Legacy Recordings has announced a soundtrack album for the HBO original movie Bessie. The album features the songs from the film, including seven new Queen Latifah performances, a postmodern reworking of Bessie Smith’s original recording featuring newly recorded vocals, as well as modern performances of blues, jazz and swing classics performed by Tamar-Kali, Cécile McLorin Salvant; and two new instrumental arrangements from Vince Giordano & The Nighthawks. Also included are period recordings from Fats Waller & His Rhythm, Louis Armstrong & His Orchestra, Sippie Wallace and Kid Ory’s Creole Orchestra (“Ballin’ The Jack”). The soundtrack will be released digitally on May 12, 2015 and physically on June 2. Visit Amazon to pre-order the CD. Bessie is directed by Dee Rees and stars Queen Latifah, Michael Kenneth Williams, Khandi Alexander, Mike Epps, Tika Sumpter, Tory Kittles, Oliver Platt, Bryan Greenberg, Charles S. Dutton and Mo’Nique. The movie scored by Rachel Portman about legendary blues singer Bessie Smith and her transformation from a struggling young singer into “The Empress of the Blues” will premiere on May 16 on HBO. Visit the official movie website for updates.
Here’s the album track list:
1. Young Woman Blues – Queen Latifah
2. Hot Time In The Old Town – Vince Giordano & The Nighthawks
3. Prove It On Me – Carmen Twillie
4. Weary Blues – Louis Armstrong & His Hot Seven
5. Weepin’ Woman Blues – Pat Bass & Queen Latifah
6. See See Rider – Tamar-Kali
7. Ballin’ The Jack – Kid Ory’s Creole Orchestra
8. Down Hearted Blues – Queen Latifah
9. A Good Man Is Hard to Find – Fats Waller & His Rhythm
10. Preachin’ The Blues – Queen Latifah
11. I’ve Got What It Takes (But It Breaks My Heart To Give It Away) – Vince Giordano & The Nighthawks
12. Work House Blues – Queen Latifah
13. I’m a Mighty Tight Woman – Sippie Wallace
14. (What Did I Do to Be So) Black and Blue – Louis Armstrong And His Orchestra
15. Laugh, Clown, Laugh – Cécile McLorin Salvant
16. Long Old Road – Queen Latifah
17. Gimme A Pigfoot and A Bottle of Beer (2015 Remix) – Bessie Smith featuring Queen Latifah
Why no Rachel Portman? As I recall, the last time there was an HBO biopic about a legendary songstress (“Introducing Dorothy Dandridge”) they managed to find room for a few Elmer Bernstein cues.