Note: they have one room microphone, hanging from the ceiling. Bessie has no mic of her own. She holds her own, and more, with all that chorale singing and the band. She was a force of nature, and probably the best blues singer who ever drew breath.
Many years ago I read an article about this scene: Bessie's mic was hidden behind her left arm, and that's why she almost doesn't move from the shelf. Anyway, THESE were artists. I clap my hands for them.
@@Alexusmendoza I don't know. If this was true we would hear her more when she sings to the left and I didn't hear anything different when she turns to the left!
The honking melody of rock and roll music has a clearly defined ancestry in jazz going back to Louis Armstrong and Bessie Smith of 85 years ago. Bessie Smith was ahead of her time.
You can always hear traces of these 20s people in Hank Williams, Elvis, Willie Nelson re did Blue Skies, was from the 20s as well. Yes..to go back in time ...and sit in that room for just a minute!!
sends a shiver down my spine everytime i hear it, what a wonderful opportunity to hear Bessie, so raw and so spiritual despite the context of the song.
One of the best-recognized songs of its period....and sung as only Bessie Smith could do it. In 1956, W. C. Handy sent me 3 autographed photos, which are among my prized possession.
I would treasure those as well @gmmix, that is living history. I'd be interested in knowing the circumstances which led up to that, and your communication with him, or request. I was watching him this morning on his appearance at The Ed Sullivan Show, age 75, playing this simple and sparse song, which the great Bessie Smith immortalized in her voice.
i first heard this song on a documentary about the history of blues music and when i heard bessie smith sing this i fell in love with it instantly. truely a beautiful song from a beautiful woman.
La mayor influencia de Janis Joplin. Qué buena sorpresa, gran artista; y se nota la influencia en Janis, es notorio en el estilo de cantar; su mayor diferencia, la música y el toque personal de Janis. Ambas muy buenas cantantes.
i first heard her song, "nobody knows you" on Bioshock, later i saw the movie by queen latifah making her character and love how she sings the blues so beautiful, oh my gosh im in love with her voice
this film is available in its entirety along with those of Louis Armstrong , Billie Holiday and Scatman Crothers(both 19yrs old), Duke Ellington,Fredi Washington, Cab Calloway, on a DVD called Hollywood Rhythm: The Paramount Musical Shorts The Best of Jazz and Blues!
If only today's pap-fed generation could be introduced to this kind of music, but there is no chance, today it is image and money making, I despair, Bessie is still giving pleasure to millions, I douby the Lady Gagas of this world will, in the future,be doing the same.
@Ronald McFondle And what's wrong with that? Each generation has their own style that they grow up with and love. And then when the kids from one generation get older a lot of them look down on the next generation or 2 and start complaining..."well in my day" (not that I'm implying you're old enough to have been into Bessie when she was current) or "today's kids don't know what real music is" blah blah blah Quite frankly I'm sick to death of it...and the elitists, which you and tommy hall seem to both be. What's wrong with saying that today's music doesn't suck just because it's different? Not to mention that some of us are eclectic and like lots of stuff from Bessie Smith to Illenium. Synth sound is AWESOME and guess what, so are the blues.
wow...of all the current artists you pick to trash, you go with one of the ones with the most substance and talent. No disrespect to Bessie because she's amazing, but you obviously have no idea what you're talking about.
I think that the problem lies with the sound technology -- Bessie's voice is swamped by the crowd's greater volume. If her voice was amplified over the crowd, then this would sound great.
St. Louis Blues Bessie Smith I hate to see that evening sun go down Hate to see that evening sun go down Cause ma baby, he done left this town If I feel tomorrow like I feel today Feel tomorrow like I feel today Ill pack up my trunk, and make my getaway Saint Louis woman with her diamond rings Pulls that man around by her apron strings If it weren't for powder and her store-bought hair The man I love wouldn't go nowhere, nowhere Got them Saint Louis blues I'm as blue as I can be He's got a heart like a rock cast in the sea Got them Saint Louis blues I'm as blue as I can be
This movie is thanks to black Oscar Micheaux and Jewish Alfred Sack, a Dallas friend of mine, who added the Fletch Henderson band. This arrangement of St. Louis Blues, was done by Rosamond Johnson who composed the NAACP anthem "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing." This was the only movie where Bessie was seen and catch the movie where Queen Latifah plays Bessie. Dr. Diane Cheney
This is one of the best versions of St.Louis Blues, and the scenes from Cabin in the Sky (?) are great. Thanks for this post. I'm glad to be able to have access to old classics like this, because these songs are basically my favourites. :))
Taken from the album "Best of Bessie Smith" Day 5974. 2 x 29 x 103. Iceberg lettuce and baby spinach leaves in the morning then all my urine then dried figs and cherries and lettuce and spinach then more urine then fresh fruit and vegetables and other foods at 9.00pm. No change.
