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Roots Monday: Bessie Smith – “Gimme a Pigfoot (And a Bottle of Beer)”

By "Radical" Russ Belville on January 30, 2012

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Bessie Smith was born in 1892 or 1894, depending on which census you believe, and became a member of the Blues, Big Band and Jazz, and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame in the 1980s.  By 1912 she was performing on stage and by 1923 began a recording career.  Soon she had hits with “Crazy Blues” and follow-ups, “Gulf Coast Blues” and “Downhearted Blues”.

As the Swing Era began, Bessie Smith adapted and recorded with some of the best musicians of the day, including Louis Armstrong and Benny Goodman, who appears on this recording she made for Okeh Records in 1933.  She was paid $37.50 to sing on this record called “Gimme a Pigfoot (And a Bottle of Beer)”, but as was common back in the day, “pigfoot” is being used as a code for “reefer”.

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I am the producer of The NORML Network, the host of the NORML SHOW LIVE and The NORML Stash Blog, and NORML's Outreach Coordinator. I'm married, live in Portland, Oregon, and I am a registered medical marijuana caregiver in this state. I've worked days as an IT geek and nights as a professional musician. Previously, I have been the host of my own political talk radio show on satellite radio. I've been the High Times "Freedom Fighter of the Month" and I travel across the country to educate people on marijuana reform. I've dedicated my life to bringing an end to adult marijuana prohibition and re-legalizing cannabis hemp, and I'm honored to be chosen by NORML to give voice to the Marijuana Nation and to speak for those who can't speak up.

3 responses to “Roots Monday: Bessie Smith – “Gimme a Pigfoot (And a Bottle of Beer)””

  1. NORML SHOW LIVE #847 – President Obama, “Legalize It” Times Nine | Colorado Dispensaries
    NORML SHOW LIVE #847 – President Obama, “Legalize It” Times Nine | Colorado Dispensaries
    January 31, 2012 at 12:15 am |

    [...] Bessie Smith – “Gimme a Pigfoot (And a Bottle of Beer)” [...]

  2. Roots Monday: Bessie Smith “Gimme a Pigfoot (And a Bottle of Beer)”
    Roots Monday: Bessie Smith “Gimme a Pigfoot (And a Bottle of Beer)”
    January 30, 2012 at 8:31 pm |

    [...] Click here to view the embedded video. [...]

  3. NORML SHOW LIVE #847 – President Obama, “Legalize It” Times Nine | The NORML Stash Blog
    NORML SHOW LIVE #847 – President Obama, “Legalize It” Times Nine | The NORML Stash Blog
    January 30, 2012 at 7:38 pm |

    [...] Bessie Smith – “Gimme a Pigfoot (And a Bottle of Beer)” [...]

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