Description

Book Synopsis

A BBC RADIO 4 BOOK OF THE WEEK

Bessie Smith: singer, icon, pioneer.

Scotland''s National Poet Jackie Kay brings to life the tempestuous story of the greatest blues singer who ever lived.

''A gem of a book . . . beautiful.'' BERNARDINE EVARISTO
''A wonderful writer on a magnificent singer.'' ROBERT WYATT
''Kay's book is the amplifier that Smith's voice deserves.'' SUNDAY TIMES
''The most vivid evocation of Bessie Smith I have ever read.'' IAN CARR, BBC MUSIC

BESSIE SMITH was born in Tennessee in 1894. Orphaned by the age of nine, she sang on street corners before becoming a big name in travelling shows. In 1923 she made her first recording for a new start-up called Columbia Records. It sold 780,000 copies and made her a star. Smith's life was notoriously difficult: she drank pints of bathtub gin', got into violent fist fights, spent huge sums of money and had

Table of Contents
'A passionate, personal, imaginative insight in to Bessie's art' - Daily Mail

'Kay has paid her [Bessie Smith] true and heartfelt homage' - Daily Telegraph

Bessie Smith A RADIO 4 BOOK OF THE WEEK

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    A Paperback / softback by Jackie Kay

    £10.44

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    RRP £10.99 – you save £0.55 (5%)

    Order before 4pm tomorrow for delivery by Tue 25 Aug 2026.

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      Book details

      Publisher Faber & Faber
      Published 18 February 2021
      ISBN-13 9780571362929
      978-0571362929
      ISBN-10 0571362923
      Also in:
      Biography Biography: arts and entertainment Entertainment Music reviews and criticism Musicians, singers, bands and groups

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      A BBC RADIO 4 BOOK OF THE WEEK

      Bessie Smith: singer, icon, pioneer.

      Scotland''s National Poet Jackie Kay brings to life the tempestuous story of the greatest blues singer who ever lived.

      ''A gem of a book . . . beautiful.'' BERNARDINE EVARISTO
      ''A wonderful writer on a magnificent singer.'' ROBERT WYATT
      ''Kay's book is the amplifier that Smith's voice deserves.'' SUNDAY TIMES
      ''The most vivid evocation of Bessie Smith I have ever read.'' IAN CARR, BBC MUSIC

      BESSIE SMITH was born in Tennessee in 1894. Orphaned by the age of nine, she sang on street corners before becoming a big name in travelling shows. In 1923 she made her first recording for a new start-up called Columbia Records. It sold 780,000 copies and made her a star. Smith's life was notoriously difficult: she drank pints of bathtub gin', got into violent fist fights, spent huge sums of money and had

      Table of Contents
      'A passionate, personal, imaginative insight in to Bessie's art' - Daily Mail

      'Kay has paid her [Bessie Smith] true and heartfelt homage' - Daily Telegraph

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