The thing about Bessie Smith is how strong her voice was! Listen to how booming her voice sounds here. Now consider the quality of technology. I can't imagine how much more powerful her voice must have been in person.

@MarinCipollina

3 жыл бұрын

Bessie Smith performed in the era before microphones and amplification.. She was so loud she could be heard 2 NYC blocks away.

@AlisonsArt

2 жыл бұрын

This was very early sound film. Trying out an orchestra and singer in scene. Also fixed 🎥. Sound was new & novelty: movie musicals became even more popular during the depression: sparkling cheerful entertainment....

@nancybreaux9684

2 жыл бұрын

@@MarinCipollina I believe it.

@bubbatheking9225

2 жыл бұрын

I would like to see more blues singers glom the vibe she put out. Seems like her legacy has been forgotten or worse, ignored.

@seanonel

2 жыл бұрын

Imagine how great it would sound if it was autotuned!

She doesn't just sing it. She drags it, stands it up, spills some on ya shoes...

@veramon5696

3 жыл бұрын

Said perfectly

@ThecrazyJH96

3 жыл бұрын

Damn

@sleepbaby17

3 жыл бұрын

Yyyaaassss 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾

Janis Joplin idolized her and purchased a tombstone for her grave.

@LetsSeeYourKungFu

4 жыл бұрын

Just learned that. It's why I searched this 😆

@Grumpy-Bollocks

4 жыл бұрын

She paid for half of it, a former employee of Bessie paid the other half. "Weird History" posted a video on her yesterday.

@carlbowles1808

4 жыл бұрын

Janis Joplin was influenced by Bessie too bad Janis left us too soon. Drugs and carelessness Rob everyone regardless of race and class.

@user-bo8eq7ki5w

4 жыл бұрын

Janis Joplin ?)))), it's just kids !

@gst013

4 жыл бұрын

Someone's been watching Weird History 😅

It's crazy that we're creeping up on this beautiful performance being a century old...

@crystal1799

3 жыл бұрын

Is it actually her?

@donstarfinkel6456

3 жыл бұрын

@@crystal1799 in the flesh

@grammaticalchainsaw7318

3 жыл бұрын

Its not a century yet

@ninjakbly

3 жыл бұрын

@@grammaticalchainsaw7318 That's why I said "creeping up on." If only you were Reading Comprehension Chainsaw.

@1buman69

2 жыл бұрын

100 years yet timeless.

Taking that jazz history class was the best decision I’ve made in my academic career

This is the blues raw and unfiltered like it should be

@pikeman80

6 жыл бұрын

Check out Blind Blake. He plays a mean guitar too.

@cindyroll5164

6 жыл бұрын

I am going to right now. Thanks. :)

@rbentrdr

6 жыл бұрын

Thanks!!! I went there, too!

@WillieDines1

5 жыл бұрын

this is the real deep sound and level of blues in the soul that no money could ever buy and no Hollywood studio could ever imitate.

@WillieDines1

5 жыл бұрын

@Cindy Roll check out Blind Willie McTell, Robert Johnson and also the old Alan Lomax recordings that were made in the deep south at the prison work camps.... some real and true unfiltered blues from them, as well as from Robert Johnson, Son House, Charlie Patton, Sonny Terry & Brownie Maghee, etc.

Queen Latifah did an amazing job playing this beautiful queen 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽

@ashleasmith-garner6677

4 жыл бұрын

Looks just like her

@pamelam6373

3 жыл бұрын

Yes she did.

@310sektion3

3 жыл бұрын

Film?

@michellewilliston1937

3 жыл бұрын

@@310sektion3 yes its called "Bessie"

@danielthoman7324

3 жыл бұрын

@@michellewilliston1937 one place you can see it is HBO on demand.

Years ago, I was changing channels and happened to catch this. And then it disappeared back down the rabbit hole. And now, thanks to the internet, I can play it whenever I want. Life is good.

Her voice literally sends chills down my spine! And what’s also amazing is that we can watch 94 year old footage of someone singing

@shostakovich99

5 ай бұрын

I'm sure that like almost all filmed singing till quite recently, they were lipsyncing.

@donstarfinkel6456

Ай бұрын

​@shostakovich99 it was the 1920s even if it was prerecorded that's her voice and it would have been necessary for the film

Can you imagine hearing this live oh my god the energy of the entire room singing holy crap!!!

@ericreingardt2504

2 жыл бұрын

That's what I was thinking. I wish this audio was remastered really well

@franktreinador4938

2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely amazing

@gratefulyankee377

Жыл бұрын

I know right?