I'm visiting a few of my friends in that part of the world. They're not exactly in StL itself, but yeah (doesn't give away their location). A few south west? I'll look. 112 days to go!
I hate to see the evening' sun go down I hate to see the evening' sun go down It makes me think I'm on my last go 'round Feeling' tomorrow like I feel today Feeling' tomorrow like I feel today I'll pack my grip and make my getaway Saint Louis woman with her diamond rings Pulls that man around by her apron strings Wasn't for powder and the store-bought hair The man I love wouldn't go nowhere, nowhere I got them Saint Louis Blues; just as blue as I can be He's got a heart like a rock cast in the sea Or else he wouldn't have gone so far from me
ChuChu353 Let me tell you something little kiddie, Latifah ain't woman enough to play Bessie Smith. You see Bessie was all-woman and she loved herself some men, the finer the better. I guarantee you that the man-loving, hard loving sexual side of Bessie's love life will take a back seat to Latifah's demands. Because Latifah don't like men period. And the script will be scrubbed clean of that part of Bessie's life making the story not really about Bessie. Give me a newcomer. Lots of good, powerful black actresses out there toiling away in off Broadway productions, small films and in acting schools. Tifah's time is past she's not a great actress and she CAN NOT play a love scene at all.
JJ truth But wasn't Bessie bisexual? Maybe that part will be explored, who knows. Latifa sure as hell did a great love scene in set it off with that other woman. It was natural because she was being herself. The black community is still very homophobic so I doubt the queen will becoming out any time soon, though everyone knows it. It's an open secret just like Luther Vandross.
This really is the soul of blues-it breaks my heart to think what they endured.Human beings singin their souls out (literally) to make us White folks understand them and their sufferin
Note: they have one room microphone, hanging from the ceiling. Bessie has no mic of her own. She holds her own, and more, with all that chorale singing and the band. She was a force of nature, and probably the best blues singer who ever drew breath.
it's a little harder to sing while sitting too.
Many years ago I read an article about this scene: Bessie's mic was hidden behind her left arm, and that's why she almost doesn't move from the shelf. Anyway, THESE were artists. I clap my hands for them.
@@Alexusmendoza I don't know. If this was true we would hear her more when she sings to the left and I didn't hear anything different when she turns to the left!
Facts
In my humble opinion, couldn't this be considered the very first music video? Technicalities aside? Wow, that woman could sing!!!
Yes sir
Hear, hear! And best Male version - Paul Robeson..
The honking melody of rock and roll music has a clearly defined ancestry in jazz going back to Louis Armstrong and Bessie Smith of 85 years ago. Bessie Smith was ahead of her time.
I would kill to be in that room for just 5 mins during that time
Me too, brother.
The line would form behind me.
I was born in 63 but wish the 20s were my time love those days
You can always hear traces of these 20s people in Hank Williams, Elvis, Willie Nelson re did Blue Skies, was from the 20s as well. Yes..to go back in time ...and sit in that room for just a minute!!
Me too. Wish I could visit that time with my people
sends a shiver down my spine everytime i hear it, what a wonderful opportunity to hear Bessie, so raw and so spiritual despite the context of the song.
Great to actually see her singing. Sensational.
I teach a guitar class about the blues. this song is as fine an example as there is of "what is the blue". This. Is. The. Blues.
U got to try in ur work ❤
One of the best-recognized songs of its period....and sung as only Bessie Smith could do it. In 1956, W. C. Handy sent me 3 autographed photos, which are among my prized possession.
I would treasure those as well @gmmix, that is living history. I'd be interested in knowing the circumstances which led up to that, and your communication with him, or request. I was watching him this morning on his appearance at The Ed Sullivan Show, age 75, playing this simple and sparse song, which the great Bessie Smith immortalized in her voice.
Wow! Bessie's is belting out the blues what a quality voice and sound. Her version is best. Just something in her voice. Mother of the blues.
This wonderful performance fills my heart with nostalgia and longing for past times. Big happiness that this movie has been preserved.
i first heard this song on a documentary about the history of blues music and when i heard bessie smith sing this i fell in love with it instantly. truely a beautiful song from a beautiful woman.
Dang. That woman sang from the tips of her toes - it reverberated up, through her entire body, and when it came out it was purely soul.
Fantastic! Her voice and the way she sings is one of a kind!
If they'd had MTV in 1929 this video would have been in heavy rotation.
This probably one of the first music videos ever made...amazing!
La mayor influencia de Janis Joplin. Qué buena sorpresa, gran artista; y se nota la influencia en Janis, es notorio en el estilo de cantar; su mayor diferencia, la música y el toque personal de Janis. Ambas muy buenas cantantes.
