I love Bessie Smith. I bought my first Bessie Smith tapes (a box set) in 1997 on my first-ever trip to NYC, at one of those little bookstores in lower Manhattan that had only remaindered books and music.
That's great to hear! I think it's just that I am endlessly curious and obsessive about music. I have to know about all of it. I go through people's last fm tracks played and find things I've never heard of, because it bothers me that I don't know about anything that could be great.
Love the twist that this is turning into radio programming.
About a year ago I heard an hour long documentary on Wisconsin Public Radio about Bessie Smith and yet I learned so much more reading this essay.... THANKS
What a lovely compliment Jill, thank you. Her life story is so interesting and I left out so many details that most people usually cover. I just talked about a slice of her legacy that doesn't get talked about enough. I appreciate your support!
Loved this. On a personal note… wow, I’m sorry you got laid off after 19 years! I also started my newsletter to “keep busy” after getting laid off in 2022. 🍻
What a fortuitous tarot reading. That is so cool!
I love Bessie Smith. I bought my first Bessie Smith tapes (a box set) in 1997 on my first-ever trip to NYC, at one of those little bookstores in lower Manhattan that had only remaindered books and music.
I'm increasingly convinced that your music collection is elite.
That's great to hear! I think it's just that I am endlessly curious and obsessive about music. I have to know about all of it. I go through people's last fm tracks played and find things I've never heard of, because it bothers me that I don't know about anything that could be great.
Love the twist that this is turning into radio programming.
About a year ago I heard an hour long documentary on Wisconsin Public Radio about Bessie Smith and yet I learned so much more reading this essay.... THANKS
What a lovely compliment Jill, thank you. Her life story is so interesting and I left out so many details that most people usually cover. I just talked about a slice of her legacy that doesn't get talked about enough. I appreciate your support!
Hell yes! Thank you!
From the musical lineage perspective, I was thinking about Brittany Howard as I was reading this piece.
Great thought Marcus! Absolutely Brittany Howard!
Loved this. On a personal note… wow, I’m sorry you got laid off after 19 years! I also started my newsletter to “keep busy” after getting laid off in 2022. 🍻
You’re doing fantastic work here.
Thank you so much Adam. ❤️❤️