Frog UK
2004
The Complete Recordings, Volume 7
About This Album
British reissue label Frog Records has undertaken the task of reissuing the complete recordings of Bessie Smith in chronological order, and this installment is the seventh of eight single-disc packages. The series as a whole essentially duplicates Columbia's nine-disc coverage of the same material, so it really comes down to a matter of preference, since Smith's amazing and confident singing shines through in both cases, and the digital transfers are virtually identical. The rare highlight in this volume is a movie soundtrack version of "St. Louis Blues" that clocks in at close to nine minutes in length and features a massive assembled chorus and choir that threaten to completely overtake Smith's lead vocal. ~ Steve Leggett, All Music Guide
Track List (try tracks 1,2,3,6 and 15)

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