DAMNATION!!!!!! - So beautiful This is where Soul was born
True classic.
Sounds great.
I can feel the soul in this.
Goosebumps... ❤️👍🏻
The woman was talented ......she can " WAIL THE BLUES " .......WOW !!!!!
i have a lot of Bessie on slate but this is the first time ive seen her
thanks so much for putting this on
Como me encanta su voz, es perfecta, su interpretación y ejecución se combinan para formar algo mágico, para formar música.
i first heard her song, "nobody knows you" on Bioshock, later i saw the movie by queen latifah making her character and love how she sings the blues so beautiful, oh my gosh im in love with her voice
My best game ❤❤❤
this film is available in its entirety along with those of Louis Armstrong , Billie Holiday and Scatman Crothers(both 19yrs old), Duke Ellington,Fredi Washington, Cab Calloway, on a DVD called Hollywood Rhythm: The Paramount Musical Shorts The Best of Jazz and Blues!
Wow! Just heard about Bessie Smith on a PBS show. What an incredible voice. She takes you on a journey with her.
Her voice was AMAZING!
I've seen a documentary of Bessie Smith and this movie short of Bessie Smith singing this song was in the documentary. She was my favorite.
Today's "hurt" rap is four generations behind this video, and the incomparable Bessie Smith.
Jesus Christ that is so fasinating. Not just the music, but the video, the time, the people, the everything really lol
it's a strong video, strong music, strong feelings 💖💖 health for all of us!
AWESOME !!!
had to turn down my speakers cause they were going to explode... ahaha, other then that, this is great!! I wish i could have been there to see it.
so much emotion in that look
If only today's pap-fed generation could be introduced to this kind of music, but there is no chance, today it is image and money making, I despair, Bessie is still giving pleasure to millions, I douby the Lady Gagas of this world will, in the future,be doing the same.
@Ronald McFondle And what's wrong with that? Each generation has their own style that they grow up with and love. And then when the kids from one generation get older a lot of them look down on the next generation or 2 and start complaining..."well in my day" (not that I'm implying you're old enough to have been into Bessie when she was current) or "today's kids don't know what real music is" blah blah blah Quite frankly I'm sick to death of it...and the elitists, which you and tommy hall seem to both be. What's wrong with saying that today's music doesn't suck just because it's different? Not to mention that some of us are eclectic and like lots of stuff from Bessie Smith to Illenium. Synth sound is AWESOME and guess what, so are the blues.
wow...of all the current artists you pick to trash, you go with one of the ones with the most substance and talent. No disrespect to Bessie because she's amazing, but you obviously have no idea what you're talking about.
Dr. Shoichi Yui said that Bessie's blues should be heard not in terms of JAZZ but in terms of OPERA. Watching this clip I can dig what he said.
This is something that, shakes me! Singer was amazing and she shows the ways, for so many singers! Touhing!
my goodness!!!
shes is DIVINE!
she was beautiful she really did have a warm and comforting look.
I think that the problem lies with the sound technology -- Bessie's voice is swamped by the crowd's greater volume. If her voice was amplified over the crowd, then this would sound great.
Gracias por compartirlo con el mundo. Adoro a esta mujer, su voz...
no one still beats d classics.....
Love Bessie smith
i love it! i've listened to bessie smith for years,but i've never seen this.Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for posting this. Stunning.
It's almost scary watching so old musicvideos. But i like it!
robin haugsnes innit
She’s my inspiration 💜
St. Louis Blues
Bessie Smith
I hate to see that evening sun go down
Hate to see that evening sun go down
Cause ma baby, he done left this town
If I feel tomorrow like I feel today
Feel tomorrow like I feel today
Ill pack up my trunk, and make my getaway
Saint Louis woman with her diamond rings
Pulls that man around by her apron strings
If it weren't for powder and her store-bought hair
The man I love wouldn't go nowhere, nowhere
Got them Saint Louis blues I'm as blue as I can be
He's got a heart like a rock cast in the sea
Got them Saint Louis blues I'm as blue as I can be
Bessie Smith - St. Louis Blues is on the dailymotion website and is the complete 9 minute video. It is much better than these "shorts" on youtube.
This movie is thanks to black Oscar Micheaux and Jewish Alfred Sack, a Dallas friend of mine, who added the Fletch Henderson band. This arrangement of St. Louis Blues, was done by Rosamond Johnson who composed the NAACP anthem "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing." This was the only movie where Bessie was seen and catch the movie where Queen Latifah plays Bessie. Dr. Diane Cheney
Pure soul. The video in wikipedia has better sound, hence more soul. Epic singer.
