The 1920s Music

The 1920s Music

Bessie Smith, Empress of the Blues, Vol. 2: 1926–1933 (2008)

The latest release from the Empress of the Blues catalog, this collection of Bessie Smith's later performances is a must-have for anyone wishing to understand the darker side of the Roaring '20s.

Various Artists, The Big Broadcast, Vol. 2: Jazz and Popular Music of the 1920s and 1930s (2007)

New York radio host Rich Conaty has carefully compiled this brilliant collection of pop songs from the 1920s and 1930s. Capturing the sounds of the first golden age of radio, the record features artists like Eva Taylor, the Three Keys, and Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra.

George Gershwin, Essential George Gershwin (2003)

If one composer best represents the tone of the Roaring '20s, it's certainly George Gershwin. This "Best Of" collection features his most beloved compositions performed by the biggest names in jazz and blues, including Ethel Waters, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, and Billie Holliday.

Various Artists, Roaring '20s: When My Baby Smiles at Me (2002)

Truly a "Best Of" collection, Roaring Twenties features the top-selling hits from the decade, including performances by Paul Whiteman, Marion Harris, and Al Jolson, the Jewish singer and comedian famous for his affected blackface routines.

Various Artists, Nipper's Greatest Hits: The '20s (1990)

Listen to the original recordings of top hits from the decade, like Gene Austin's "My Blue Heaven," Helen Kane's "I Wanna Be Loved By You," and Paul Whiteman's production of "Charleston," the song that has become an anthem for the Roaring '20s.