint Nobody's Bizness If I Do" feature only Clarence Williams's piano behind her, but it's her work with Louis Armstrong that truly stands out-Satchmo majestically bobs and weaves his cornet around Smith's lines on "St. Louis Blues," "Reckless Blues," "I Ain't Gonna Play No Second Fiddle," and the ragtime chestnut "You've Been a Good Old Wagon." Unfortunately, Columbia offers buyers only two options: this cursory 16-song introduction or an exhaustive five-volume double-CD series. Read more

Reviews (8)

WHAT A VOICE!
One of the beat CD collections I own.
The Collection - Bessie Smith
For the purist.Not digitally remastered so it does not have the same sound quality that we are used to hearing today.For that reason the lyrics will often be unclear and sound like they are being sung from very far off.And they are - the distant past.

A GREAT addition to any quality music collection
This is a great disc. It is my first disc of old blues crooners and I plan to continue exploring the genre. She has so much SOUL!! The old analog sound gives character to the disc but is not too disracting from the music. You can feel the history in the recording but can easily feel and relate to the emotions that Betty is tellin. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Blues    2. Blues Music    3. Blues Traditional    4. Classic Female Blues    5. Classic Jazz    6. Pop   

Reviews (5)

Strong Blues
If you like blues, and you don't know about Etta James, get this CD. Straight ahead blues with an edge. I have several of Etta's CD's, and this is my second favorite. "Get Funky" is a little out of genre for me, but it still makes you move. "Beware" is a scorcher. Overall, if this CD doesn't make you move, your dead.

stickin' to my guns
etta james is a classic and there are some very good songs on this album.if you like etta you will probably like this cd, but i don't think it is one of her best.my major complaint was i thought the production and arrangements on many of the songs were too polished and lacked spontaneity.as such, they didn't seem to be well matched to etta's vocal style. perhaps this was an effort to make her more accessible to a wider, more rock oriented audience.

Raw & Funky!!
This cd contains some of Etta's most raw vocal performances!!! a mix of blues, rock, R&B, country and rap! one jamming set! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Blues    2. Blues Music    3. Pop    4. Soul    5. Soul-Blues   

Editorial Review

Dinah Washington had already enjoyed a career as a jazz and R&B singer when her 1959 recording of "What a Diff'rence a Day Makes" catapulted her to a new kind of popularity. Henceforth she would devote herself to singing ballads with orchestral backing. Though purists might object, the very gifts that distinguished her R&B singing remain in the later pop phase. Hers is one of the great sounds, a voice at once strong and breathy, with a focus that turns every note and every word into a richly nuanced event, uniquely shaped and loaded with meaning. Read more

Features

• Original recording reissued
• Original recording remastered

Reviews (13)

Classic Vocal
I have the LP of the same.Listening to the recordings again bought chills to my body.Wonderfully romantic.

What a beautiful voice!
I have heard of Dinah Washington but had no idea what a totally beautiful voice she had.What a romantic album! I would recommend it to anyone that enjoys dreamy lovely music. I will certainly purchase more of her music.

Great singer, great songs, awful arrangements
Dinah was at his best back then. She sang these american standards brilliantly. It�s such a shame that the arrangements made this record unbareble. Really, ever since I bought other Dina�s Cds (e.g.: Swingin� Ms. D) , I have never returned to this very one. But the most terrible side effect of the comercial success of this recording in 1959, is that for the following years all arrangers have insisted in the same sounding approach. That is why it is very rare to find uptempo swinging tracks among her last recordings, which I personally think it is when she found her best. That is a real shame! .... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ballads    2. Classic Female Blues    3. Jazz    4. Jazz Music    5. Jazz Vocals    6. Pop    7. Standards    8. Traditional Pop    9. Vocal Jazz    10. Vocal/Standards   

Reviews (1)

Good Collection of Naughty Tunes -- Including One Zinger
From almost the beginning of recorded music, songs have had some kind of sexual content. Compared to today where little is left to the imagination, this artists make clever use of double-entendres to tell their stories.Read more

Subjects:  1. 20's    2. 30's    3. Acoustic Blues    4. Blues    5. Blues Revival    6. Blues Traditional Collections    7. Classic Female Blues    8. Classic Jazz    9. Country Blues    10. Dirty Blues    11. Early American Blues    12. Piano Blues    13. Piedmont Blues    14. Pop    15. Prewar Country Blues    16. Soul/Reggae/Rhythm & Blues   

Editorial Review

The received wisdom on the tragic torch singer's later work--of these 35 tracks, six were recorded in 1946 and '47, and the rest in the '50s--is that her interpretive skill made up for the collapse of her voice. In fact, the serious cracks in her pitch don't appear until the second disc of this set, and it doesn't approach the febrile croak of Read more

Reviews (10)

Very Good, Very Jazz, Very Ballady, among her best
This selection of her post war work for Verve is among Billie Holiday's Best work. Instead of looking at Holiday as a personal crsisi in process, or as unblemished idol who was always good, it is interesting to look at this selection in regard to where she was as a developing artist.
We need a remastered version Verve
This is more than a decade old, and I dont like the sound very much. Verve should really release these tracks in a new compilation with better sound. I prefer the early Billie Holiday, and to me she reached her peak at her last sessions for Columbia. I'd strongly recommend to anyone just getting into Bilie to check the Columbia/Legacy stuff first. This is more difficult to appreciate, but stil is great music. Billie is the best jazz singer that ever lived, period.

GOD BLESS HER SOUL !!!
For many years now, there's been going on a "strange" comparison between Billie's two periods : before and after her time in prison.... The explanation is very simple. You don't buy Billie's records in order to HEAR them, but to FEEL them !!!! It wasn't her technical capabilities in singing that made the Lady famous. It was her emotions, her strength at heart, her willingness to overcome all the problems she had with her private life. That's what you get if you purchase the "Lady in Autumn" CD. You get a Great Lady that stands up with pride, and still manages to keep a high level of quality at her work. It's harder to remain at the top, than getting there at the first place. And Billie stood at the top for a very long time !!!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ballads    2. Blues Music    3. Classic Female Blues    4. Jazz    5. Jazz Vocals    6. Pop    7. Standards    8. Swing    9. Torch Songs    10. Traditional Pop    11. Vocal Jazz