I see why they call her the Empress of Blues
This is so wonderful, thanks so much for uploading and sharing such a classic clip!
This is one of the best versions of St.Louis Blues, and the scenes from Cabin in the Sky (?) are great. Thanks for this post. I'm glad to be able to have access to old classics like this, because these songs are basically my favourites. :))
This is better than gold
Taken from the album "Best of Bessie Smith"
Day 5974. 2 x 29 x 103. Iceberg lettuce and baby spinach leaves in the morning then all my urine then dried figs and cherries and lettuce and spinach then more urine then fresh fruit and vegetables and other foods at 9.00pm. No change.
I'm visiting a few of my friends in that part of the world. They're not exactly in StL itself, but yeah (doesn't give away their location). A few south west? I'll look. 112 days to go!
I hate to see the evening' sun go down
I hate to see the evening' sun go down
It makes me think I'm on my last go 'round
Feeling' tomorrow like I feel today
Feeling' tomorrow like I feel today
I'll pack my grip and make my getaway
Saint Louis woman with her diamond rings
Pulls that man around by her apron strings
Wasn't for powder and the store-bought hair
The man I love wouldn't go nowhere, nowhere
I got them Saint Louis Blues; just as blue as I can be
He's got a heart like a rock cast in the sea
Or else he wouldn't have gone so far from me
The picture is so clear. I guess this is one of the first music videos !! Thank you for posting she sounds beautiful and is quite an actress!!!
thanks so much for uploading this. videos/songs/people like this should never be forgotten in a dusty closet.
Love it.
Ive just discovered this women and I'm in love with how powerful her voice is it's so beautiful I would love to be in the same room as her
@zperra That's right. Just honest, pure singing...and still way much better than the 99.99% of the so-called popular "artist" of today.
Ella es tan hermosa, como amo esta canción
I can't wait to visit the wonderful city of St Louis in December. I'm stoked!
amen to that
No cussing, No bling, just pure Class
Classic
wow absolutely beautiful THANK u for putting this out .....I appreciate your teaching...
Uma preciosidade, com a maravilhosa Bessie Smith
I kinda wish I was there.
beautiful.
BESSIE SMITH WELL KNOWN JAZZ SINGER
1929 bangers be like
Muito obrigado pelo vídeo! Fantástico!
Good god, I love this song so much.
WOW
Que voz maravilhosa.
How music started #facts!!!! Who EVER dosen't believe. Look with your lying eyes 😏😏.# westartEveything!!!where's the lie🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔😏
i found this song when i have 9 years old
all I needed))
you are so lucky!
Bonito y fantástico video, qué gran mujer!!!
amazing, so soulful
@loverplease The movie is St. Louis Blues
Eleven years later Clapton was born.
What a song; for parted lovers everywhere.
this is THE FIRST MUSIC VIDEo ever created
REMEMBERING BESSIE SMITH (APRIL 15, 1894 - SEPTEMBER 26, 1937) [04/15/2018]
Bessie Smith was Chattanooga, Tennessee's most famous daughter...
i get the chills everytime.
Can't wait to see Queen Latifah as Bessie!!!!!
Tifah can't compare. Take a chance with a new comer.
JJ truth Latifah is the ONLY one that can truly do Bessie justice!!! (bonus points to the genius that cast Mo'Nique as Ma Rainey) :-D )
ChuChu353 Let me tell you something little kiddie, Latifah ain't woman enough to play Bessie Smith. You see Bessie was all-woman and she loved herself some men, the finer the better. I guarantee you that the man-loving, hard loving sexual side of Bessie's love life will take a back seat to Latifah's demands. Because Latifah don't like men period. And the script will be scrubbed clean of that part of Bessie's life making the story not really about Bessie. Give me a newcomer. Lots of good, powerful black actresses out there toiling away in off Broadway productions, small films and in acting schools. Tifah's time is past she's not a great actress and she CAN NOT play a love scene at all.
JJ truth But wasn't Bessie bisexual? Maybe that part will be explored, who knows. Latifa sure as hell did a great love scene in set it off with that other woman. It was natural because she was being herself. The black community is still very homophobic so I doubt the queen will becoming out any time soon, though everyone knows it. It's an open secret just like Luther Vandross.
Jadon Carter
i love bessie smith!
ohh the classics
Either way hits me hard
Hollerin -The Blues Mamma
Gänsehaut
wow shes got soul
This really is the soul of blues-it breaks my heart to think what they endured.Human beings singin their souls out (literally) to make us White folks understand them and their sufferin
Im the first to say thankyou
oh....very true
Not sure why you chose to send ME this, but thanks! Great singing, wonderful archive film.
Will look at more.
Best Wishes
Christine