Opera: Battleground of the arts; Singing actors

The negro music and American. Negro music in America are an exploration of it and its impact on American culture. Here is your host for the survey's Tony look at Vox Bessie Smith was known as the Empress of the blues a protege of mine Rainey who found her as a 13 or 14 year old youngster in Tennessee and schooled her as she toured the South and minstrel in 10 shows. Bessie had the same glorious combination that Ma did. A great voice with a natural follower with the richness and versatility of great personality. Her records appeared early in the 20s and Bessie's earnings grew at a fantastic rate until the Depression came along. She was injured in an automobile accident in September of 1937. She was taken to a hospital with some white people who had also been heard two stories or told about her death. She was ignored while white patients were being

treated. Secondly she was refused admission to the hospital and then bled to death. Those whose memory will live as long as her records can be heard. The rich vital or the commanding magic of her voice rises even above the limited recording facilities every day. As you listen to her. Imagine how she would sound recorded with today's equipment. This is first close as a passionate Bell into the Kentucky mountains taken by the negroes and made into a bittersweet blues of the utmost sadness the careless love blues sung by Bessie Smith was Louis Armstrong on cornet Charlie Green on trombone and Fletcher Henderson on piano. This was recorded on May 26 of 1925. You're. Sure.

Sure.

One evening on Bourbon Street in New Orleans we walked into Dixieland hall to hear some

traditional jazz. I was bowled over by the blues singing of a vocalist named Blanche Thomas. I had never heard it before and as I watched and listened I was reminded a little of Bessie Smith because of the huge voice and his timbre. Here's a treat for you. Blanche's version of Karen is Love recorded forty years after Bessie's Blanche is accompanied by a fine group of New Orleans musicians Careless Love. He. Said.

Nothing. I. Know. Yeah yeah. One of the greatest recordings Bessie Smith ever made is one that had a great personal meaning to her

recorded on May 25th 1929 with Ed Allen on cornet Clarence Williams on piano and Cyrus St. Clair and to this he sings Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out. Do. You.

Want. I was in and my. Home.

Was. Home. There was not one thing. Yeah and my friend and. I was known. With. No men in you when you. For your last know our last number we again present Blanche Thomas singing a din Benelli

blows that was popular in the 30s. A great version of them my blood. You know my home. My Blues in nice teeth in my. City in my youth. If you actually listen to some instrumental blues where the music is sung by the horns

instead of the voices. For. Negro music in America I was going to look at Bach. The president transcribed by the SEIU Radio Network. Got to get into next week as we continue our exploration of the negro and American music. This program was distributed by national educational radio. This is national educational radio network.