Bessie Smith - The Complete Recordings Vol. 4 (1928-1931) (1993)

These recordings reaching from the height of Bessie Smith's fame into her decline in popularity are required listening, covering the years 1928 through 1931. Not only was her voice stronger than ever, but her control over the material was topnotch; she balanced on the fine line between seductive charm and overt sexuality with apparent ease. Some of her best material ever appears on volume 4 of this 5-volume set, including "Standin' in the Rain Blues," "Empty Bed Blues" (speaking of overtness…), "Devil's Gonna Git You," "I'm Wild About That Thing," "Blue Spirit Blues"… but it's useless to even try to list favorites. Smith's voice is so rich and expressive despite the primitive recording technology of the day, one can only imagine what it must have been like to hear her live. And trombonist Charlie Green and pianist James P. Johnson are featured prominently here as well.

Tracklist:

CD 1:
01. Standin' In The Rain Blues 02:56
02. It Won't Be You 02:49
03. Spider Man Blues 03:24
04. Empty Bed Blues (Part 1) 03:03
05. Empty Bed Blues (Part 2) 03:22
06. Put It Right Here (Or Keep It Out There) 03:00
07. Yes Indeed He Do! 03:17
08. Devil's Gonna Git You 03:12
09. You Ought To Be Ashamed 03:08
10. Washwoman's Blues 03:10
11. Slow And Easy Man 02:58
12. Poor Man's Blues 03:26
13. Please Help Me Get Him Out Of My Mind 02:58
14. Me And My Gin 02:52
15. I'm Wild About That Thing 02:50
16. You've Got To Give Me Some 02:44
17. Kitchen Man 02:58
18. I've Got What It Takes (But It Breaks My Heart To Give It Away) 03:11
19. Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out 03:00
20. Take It Right Back ('Cause I Don't Want It Here) 03:20

CD 2:
01. He's Got Me Goin' 03:15
02. It Makes My Love Come Down 02:58
03. Wasted Life Blues 03:05
04. Dirty No-Gooder's Blues 03:00
05. Blue Spirit Blues 02:58
06. Worn Out Papa Blues 02:51
07. You Don't Understand 03:06
08. Don't Cry Baby 03:12
09. Keep It To Yourself 03:33
10. New Orleans Hop Scop Blues 02:59
11. See If I'll Care 03:26
12. Baby Have Pity On Me 03:21
13. On Revival Day (A Rhythmic Spiritual) 02:57
14. Moan, You Moaners 03:13
15. Hustlin' Dan 03:33
16. Black Mountain Blues 03:11
17. In The House Blues 03:02
18. Long Old Road 03:28
19. Blue Blues 03:15
20. Shipwreck 03:20