Bessie Griffin

Story of Job / What Jesus Mean Bessie Griffin

Born Arlette B. Broil on July 6, 1922 in New Orleans, gospel singer Bessie Griffin came to Chicago in 1951. A contralto, Bessie was sometimes regarded as a rival to the great Mahalia Jackson, but with a lighter vocal quality and some dazzling pyrotechnics. She sang back home with the Southern Harps and the Gospel Consolators and for a time had her own radio show. Her first solo recordings were made for the label Sittin' in With in 1948. Her extremely rare single on the Parrot label in 1953, "Story Of Job" b/w "What Jesus Means To Me, " was in the company's second official batch of releases; it was also the first green-label gospel Parrot offering. She sings solo on both sides, with bare piano accompaniment by one Eloise Suddath. Although the piano accompaniment is somewhat clunky, Bessie's vocal brilliance shines through. Newly remastered, this rare piece of history is finally available in the digital domain. .