Topic: Ruby Walker (Ruby Smith) talks about life on the road with Bessie

[Chris A]

If you never had Volume 5 of Columbia's 5-box Bessie Smith series, you probably haven't heard Ruby Smith talk about her years on the road with Bessie Smith. I have just posted to my blog the first of seven excerpts. I hope you like what you hear, if you give it a try http://stomp-off.blogspot.com/2010/09/it-was-timely-call-i-received-from-sol.html

[Mr.OMuck]

Fantastic. Thanks.

[Chris A]

I have added another Ruby recollection, a brief one about domestic violence on the road.

[Chris A]

Please be advised that this 14-minute excerpt from Ruby Smith's recollections of her life on the road with Bessie Smith contains explicit language and description of intimacy that you might not want your children to hear.

http://stomp-off.blogspot.com/2010/09/ruby-tapes-3-running-from-jack.html

[Mr.OMuck]

Whoopie!

[Richard]

Excellent.

[unezrider]

that's classic!

[uncle bud]

Chris, thanks for sharing all of these recordings on your blog. Much appreciated and a tremendous resource.

[Chris A]

I have added to my blog Ruby Walker's taped account of the 1928 party she, Bessie Smith and Porter Grainger attended at the Carl Van Vechten residence. You may have read the account in my book, but nothing can beat Ruby telling the story in her own words.

[Chris A]

Ruby had her very own, engaging way of recollecting experiences. This is a good example of that. I have posted this on my blog, and here's the direct link.

[CF]

What a great series of interviews Chris, keep 'em coming! I remember a lot of these stories from my several readings of an old edition of BESSIE . . . still meaning to pick up your updated edition.

[Bunker Hill]

Ruby had her very own, engaging way of recollecting experiences. This is a good example of that. I have posted this on my blog, and here's the direct link.

What you have made available so far are captivating, informative and fascinating that I just can't wait for more.

I have in my possession the entire recorded interviews that Paul Oliver conducted in 1960. Although much of it can be read in Conversation With The Blues, in print it's 'bleak'.  Hearing the actual interaction between interviewer and interviewee, the thought processes of interviewee and his/her vocal "intonation" bring a totally new dimension. This is what I'm experiencing with the Ruby interviews, her infectious laugh could never be captured in the printed word.

[Rivers]

After checking with Chris A I've merged the 5 Ruby Walker topics into one, all the better to be able to find them. Thanks Chris!

[Chris A]

Here's another of Ruby's recollection. A bit on the racy side, it is about a boy in  the boat and an Empress in the bed. Not for the prudish or anybody's children.

Here is a direct link to Ruby's sobering experience in New Orleans http://stomp-off.blogspot.com/2010/10/ruby-sobering-experience-in-new-orleans.html.

[Chris A]

I just posted this to my blog http://stomp-off.blogspot.com/2011/06/visit-to-buffet-flat.html.