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If you noticed blunt omissions, mis-interpretations or even out-and-out errors,
please let me know:
Arnold Rypens
Rozenlaan 65
B-2840 Reet (Rumst)
Artist: Alberta Hunter
Author: Alberta Hunter/Lovie Austin
Label: Paramount
Year: 1922
Covers:
Bessie Smith [her debut recording with Storyville-vet Clarence Williams on piano; a blues hit dwarfing Mamie Smith's Crazy Blues (see also: Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out)]
Noble Sissle & Eubie Blake [top 20 US]
Teddy Grace [early white cover]
Count Basie [vocal: Teresa Brewer]
Queen Latifah [in film Bessie]
Clarence Williams who owned the publishing, tied Bessie to Columbia with him as her manager for 50% of her revenues. Once she realized the consequences, her boyfriend managed to fix a better deal at gunpoint. There are more stories like that in music business, alas. Not to be confused with Son House's Down Hearted Blues, covered by Rory Block.
If you noticed blunt omissions, mis-interpretations or even out-and-out errors,
please let me know:
Arnold Rypens
Rozenlaan 65
B-2840 Reet (Rumst)