Alberta Hunter sure sounds like a spunky woman.
Born in Memphis, she left home at age 12 to pursue a singing career in Chicago. And she succeeded. Not only did she become a critically-acclaimed singer, she wrote songs for people like Bessie Smith. Years later, in the 1950's, she left singing, made up a high school diploma, and went to nursing school. She also dated Ethel Waters and was known to prefer women to men.
Here's her from when she was restarting her music career in her 80's, singing "Nobody Knows When You're Down and Out":
Here's one of her older songs from the 20's, "Old-Fashioned Love":
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3 Comments
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A SPLENDID talent! "Amtrak Blues" (1980) is justly famous.
freddyinptown | May 29, 2009 6:46 PM
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thank you, Alex. it has been so long since i've heard Alberta. the memories came rushing back. there is nothing to make you feel better than the BLUES...
love her
- and you for posting this.
mike/ | May 30, 2009 3:31 PM
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Alex, I told you Billie Holiday, but this is every bit as good. Now I WANT Aretha, Barbara, Nat, Ella, Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland and when you want a contemporary you can try Michael Buble'.
Hope you notice the rendition of "strange fruit" sent to you separately by Holiday. In her prime she was remarkable in her talent and even amazing in her sad ending.
Robert Ganshorn | May 31, 2009 8:42 AM
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