CD - Bessie Smith: Sweet Mistreater

This is the first in the Blue Orchid label's 'Heritage Of The Blues' series. Shades of Blue has the Columbia vinyl doubles from Bessie and to hear the same recordings digitally remastered by Blue Orchid is a revelation. Without losing any of the intimacy of the original recordings, the tracks have taken on a clarity and presence that just weren't available before. Bessie is one of the Shades favourite 'blues pioneers' and you can find some of her best material on this double CD.

48 tracks spanning the period 1923 - 33, including Smith staples such as 'Any Woman Blues', 'Sweet Mistreater', 'Need A Little Sugar In My Bowl', 'My Man Blues' and 'Rocking Chair Blues' - what's not to like?

This is an extremely well packaged collection with excellent liner notes by Chris White, and detailed recording information (where known). Future releases of special note for Shades visitors include T-Bone Walker, Leadbelly, Fats Domino, Amos Milburn and Charles Brown. Should be a series of reissues to keep an eye out for.

August 2005