She was confident and fearless on stage and her songs were as bold as she was. She was passionate when she sang, and her audiences perceived this passion. As far as jazz, blues, and popular music are concerned, Bessie Smith and according to Friedwald, “was the first fully three- dimensional recording artist, the first to use the new medium to express a complete personality” (Friedwald 20).
Her Work with Armstrong
In 1924 and 1925, Smith went back to New York and worked with Louis Armstrong and created nine hit records. Some of their best work included “St. Louis Blues,” and “You’ve Been a Good Old Wagon.” Even though she worked with Armstrong, Friedwald confirms, “[she] doesn’t need the presence of Armstrong or his colleagues to justify our listening to her music” (Friedwald 27). While most women in the music industry during that time depended on men to succeed, Bessie was the one artist whose work justified the entire style.
Decline and Revival
As the economy started to slow and the Great Depression happened, Smith’s career also was affected. Because of the bad economy, recording companies could not stay in business and Smith had to stop recording. Manera indicates that, “Smith’s passion helped her to sing and write from the heart despite the setback” (Manera 25).
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