• Dinah Washington’s bluesy style was quite different from the legendary Bessie Smith, the “Empress of the Blues”, by virtue of her forceful vocal delivery and command of the genre. Dinah’s way had constant, direct reference to gospel singing. Bessie’s, of course, did not.
• However Dinah sings excellently, with respect and understanding, and with that wondrous electric vitality that established her as a peerless blues singer, known as the “Queen of Blues.”
• This fine set also includes nine bonus tracks : three more tracks recorded during the ‘Sings Bessie’ session, plus Dinah’s wailing performances on the final night of the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival, with the singer paying deep tribute to Bessie Smith in the most moving fashion.
• Personnel : Dinah Washington, vocals, with the Eddie Chamblee Orchestra : Clark Terry, Fip Ricard (tp), Quentin Jackson, Julian Priester (tb), Eddie Chamblee (ts), McKinley Easton, Charles Davis (bars), James Craig, Jack Wilson (p), Robare Edmondson, Robert Lee Wilson (b), James Slaughter (d), Robare Edmondson, Ernie Wilkins (arrangements) - recorded Chicago, 1957-1958. At Newport 1958 : Don Elliott (mellophone), Blue Mitchell (tp), Melba Liston (tb, arr), Urbie Green (tb), Harold Ousley (ts), Sahib Shihab (bars), Wynton Kelly (p), Paul West (b), Max Roach (d), Terry Gibbs (vb). |
