Times Literary Supplement (London) likes Bessie

This is shameless self-promotion, a review of my Bessie Smith biography from the Times Literary Supplement (London).

Friday 7, May 2004

Biography
Chris Albertson
BESSIE
314pp. Yale University Press. £19.95
(US $29.95)
0 300 09902 9

In the epilogue to this revised and expanded edition of his biography of Bessie Smith, Chris Albertson quotes Warner Brothers' reader's report on the original edition published in 1972: "Bessie Smith was not on drugs, and this is not the five-handkerchief stuff that Lady Sings the Blues is made of”. Nevertheless, there was considerable film interest, in the wake of Diana Ross's impersonation of Billie Holiday, with Dionne Warwick, Cicely Tyson and Roberta Flack considered for separate projects, one of which got off the ground. As the proprietary guardian of the flame, Albertson seems caught between disappointment and relief, confident that his vivid account of Smith's career as a heavyweight "rambunctious diva" would make a great screen biography, but dismissive of all Hollywood's attempts to produce a jazz-related film that does its subject justice.

Seeking justice for Bessie has been a life's work for Albertson, and this reissue is greatly to be welcomed. In many ways an exemplary biography, it charts its subject's development as a artist, placing considerable emphasis on the degree to which, at the time of her death in a road accident (inaccurately mythologized by John Hammond's sensationalist report in Down Beat, 1937, and perpetuated by Edward Albee's 1960 play The Death of Bessie Smith), she was in the process of re-establishing herself as a performer and extending her repertoire well beyond the recorded legacy of the blues on which her reputation rests and which Albertson analyses with informed appreciation.

Relating the events of Bessie's wayward, often violent, private life, her experience of racism when on tour and her dealings with those who sought to get the better of her either by patronizing or by carelessly lighting her dangerously short fuse, Albertson comes up with plenty of five-handkerchief stuff--though in this case, the handkerchiefs are mainly needed to mop up the blood, much of it shed by Bessie herself. With the collaboration of interviewees, chief among whom is Ruby Walker Smith--Bessie's niece by marriage, who regularly accompanied her on tour and whose stories, by his own delighted admission, left him numb on his side of the microphone--Albertson achieves a gripping, often moving, narrative. Ruby died in 1977 and, given the amount of Bessie which is recounted in her own words, it comes as no surprise to read in the acknowledgements that without her phenomenal memory and gift for storytelling this book could not have been written.
JOHN MOLE

[Richardo Caerleoni]

Chris...from the BBC's forthcoming programme schedule...I'm sure you're aware of it, but I've only just noticed it!

V. Best - Richard.


Empress Of The Blues Ep 1/6
9.30-10.00pm
BBC RADIO 2 Tuesday 1 June 2004

For over 60 years, George Melly has had an enduring love affair with
blues singer Bessie Smith and, through these six new programmes,
he reassesses her enduring contribution to modern music.


With the help of her biographer Chris Albertson, and rare archive
material, George also helps to disentangle some of the legends and
untruths that still surround Bessie’s colourful life.

Contributors include Bill Wyman; Ottilie Patterson; playwright
Edward Albee; and expert Dalton Roberts at the Bessie Smith
Memorial Hall in her birthplace, Chattanooga. There is also a full
interview with “the Rat”, the man who owns the hotel that was
once the hospital where Bessie died.

Considered one of the greatest blues singers of all time, Bessie
Smith, in many ways, was also the most tragic. Her story is one of
early phenomenal success followed by career doldrums, with a
resurgence of interest in her cut short by her death at 43.

She was killed in an automobile accident in 1937, which was
misreported and led to the myths which persist to this day: that
Bessie was taken to a white hospital, where she was refused entry,
and that the extra time it took to transport her to a black hospital
contributed to her death.

Bessie created many definitive versions of such blues and jazz
standards as St Louis Blues (accompanied by Louis Armstrong) and
the risqué Empty Bed Blues and Kitchen Man, as well as Alexander’s
Ragtime Band and After You’ve Gone.

She herself wrote many lyrics that reflected her bitter-sweet life.
Other artists have performed her material over the years and still
sing much of it today, including George, who explores its appeal.

Presenter/George Melly, Producer/Neil Rosser

BBC Radio 2 Publicity

[Sand]

Congratulations! It's such a treat to get a good review, not only for the author, but also for others who have been involved in the production of a book. A happy and long life to you and your the new edition of the book. Break a leg!

This John Mole, who is he? I'm just asking, because I have a CD by Stan Tracey that was on the Mole label, if I remember it correctly. For all I know, half of the jazz audience in England are "Moles".