Ah, that voice just melts my soul. 🫠

Get it bessie. I show your music to everyone they think im insane coz its so old. I tell them taste has no time fellas!!!

When I look those videos and hear those songs, I cant help my self and always feel sadness and peace in same time. How those people lived their life, and how they are in history, everyone of them with own dreams and desires, some of them achieved great things and left their marks in history, others just vanished without anyone remember them, or know about their existence right now. Just sad and mesmerizing what life is. Enjoy it while it last folks.

@kostakostik2805

2 жыл бұрын

Myslím,že byli šťastní i bez technických vymožeností této doby a troufám si říci,že šťastnější,než lidé dnes

@someonesomewhere1100

2 жыл бұрын

Right! The circle of life is a blessing. But the awareness of it can be a curse.

L'immense representante du veritable art si original du peuple noir americain. Une voix a la fois puissante, emouvante et d'une pulsation devastatrice. La seule cantatrice qui a chaque fois m'arrache des larmes... depuis 60 ans. Peut-etre parce qu'on l'a laissee mourir en lui refusant l'acces a un hopital apres un grave accident de la route. Mais sa voix fortifiera mes derniers jours et resplendira dans l'eternite.

"St.Louis Blues" she sang is so good that you'll watch it over and over again in awe. Her sad death brought tears to my eyes.

Empress of the blues. Wish I could time travel and witness her singing under the tent and chasing off the KKK. Oh yes she did! God love her.

This brings tears to my eyes , the rawness of this is what’s missing in a lot of today’s music , may her legacy live on

@soulvaccination8679

2 жыл бұрын

Last one was Janis..

@jomoer8676

2 жыл бұрын

@@soulvaccination8679 amy winehouse

So much pain, gravitas, restraint. She is so careful and considered. Melodic, adaptable. A master with no existing doubt.

My Grandma was born the year this was recorded... she died at 92 .. Amazing ❤

I Love how she’s crooning with her Beer in Hand! 🍺

How wonderful this film survives. So much early film was lost or destroyed.

There is one room microphone (you get a glance at about 2 minutes). So, Bessie's voice is mixed with a choir- maybe 20 voices, and good ones- and she rules the day. The Queen, then and now.

she sings with such ease, she has so much control. definitely earned the title of empress of blues and so much more

Black ppl make the best music. We’ve been through so much shit in this country that no body can sing the blues like we can

jfc the voice on Bessie Smith the hardest of metalheads and i've got a shiver going down my spine

In 1929, Smith made her only film appearance, starring in a two-reeler, St. Louis Blues, based on W. C. Handy's song of the same name. In the film, directed by Dudley Murphy and shot in Astoria, Queens, she sings the title song accompanied by members of Fletcher Henderson's orchestra, the Hall Johnson Choir, the pianist James P. Johnson and a string section-a musical environment radically different from that of any of her recordings.

@WillieDines1

5 жыл бұрын

Pure awesomeness that James P Johnson was the piano player, which explains why the sound of the piano intro reminded me so much of his style of playing. He was a hell of a blues and stride pianist in his own right and composed alot of songs that became standards to other blues and jazz artists, especially Caralolina Shout and a few others, but also was a major influence on Fats Waller, Jimmy Yancey and a few others.

@BellaFirenze

3 жыл бұрын

@@alexandergray9454 My pleasure. Greetings from Italy.

@malfattio2894

3 жыл бұрын

The cinematography and lighting are pretty ahead of their time for a 1929 sound film

This is an absolute TREASURE!! I have chills

@ericsmith8708

Жыл бұрын

Yes. Lovely songs from Bessie...Merry how are you?

I’ve heard of her, of a great from long ago and am now glad I stopped to listen. Shem would be something today in 2024! She’s got “IT”.

You don't Sing like that unless You have felt the pain,,,, it is a fascinating Film too , Thank you so much for posting , And Thank you for the Music , without This , and the Later Soul movement , There would NEVER be a Mod Culture . 200Kid.

Cheers to everyone who's got a man with rocks for a heart.

Bessie Smith was incredibly beautiful 😻 and had a very raw contralto singing voice. She’s tall, she got the looks and she can sing. She left this world way too soon. RIP Bessie.

Almost hundred years ago. It could have been filmed today. So good. So present. Dam it what a singer.

The only film of this most magical singer performing. Almost certainly recorded live and as a single track, the effortless ease of her performance is astonishing - she doesn't look like she's even trying very hard ! She was a truly wonderful vocalist and I will never tire of listening to her.

My God you can feel the sorrow and pain. This is the way music is supposed 2 b

@TheAutumnWind_RN4L

3 жыл бұрын

I have a lump in my throat and I don't even know why 🤷🏾‍♂️ Empathy, I suppose.

