Bessie Smith dominated what has become known as 'classicblues'. Living every day as though it were her last was hardlyconducive to a long life, but it gave the singer experience ofsuffering which she brought out in her singing. Not that Bessiewas lacking in humour; the recordings of more comic materialare every bit as red blooded as her articulation of disillusionmentand hurt.

• 1. Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out
• 2. Downhearted Blues
• 3. Gulf Coast Blues
• 4. Gimme a Pigfoot (and a Bottle of Beer)
• 5. Aggravatin' Papa
• 6. Baby Won't You Please Come Home
• 7. T'ain't Nobody's Biz-Ness If I Do
• 8. Gin House Blues
• 9. St. Louis Blues
• 10. Alexander's Ragtime Band
• 11. I Ain't Gonna Play No Second Fiddle
• 12. Empty Bed Blues (Parts 1 & 2)
• 13. After You've Gone
• 14. Careless Love Blues
• 15. A Good Man is Hard To Find
• 16. Hard Driving Papa