Poor Man's Blues

It's all about packaging, isn't it? This "box set" was simply two cds and a simple booklet - and is called "volume 4." Hmph! This set includes "Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out." I'll post the second disc in the near future. (from Amazon.com) 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. --Genevieve Williams +
Tracks

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