We continue our coverage of Bessie Smith by looking at her early life and discussing how her raw talent provided the impetus to make her the most famous of all blues singers, the ‘Empress’ of the Blues. It also covers the time period when the blues grew to become the most famous and commercially viable style of its time. For comparison’s sake we also listen to a few of her contemporaries, including Ma Rainey, Ida Cox and Eva Taylor.

Here’s a list of songs featured in today’s program. All are by Bessie Smith unless indicated otherwise;

My Sweetie Went Away

'Tain’t Nobody’s Business if I Do

Weeping Willow Blues

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom – Ma Rainey

Outside of That

Wild Women Don’t Have the Blues – Ida Cox

West End Blues – Eva Taylor

Cemetery Blues

Sinful Blues

You’ve Been a Good Ole Wagon

The St. Louis Blues