Bessie Smith : The Collection
Genre: Blues	Dates: 1920's - 1930's

The first giant blues star, with the equally towering Louis Armstrong accompanying on several tracks, including their legendary version of W. C. Handy's "St. Louis Blues." "You've Been a Good Ole Wagon" and "I Ain't Gonna Play No Second Fiddle" show Bessie was not a woman to be trifled with, and, in general, these songs are a testament to the strength, durability, and spirit of black women, if not all women.

Track Listing:

1. Downhearted Blues
2. Taint Nobody's Bizness If I Do
3. My Sweetie Went Away (She Didn't Say When Or Why)
4. Weeping Willow Blues
5. St. Louis Blues
6. Reckless Blues
7. You've Been A Good Ole Wagon
8. I Ain't Gonna Play No Second Fiddle
9. Young Woman's Blues
10. Muddy Water (A Mississippi Moan)
11. Mean Old Bedbug Blues
12. Empty Bed Blues (parts 1 and 2)
13. Nobody Knows When You're Down And Out
14. Black Mountain Blues
15. Do Your Duty
16. Gimme A Pigfoot