BESSIE SMITH - BACKWATER BLUES

Ormonde Plater at Through the Dust inspired me to search out the video. Here's Bessie Smith, with her amazing voice, in splendid collaboration with James P. Johnson on the piano. What a team! I like the listening guide.

At the moment, the sun is, if not shining, at least showing itself from time to time. The wind has picked up some, but we are not feeling the backwater blues. It appears that the worst of Tropical Storm Lee may be past us, as the radar shows the storm is now mostly to the east of us. Scroll down at the link to see the radar.

However, areas in New Orleans and Jefferson Parish experienced flooding, as did lower Terrebonne and Lafourche Parishes, and folks there may be feeling the backwater blues.

UPDATE SEPT. 4: Tropical Storm Lee finally came ashore at Vermilion Bay west of us. It's blowy and rainy here, but nothing serious for us.

Rain and storm surge are causing flooding in other areas of south Louisiana.