After a series of early bluesmen, it's time to sprinkle some attention on the first true star of of the blues crossing into jazz, who not only mixed a little dirt into her powerful voice, but also into her lyrics. Bessie Smith (1894-1937) was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and, while having a baptist upbringing where she learned to sing, brought more grit to her talent by busking with her brother Andrew on the streets of Chattanooga. But gradually, through the songwriting skills of WC Handy, among others, she became a huge star on Broadway in film, her songs covering the suffering of the Depression era, racial prejudice, and also no shortage, with her bisexual lifestyle, of dirty lyrics that hovered between religious repression and lust. First up, life's up and down expressed through her passionate voice are accompanied by Clarence Williams on piano and Ed Allen on cornet in Jimmy Cox's Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out.
Once I lived the life of a millionaire
Spending my money, I didn't care
I carried my friends out for a good time
Buying bootleg liquor, champagne and wine
Then I began to fall so low
I didn't have a friend, and no place to go
So if I ever get my hand on a dollar again
I'm gonna hold on to it till them eagle's grin
Nobody knows you when you down and out
In my pocket not one penny
And my friends I haven't any
But If I ever get on my feet again
Then I'll meet my long lost friend
It's mighty strange, without a doubt
Nobody knows you when you down and out
I mean when you down and out
Mmm, when you're down and out
Mmm, not one penny
And my friends I haven't any
Mmm, well I felt so low
Nobody wants me round their door
Mmm, without a doubt
No man can use you wen you down and out
I mean when you down and out.
Next up, no shortage of lonely innuendo in this richly filthy classic by Clarence Williams, Tim Brymn and Dally Small:
Tired of bein' lonely, tired of bein' blue
I wished I had some good man, to tell my troubles to
Seem like the whole world's wrong
Since my man's been gone
I need a little sugar in my bowl
I need a little hot dog on my roll
I can stand a bit of lovin', oh so bad
I feel so funny, I feel so sad
I need a little steam-heat on my floor
Maybe I can fix things up, so they'll go
What's the matter hard papa
Come on and save your mama's soul
'Cause I need a little sugar, in my bowl, doggone it
I need a some sugar in my bowl
I need a little sugar in my bowl
I need a little hot dog between my rolls
You gettin' different, I've been told
Move your finger, drop something in my bowl
I need a little steam-heat on my floor
Maybe I can fix things up, so they'll go
Get off your knees, I can't see what you're drivin' at
It's dark down there looks like a snake!
C'mon here and drop somethin' here in my bowl
Stop your foolin' and drop somethin' in my bowl.
And finally, this vivid tale of going down below, as it were, written by Spencer Williams:
Had a dream last night
That I was dead
Had a dream last night
That I was dead
Evil spirits
All around my bed
The devil came
And grabbed my hand
The devil came
And grabbed my hand
Took me way down
To that red hot land
Mean blues spirits
Stuck their forks in me
Mean blues spirits
Stuck their forks in me
Made me moan
And groan in misery
Fairies and dragons
Spitting out blue flames
Fairies and dragons
Spitting out blue flames
Showing their teeth
For they was glad I came
Demons with their eyelash
Dripping blood
Demons with their eyelash
Dripping blood
Dragging sinners
To their brimstone flood
"This is hell", I cried
Cried with all my might
"This is hell", I cried
Cried with all my might
Oh, my soul
I can't bear the sight
Started running
'Cause it is my cup
Started running
'Cause it is my cup
Run so fast
Till someone woke me up
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