@Random_news999

2 жыл бұрын

2 b?

My grandmother was 19 yrs old 🤔😊 I love you grams rip thanks 4 instilling good values and good music in to me and our family 😊🙏🏽😌

@CJ-pz7dh

4 жыл бұрын

L/Crochet love child Bessie was your grandma?

@theterence20able

4 жыл бұрын

Pastor Martin No, she means that her grandmother introduced her to Bessie Smith. Her grandmother was 19 at this time era 1969.

@livefree1111

3 жыл бұрын

trey harris 1929

Janis Joplin has said Bessie was one of her biggest influences

@Grumpy-Bollocks

4 жыл бұрын

She actually thought she was a reincarnation of Bessie, but she was a drunk/junkie, so..

@GoogleUser-wy2vv

3 жыл бұрын

Probably .. respectfully I am not a fan of Janis Joplin. She just copied black women's voices and screamed and got a wide white audience for it. Note that she attracted all white audiences.

How wonderful that this priceless film has been preserved! Gives me a chill every time I watch it.

So good you could cry

My Grandmas year of birth..brought me here🌹1923🕊.

Tell me you have a past life in Missouri without telling me 🎉 Oh Goddess Bessie ❤👑

Singing the blues in a bar. Bessie is the queen of the blues hands down 👍💪🇱🇷☔.

I'd do anything to get this audio remastered. Could you imagine this sound with modern microphones

Damn. Just low down seconds in her voice. Greatest blues singer ever.

Yeah I'm going to start listening to her music. That was remarkable!

Ms Smith had THE voice. Pure emotion and control at the same time. Just heaven to listen to her.

Out of poverty the Blues was born, n out the Blues, came the present times song.

As a kid, when I heard it for the first time on the Encarta encyclopedia right around the 1:05 mark, I lost my mind. That raw blues voice was everything to me.

@znyznyzny

5 жыл бұрын

tbh I heard it on a song on the Kill Bill soundtrack and was obsessed with those opening vocals

@ajiteshlokhande2220

5 жыл бұрын

Josh Freilich saaaaameee i heard it on encarta too and had the same reaction

@westxlcr

4 жыл бұрын

That’s where I heard it too!

@sgraham1hotmailcom

4 жыл бұрын

Josh Freilich I heard it on a TV documentary which I think was named "All You Need Is Love" when I was 12. Never been able to get over it.

@jeremiahjangad5388

4 жыл бұрын

I also heard her for the first time on Encarta encyclopaedia.

Such an absolute QUEEN.

A NEVER TO BE FORGOTTEN MOMENT IN OUR NATIONS HISTORY. THIS LADY WAS SO GREAT IM HUMBLED. (1894-1937) THE EMPRESS OF THE BLUES.

I have listening the blues for about 60+ years - that does make me an expert, far from it. But in my world there is Miss Bessie at the top and everyone else ain't even close. I mean she is in another blues solar system.

This chorus sends chills up my spine. I love how the audience and the Empress of Blues interject back and forth; its illusory. LOVE this cat's style!

It's hard to imagine that my grandparents were once toddlers, during this time. Anyway, I had the pleasure of singing this in high school with my female ensemble. It was always one of my favorite songs to perform

@1SK.

9 ай бұрын

Yes my grandmother was 4 when this was made, God Bless Our Ancestors so so so Much. I thank God for them..

who's here after watching Ma Rainey's movie?

@donstarfinkel6456

3 жыл бұрын

Go watch Queen Latifa play Bessie on HBO.. The Queen killed it 👑❤

@gdes4063

3 жыл бұрын

I came here from a feature about Redd Foxx, what's the movie, mate? Much love from an Irish guy in Australia!

@MrCash-lm1xz

3 жыл бұрын

What does that movie have to do with anything

@MissPrissy124

3 жыл бұрын

@@gdes4063 it’s called Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom... it’s streaming on Netflix

@gdes4063

3 жыл бұрын

@@MissPrissy124 thanks a lot!

Pure talent!

The voice, the faith, the absolute perfection of soul.

the bartender should've been blessed by hearing her voice.

@gordonhennefer5074

2 жыл бұрын

The bartender is the lawyer Calhoun in the Amos n Andy television show in the early 1950's.

Thank God I stumble back across Jill Scott, which reminded me of sweet bessie smith. God bless her soul and let her music be discovered until the Lord returns

A Tennessee treasure, to be sure. No-I take that back...an American icon and treasure for the ages.

One of favs. What a voice.

Bessie sang the blues bared raw to the bone and with a dark undertone that no one else could match. She could make you feel it in your soul. An incredible talent.

