Bessie Smith

Synopsis

A BBC RADIO 4 BOOK OF THE WEEK

Bessie Smith: singer, icon, pioneer.

Scotland's National Poet Jackie Kay brings to life the tempestuous story of the greatest blues singer who ever lived.

'A gem of a book . . . beautiful.' BERNARDINE EVARISTO
'A wonderful writer on a magnificent singer.' ROBERT WYATT
'Kay's book is the amplifier that Smith's voice deserves.' SUNDAY TIMES
'The most vivid evocation of Bessie Smith I have ever read.' IAN CARR, BBC MUSIC

BESSIE SMITH was born in Tennessee in 1894. Orphaned by the age of nine, she sang on street corners before becoming a big name in travelling shows. In 1923 she made her first recording for a new start-up called Columbia Records. It sold 780,000 copies and made her a star. Smith's life was notoriously difficult: she drank pints of 'bathtub gin', got into violent fist fights, spent huge sums of money and had passionate love affairs with men and women. She once single-handedly fought off a cohort of the Ku Klux Klan.

As a young black girl growing up in Glasgow, Jackie Kay found in Bessie someone with whom she could identify and who she could idolise. In this remarkable book Kay mixes biography, fiction, poetry and prose to create an enthralling account of an extraordinary life.

'Biographies don't usually bring the subject to life again. This one did. I finished the book then started it again immediately.'
PEGGY SEEGER

'What a life! What gulpable storytelling! Exactly the kind of writing about music we need: personal, ardent, playfully confrontational, questioning, undogmatic. A love song to a complicated idol.'
KATE MOLLESON

'Pure joy: one trailblazing woman pays tribute to another. Jackie Kay finds the music in the short, dazzling, capricious life of Bessie Smith.'
HELEN LEWIS

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Summary

Chapter 1: A Tennessean in Spirit

* Introduces Bessie Smith, her humble beginnings in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and her upbringing in a close-knit family.
* Explores the influence of her family's church and community on her musical style and spirituality.
* Example: Smith's performance of "Backwater Blues" (1927) demonstrates her deep connection to her roots and the blues tradition.

Chapter 2: The Blues Begin

* Examines Smith's early career as a dancer and singer in traveling minstrel shows.
* Discusses her apprenticeship under prominent blues musicians such as Ma Rainey and Clarence Williams.
* Example: Smith's recording of "Downhearted Blues" (1923) showcases her mastery of the blues form and her distinctive vocal style.

Chapter 3: Empress of the Blues

* Chronicles Smith's rise to stardom as the "Empress of the Blues" in the 1920s.
* Highlights her collaborations with renowned musicians including Louis Armstrong and Fletcher Henderson.
* Example: The legendary "St. Louis Blues" (1925), recorded with Henderson's orchestra, cemented Smith's status as a blues icon.

Chapter 4: Vocal Grandeur and Personal Struggles

* Discusses Smith's vocal prowess, characterized by its power, range, and emotional depth.
* Examines her personal struggles with racism, financial instability, and addiction.
* Example: Her rendition of "Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out" (1929) captures both her vocal brilliance and the challenges she faced.

Chapter 5: Touring and Tragedy

* Describes Smith's extensive touring schedule and the impact it had on her health and relationships.
* Explores the tragic accident that claimed her life in 1937.
* Example: Smith's performance of "Gimme a Pigfoot" (1933) reflects her resilience and determination despite the hardships she endured.

Chapter 6: Legacy and Impact

* Assesses Smith's lasting influence on the blues genre and popular music.
* Highlights the contributions of her contemporaries and successors who were inspired by her artistry.
* Example: The Rolling Stones' cover of "St. Louis Blues" (1964) pays homage to Smith's musical legacy and its enduring global appeal.