| Dinah Sings Bessie Smith | |
| Type: | Studio |
| Artist: | Dinah Washington |
| Cover: | Bessiesmithdinah.jpg |
| Released: | 1958 |
| Recorded: | December 30, 1957 and January 20, 1958 |
| Genre: | Blues, pop standards |
| Length: | 35:23 (original recording) |
| Label: | Emarcy, Verve (reissue) |
| Producer: | Bob Shad |
| Prev Title: | Music for a First Love |
| Prev Year: | 1957 |
| Next Title: | Newport '58 |
| Next Year: | 1958 |
Dinah Sings Bessie Smith is the ninth studio album by blues, R&B and jazz singer Dinah Washington released on the Emarcy label, and reissued by Verve Records in 1999 as The Bessie Smith Songbook. The album arrangements are headed by Robare Edmondson and Ernie Wilkins, and the songs are associated with American blues singer Bessie Smith. AllMusic details the album in its review as saying: "It was only natural that the "Queen of the Blues" should record songs associated with the "Empress of the Blues." The performances by the septet/octet do not sound like the 1920s and the purposely ricky-tick drumming is insulting, but Dinah Washington sounds quite at home on this music".[1]
Additional tracks on 1999 CD reissue
"Trombone Butter" is a remake of "Trombone Cholly" with Quentin "Butter" Jackson playing Charlie Green's trombone part.