BESSIE SMITH/BLUES TO BARRELHOUSE - THE BESSIE SMITH STORY VOL. 2 CL 856 (-51/-55) US MONO

The second of four Bessie Smith (1894-1937) compilations of early recordings, originally issued November 1951 on Columbia (GL 503-506). The one shown here is a mid-fifties re-press of the second, containing transfers from 78:s recorded 1924-33. She was one of the first blues artist on record and also early part of the "Rabbit Foot Minstrels" gang around Ma Rainey (1886-1939) - the woman who's been crowned "The Mother Of Blues". Important history indeed - doesn't matter if you're into the black American 20th century blues heroes or later white blues and hard rock...this is right from where it started. Not the subsequently more common solo guitar-vocal setting, but as a growth from New Orleans jazz and accompanied by a band. Of course there may have been others performing it differently even before, but they didn't record anything so we'll never know for sure. The audio they managed to get out of the 78:s here is surprisingly good - strong, clear and warm. Her singing is emotional with lots of zest, personal yet touching. I'm moved, not only by the songs, but by getting a chunk of 1920:s New Orleans transported to my living room and thus allowing me to be a witness to the birth of blues as we know it. Just have to close my eyes in my listening chair and I'm there. Hunky-dory. This second issue came on the six-eye label as shown here on thick vinyl, but keeping same sleeve design as the original. (YZÄ*) (ÖXCÅ*) (NYFÖ*) (FÄV*)