Down Hearted Blues / Gulf Coast Blues

by Bessie Smith

Down Hearted Blues / Gulf Coast Blues cover art
  • Type: Single
  • Released: May 1923
  • Label: Columbia
  • Country: United States
  • Community rating: 3.62/5 from 2 ratings

Album Notes & Community Reviews

Functioning as the phenomenal debut recording of the eventual 'Empress of the Blues', this massively successful single literally saved its struggling record label from bankruptcy. The incredibly powerful, depressive vocal projection masterfully defined the standard for female classic blues singers of the era.

Genres

Descriptors: acoustic, breakup, melodic

Tracklist

  1. Down Hearted Blues (3:26)
  2. Gulf Coast Blues (3:04)

Credits

  • Bessie Smith - primary artist
  • Clarence Williams - piano, written-by
  • Alberta Hunter - written-by
  • Lovie Austin - written-by

More from Bessie Smith: full discography