Album

The Empress

Bessie Smith

1971 · Jazz, Blues

Rare pressing on Gatefold

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The Empress by Bessie Smith

The Empress is a Blues album by Bessie Smith, originally released in 1971. On Gatefold: 13 pressings tracked.

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Tracklist

Side A

  1. A1Sing Sing Prison Blues3:03
  2. A2Follow The Deal On Down3:16
  3. A3Sinful Blues3:09
  4. A4Woman's Trouble Blues3:04
  5. A5Love Me Daddy Blues3:13
  6. A6Dying Gambler's Blues2:56
  7. A7St. Louis Blues3:09
  8. A8Reckless Blues3:01

Side B

  1. B1Sobbin' Hearted Blues3:00
  2. B2Cold In Hand Blues3:12
  3. B3You've Been A Good Ole Wagon3:28
  4. B4Cake Walkin' Babies (From Home)3:07
  5. B5The Yellow Dog Blues3:01
  6. B6Soft Pedal Blues3:17
  7. B7Dixie Flyer Blues3:07
  8. B8Nashville Woman's Blues3:41

Side C

  1. C1Muddy Water (A Mississippi Moan)3:06
  2. C2There'll Be A Hot Time In The Old Town Tonight3:28
  3. C3Trombone Cholly3:10
  4. C4Send Me To The 'Lectric Chair3:21
  5. C5Them's Graveyard Words2:57
  6. C6Hot Springs Blues3:02
  7. C7Sweet Mistreator3:09
  8. C8Lock And Key2:57

Side D

  1. D1Mean Old Bedbug Blues3:48
  2. D2A Good Man Is Hard To Find3:00
  3. D3Homeless Blues3:34
  4. D4Looking For My Man Blues2:48
  5. D5Dyin' By The Hour2:58
  6. D6Foolish Man Blues2:53
  7. D7Thinking Blues3:07
  8. D8Pickpocket Blues2:42

Sound DNA

  • Blues
  • Acoustic & Delta Blues
  • gritty
  • mournful
  • bluesy

Album notes

Discogs page for these notes (opens in a new tab)

Notes from the original pressing. Later editions may differ.

This is the fourth of five two-record sets.
Release is auto-couples. Sides A & D on LP 1, sides B & C on LP 2
All selections were recorded in New York City.
Inside cover photo courtesy of the Estate of Carl Van Vechten
A1: December 6, 1924
A2 & A3: December 11, 1924
A4 & A5: December 12, 1924
A6: December 13, 1924
A7 & A8, B1 to B3: January 14, 1925
B4 & B5: May 5, 1925
B6: May 14, 1925
B7: May 15, 1925
B8: May 26, 1925
C1 & C2: March 2, 1927
C3 to C6: March 3, 1927
C7 & C8: April 1, 1927
D1 & D2: September 27, 1927
D3 & D4: September 28, 1927
D5 & D6: October 27, 1927
D7 & D8: February 9, 1928

Credits

The people behind it.

Performers

Rare pressing on Gatefold · 13 pressings tracked on Gatefold

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