Browsing: Bessie Smith

Bessie Smith, “The Last Waltz”, JIMI HENDRIX!!! This Week in Blues Past is packed FULL of killer blues!

Discover milestone births, some touching memorials, an incredible Piedmont Blues recording session,

This is the first time Smith’s life will be portrayed in film.

“Easy Rider” is one of the most common themes in the blues. Now find out exactly what it means and why!

To conjure, one of the African cultural survivals very early noted in the New World, was mystical and required religious rituals. Discover it’s meaning in the blues!

To be cold in hand is an expression from the 1930s that’s been popular in blues, including by Bessie Smith, Bukka White, Big Bill Broonzy and more! Find out what it means!

Coffee grinding is one of many (many!) blues metaphors for sexual intercourse.

From the early 1900s to the 1930s, certain speakeasies/brothels in African American urban communities were known as “buffet flats.” Discover the bawdy, wild hidden meanings behind this word!

This is the grand return of our weekly series, The Language of the Blues, exploring the meaning and significance of unique words used in the blues!

“balling the jack” a popular phrase from blues songs, rail yards, dance halls, and even Harlem plays and eventually the silver screen! Find all about “Balling the Jack”!