A program about blues singer Bessie Smith (1894 – 1937), with many examples of her music and readings from three texts about Smith. Presented by Fleur Helsingor and Jane Ayres. Produced by Renee Roatcap. Self-contained. Contents: 1. Gulf Coast Blues; 2. Aggravatin’ Papa; 3. Program intro and first reading by Helsingor about Bessie Smith; 4. Fankie Blues; 5. Moonshine Blues; 6. Empty Bed Blues; 7. Put it Right Here; 8. Second reading from Chris Albertson’s biography of Smith, “Bessie” (Stein & Day, 1972); 9. Please Help Me; 10. Me and My Gin; 11. Moan You Mourners; 12. Third reading from a Jazz Record magazine article about Bessie Smith from September 1947; Shipwreck Blues; 13. Third reading; 14. Gimme a Pigfoot; 15. Take Me for a Buggy Ride; 16. Down in the Dumps; 17. Program outro. 18. Ballad of Bessie Smith. Master Joan Medlin.
Singer Bessie Smith (Episode 21)
PRA Archive #:
AZ1132.21
Date Recorded On:
November 13, 1976
Date Broadcast On:
KPFA, November 13, 1976
Item Duration:
1 reel (58 min.) : 7 1/2 ips, mono.
Total Duration (All Reels):
RESTRICTED. Permissions, licensing requests, Curriculum Initiative, Campus Campaign and all other inquiries should be directed to: Mark Torres, Archives Director, 800-735-0230, Mark@PacificaRadioArchives.org
Availability Notice:
This recording has been digitally preserved as part of Pacifica’s American Women Making History and Culture: 1963-1982 grant preservation project, and is available for research and reference . Please contact the archives via telephone: 818-506-1077 or email: americanwomen at pacificaradioarchives dot org for information on how to obtain a copy of this program. Thank you.
- pbcoreIdentifier
- PRA Archive #: AZ1132.21
- pbcoreTitle
- Episode: Singer Bessie Smith (Episode 21)
- Series: Focus on women composers
- pbcoreRightsSummary
- rightsSummary
RESTRICTED. Permissions, licensing requests, Curriculum Initiative, Campus Campaign and all other inquiries should be directed to: Mark Torres, Archives Director, 800-735-0230, Mark@PacificaRadioArchives.org
- rightsSummary
- pbcorePublisher
- Distributor: Los Angeles : Pacifica Radio Archives, 1976
- pbcoreContributor
- Producer: Fleur Helsingor
- Presenter: Jane Ayres
- Producer: Renee Roatcap
- Producer: Joan Medlin