The vibration of their voices... I have chills.

A Tennessee legend, RIP Bessie, thanks for changing music forever

1929, the sound quality has held up well. Thanks for sharing and thank you Bessie!

Such a raw, beautiful voice of her time. Rip Bessie

Love you, Bess. God bless you darling, you're my soul.

Her voice sounds really strong 🤍 ! It must've been so powerful to hear it in person!

Born and raised in St.Louis Missouri, I just give praise to God for My People . They are so strong , meaningful, and inspiring elements of this whole journey we all are on..

Who’s here after watching the movie! ??

Amazing, I love it. Bessie Smith was a important person and their voice will enchant until infinite

Still listening to this beauty!! 2020! Her voice is amazing!! Such a Beautiful being who lived and made the greatest songs of blues! ❤👏🏽

What a beautiful sound leaving this legend's pipes. Gold.

I was there! Killer show!!

I haven’t felt so much in years. The choir and lead vocals are crazy emotional together. I miss this lind of real in music.

Bessie é um alívio para minha dor. Sempre que estou triste escuto ela, é como que se eu ganhasse força através da força dela. Bessie, você foi uma mulher tão forte! Que bom que tua arte vive nesse mundo ♡

@joysanches5018

3 жыл бұрын

Eu espero que esses grandes músicas sejam lembrados pra sempre, principalmente com a ajuda da internet

@josechemastill1235

2 жыл бұрын

Irmao escuta o blues espanhol, que e o flamenco, escuta "el carbonerillo" ou "pepe pinto" vais ficar louco

Thank you for preserving this...

AMAZING

wow just bought a book on learning to play blues piano just discovered her in 2021

EMOCIONANTE!!!! QUE MARAVILLA!!!!

Wow, what voice! Powerful, somber, deep. Incredible! First time hearing Bessie Smith.

I never heard anything like this, I got goose pumps from the beginning to the end and i still have them just thinking about the song. if they called it the blues this is the real deal, it is like getting on a roller-coaster. just unbelievable the way she sings, the choir, the melody , everything..

ART

She bequeathed to us rock and roll music.

Beautiful voice!

@AngeloLuis22

Жыл бұрын

Did louis Armstrong knew this women?

one of the first superstars

She’s older than my great grandmother! Wow!!!

It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing. Bessie Smith : hold my beer.

@odawgdaking

4 жыл бұрын

Are you saying this got no swing?

@TheDepriecebradford

3 жыл бұрын

@@odawgdaking its a jazz saying meaning jazz is only thing we play/is cool. However, bessie sung the blues which is powerful on its own.

@odawgdaking

3 жыл бұрын

@@TheDepriecebradford that's not what the phrase means. The op comment made it sound like they were saying Bessie is not singin, i was just wondering if that's what they meant. It could also be that they mean she Really proving it don't mean a thing

@TheDepriecebradford

3 жыл бұрын

@@odawgdakingi didnt the best explanation of the phrase. If you knew the meaning already, its obvious the commenter was saying bessie was a great singer/entertainer and didnt need the "swing" in her music to be amazing.

So fab so real

Wow all of those souls are no longer on earth...

This is so beautiful, it feels like her words are piercing my heart. A shame this wasnt recorded with better audio quality

@MarinCipollina

3 жыл бұрын

It was recorded with state of the art equipment.. in 1929.

Beautiful woman singing a beautiful song. Studying African American Studies course this semester at Liberty University online at Lynchburg, VA. Was listening to Ma Rainey and came upon this video. My oldest daughter always plays this song so I am familiar with Bessie Smith. Awesome vocals she had and great performance.

First music video before there was ones. Pure Blues 💯

🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲 how talentful our music was.

Gorgeous!!!!!

A song feels me very calm to write my diary that a noise disturbed me outside from the window.

brought tears to me wow bless this lady

This voice and music is so so soul & beautiful, goose bumps and chills all over the body and vibration in the soul, what a spiritual and musical beauty ! Even the movie is astonishing. This is patrimony of humankind. Healing music that reconciles with all sorrows and pure love comming from heavens. The real roots of modern music.

She was really was the best blues singer of her time. Still love her music.

Amazing quality for something filmed almost 100 years ago!

whoever hit dislike is clearly just a contrarian

@beanee-weenee

4 жыл бұрын

By the time I'm watching this there's only ten dislikes and 1.3k likes lol, I liked the vid btw.

I was born in the seventies ..while this type of music by these strong female artist might have been very entertaining and uplifting at the time ...it sounds haunting and hollow to me ....before you shout at me I am black and happy to say the years that came later like the late 50's 60's and 70's the music was much better .