Legacy Recordings announced the digital release of Bessie on Tuesday, May 12.
The official soundtrack for the upcoming HBO film will also be released on CD on Tuesday, June 2. Bessie (Music from the HBO Film) debuts seven new Queen Latifah performances including “Young Woman Blues,” “Preachin’ The Blues,” “Long Old Road,” “Down Hearted Blues,” “Work House Blues,” “Weepin’Woman Blues” (a duet with vocalist Pat Bass) and “Gimme A Pigfoot and A Bottle Of Beer (2015 Remix).”
“This is a project that has been close to my heart for many years….to not only star as Bessie Smith but to also produce the film and the soundtrack is a dream for me. Recording this music was an incredible journey and I am proud to be a part of it all,” Queen Latifah said in a statement.
Full tracklist below:
1) Young Woman’s 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 – Queen Latifah & Pat Bass
6) See See Rider – Tamar-kali
7) Ballin’ The Jack – Kid Ory’s Creole Jazz Band
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
Today as a part of the “Bessie’s 81 Theatre Tour” Bryan Michael Cox and songwriter Stacy Barthe participated in a private workshop for aspiring singer / songwriters. Bryan spoke about the difference between beat making and producing. He reflected on the hard work it takes to succeed in the business. He advised the producers to build a name for themselves by discovering new talents and working exclusively with them to promote their music because the landscape of the music industry has changed. Record labels and publishing firms want to pursue musicians that have established a fan base or a great catalogue, therefore it is up to the producers to ensure that themselves. “Your creativity is your intellectual property. Don’t sell yourself short. You might be taking a step forward to take ten steps backward. Learn your business,” he shared. The evening culminated with a music showcase with acts Deva Mahal, Gabriel Garzón-Montano, Adeline Michèle and Phony Ppl.
Bessie premieres May 16.
-Shaina411