[Richardo Caerleoni]

Originally Posted by Sand

This John Mole, who is he? I'm just asking, because I have a CD by Stan Tracey that was on the Mole label, if I remember it correctly. For all I know, half of the jazz audience in England are "Moles".

Not sure about "John Mole", but Mole Jazz is a Jazz Record Shop in London (not too far from Ronnie's). They recorded Stan Tracy, Mike Westbrook etc., and particularly, a great Art Pepper set, "Blues for the Fisherman" - Live at Ronnie Scott’s. I'm not sure if they still record but they do a lot of mail order (rare – new and s/h) jazz on vinyl and CD... worth checking out. Plugs over!

Best RC. [not a fully Danish Mole,...but "getting there" - (c) Mose Allison]

Thank you Sand and Richard. The BBC works fast, they were just here to interiew me (for 5 hours) about a week ago! I appreciate the post, Richard--I had not seen it.

[Roz R]

Chris A,

I just bought the updated Bio of Bessie Smith. You mention past attempts to make a movie of Smith's life, which fell through.

What about Queen Latifah playing Bessie? I think she'd be perfect. Is anyone working on that possibility now? I have the address of Latifah's production company in Jersey City if you don't have it already.

Hollywood is famous for copying anything successful. With the success of Ray, biopix about black blues singers should start sprouting up in movie theaters across the country. Is there any way to make sure one done on Bessie is done right?

Your fan (I mostly agree with you on Bush, too),

Roz Rogoff

[bluenoter]

Hi, Roz--

Welcome to JC! Chris A has stopped posting here (don't ask). He posts as Christiern at this board. They have a Private Message system, but it's a little hard to find; it's under My Controls (or some such).

However, he might lurk here and see your message.

--Rita

Originally Posted by Roz R

Chris A,

I just bought the updated Bio of Bessie Smith. You mention past attempts to make a movie of Smith's life, which fell through.

What about Queen Latifah playing Bessie? I think she'd be perfect. Is anyone working on that possibility now? I have the address of Latifah's production company in Jersey City if you don't have it already.

Hollywood is famous for copying anything successful. With the success of Ray, biopix about black blues singers should start sprouting up in movie theaters across the country. Is there any way to make sure one done on Bessie is done right?

Your fan (I mostly agree with you on Bush, too),

Roz Rogoff

[Roz R]

I saw a message from Chris A., where he said he was leaving the group, but that was after I posted my message. I checked your other forum, and it looks good.

I'm into small group jazz and swing. I used to collect 78s from the twenties and thirties. I had a few early Bessie Smith records, but I wasn't into blues singers then. I've listened to reissues of Bessie's later recordings, 1927-33, and I'm more interested in her now.

Chris' bio of Bessie Smith is excellent, but not the first realistic jazz biography. I read Mezz Mezzrow's autobiography, Really the Blues, in the mid-1960's. I thought that it would make a good movie too, and phoned the publisher about it. William Goldman had an option on it then as I recall, but nothing ever happened.

Roz

[chuckyd4]

I know Chris often mentioned that Queen Latifah had once done a screen test for the part of Bessie, and he thought it went very well. I'm sure he could tell you more.

[Richardo Caerleoni]

Be great to see Chris back?

Just a thought.



RC.

[bluenoter]

Originally Posted by Roz R

I saw a message from Chris A., where he said he was leaving the group, but that was after I posted my message. I checked your other forum, and it looks good.

Roz--

I hope you stick around here at JC too! Early jazz isn't discussed here very often, but when someone raises the subject (which you always could!), knowledgeable, enthusiastic posters chime in.

[Roz R]

I reached Chris on the other board. He told me he'd like Latifah to play Bessie too, but Horton Foote owns the movie rights and wants to use his script which Chris considers too old fashioned. So that's where it's at right now. Thanks for the link.

Roz

[Groovie]

[QUOTE=Roz R]I reached Chris on the other board. He told me he'd like Latifah to play Bessie too, but Horton Foote owns the movie rights and wants to use his script which Chris considers too old fashioned. So that's where it's at right now. Thanks for the link.

Roz[/QUOTE

I would like to see Chris in drag with blackface playing Bessie. Wynton doing the score, and Phil Schapp writing the screen play. It couldn't miss!!!!

[chuckyd4]

Warning, folks, you have just been visited by a:

[Groovie]

Originally Posted by chuckyd4

Warning, folks, you have just been visited by a:

chukyd4

You certainly don't look like a troll from your photo.