Untamed Magnificence - Herstory Indeed

Bessie Smith phographed in 1936  by writer Carl Van Vechen

 'But the stories of her portentious rages, tempestuous love afairs, wind bouts of generosity, epic binges, and not infrequent recourse to devastating fisticuffs - all of which stretch as far back as her public career itself  - leave us with the impression of a totally untamed creature who remained to the end of her days, immune from the restraints of manners or convention.'. - Humphrey Lyttleton on Bessie Smith