Interview with Bessie Jones about hearing her first blues

Audio file
Date recorded: September 26, 1961
Contributor(s): Performer: Lomax, Alan; Performer: Jones, Bessie; Recordist: Lomax, Alan
Subject(s):
Genre: interview/commentary
Culture: African American, Southern U.S.
Setting: Alan Lomax's apartment, 3rd Street
Location: New York City, New York, United States
Physical form: Reel to Reel
Tape number: T954
Track Number: 2
Archive ID: T954R02
Note: Jones recalls the first blues songs she heard, in 1914. When she was young, there were rags and reels. The Drafting Blues and Hesitation Blues are were the first blues she thinks of. Bessie Smith was one of the first professional singers she ever heard. Don't You Leave Me Here, Leave Me A Dime For Beer was considered a reel, and Shoo Along was called a breakdown.
Belongs to: New York City 9/61
About the session: The fourth of 21 recording sessions with Bessie Jones.
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