Billie Holiday

Try here

Same question coming from the album you have. FWIW I recently got the Mastercuts Essential Billie Holiday and I'm very pleased with that.



Steve

The Decca recordings should fit the bill, but once you start to listen you will find yourself buying pretty much everything else as well. The voice may be weaker by the Verve cuts, but she still knew how to time and phrase better than most (certainly in the context of today's crop of "jazz" singers)

Lady sings the blues on Verve (1956) is absolutely beautiful.

quote:

Originally posted by Asp:
I'm looking for a recommendation on her earlier albums. Currently I only have Songs for Distinque Lovers but I understand its her later record when her voice and singing has changed.

Looking for an album where she's in her prime.

Thanks.

Hello Asp,
The MCMastercuts - recommended by Steve 1 is currently available from Amazon, price 2.97UKP
At that price it looks like a bargain!

I have 'A Portrait of Billie Holiday' A 2 CD set containing 48 tracks. It's okay, sounds a bit gramaphoney, hissy and clarintets a bit sharp at times, but it could be worse ~ i think there must be something much better than this around by now.

btw, do you like the album ~ Careless Love by Madeleine Peyroux ?

Kind Regards
nymph

quote:

The MCMastercuts - recommended by Steve 1 is currently available from Amazon, price 2.97UKP

Cheers, mine arrived today

Buy anything with Lester Young on. On Columbia. F*ck the sound, the music is beautiful.

A very good reference book for anything to do with jazz, including early Billie Holiday, which is her most memorable period is 'The Penguin guide to Jazz records' - now in its eight edition.

I don'th think there is anythin wrong with 'Songs for...' as vocally she is in good form. 'Lady in Satin' is the one where her voice is really wrecked but it is unbelievably moving. With this particular era of music there is massive trade off between quality of performance and sound. Just imagine being alive in the 1940's,strolling round 52nd street NY and deciding who to see. Charlie Parker, Duke Ellington, (early) Miles Davies, Holiday, Chick Webb etc etc

quote:

Originally posted by woodface:
I don'th think there is anythin wrong with 'Songs for...'

plus it's got Ben Webster and Jimmy Rowles!

quote:

I don'th think there is anythin wrong with 'Songs for...' as vocally she is in good form.

I agree. She sounds a bit older, but still excellent and of course, the recording is good with some great playing too.

Steve