About

A TAV Essential Listening Album.

“Billie Holiday was a true artist of her day and rose as a social phenomenon in the 1950s. Her soulful, unique singing voice and her ability to boldly turn any material that she confronted into her own music made her a superstar of her time. Today, Holiday is remembered for her masterpieces, creativity and vivacity, as many of Holiday’s songs are as well known today as they were decades ago. Holiday’s poignant voice is still considered to be one of the greatest jazz voices of all time.” – BillieHoliday.com

“Although known as a “singer’s singer”, Bllie shows great depth of emotion and feeling as she wistfully wends her way through eight evergreens. Her husky voice fits each of these tunes like a glove..and a velvet one at that. From well-known tunes like Johnny Green’s “Body and Soul” or “Embraceable You” from the pens of the talented Brothers Gershwin … to perhaps the more basic emotions of Don Redman and Andy Razaf’s “Gee, Baby Ain’t I Good To You”, the ‘Lady’ sings as through the tune had been written just for her. Her wonderful phrasing plus that into that indefinable quality that is hers alone, elevate these tunes into the ranks of the memorable.  …

Billie Holiday’s voice is one of those wonderful sounds that are truly jazz. Coarse yet war, with that unique phrasing.  … This then is the exquisite delicacy of Lady Day. She sings her bruised heart out … her shattered dreams are here for you to hear. But listen to them with your heart. .. as they were sung. For this is the greatest of them all … This is … Lady Day.” – Liner Notes to the Album.

Small jazz groups brought out the best in Billie Holiday - especially groups as good as the one heard on this classic 1957 recording. Ben Webster, Harry "Sweets" Edison and the other members of this stellar ensemble were not just gifted soloists but sensitive accompanists as well. Lady Day was rarely more ably supported than she was on this program of sturdy standards, including three gems by the Gershwin brothers -and she rarely sounded more luminous.

"these are all truly classic Verve titles that you simply don't want to miss...most importantly, the sound of these reissues is nothing short of astounding. Particularly the early Billie and Ella mono records are incredible treasures of sonic beauty. I'd definitely ask Santa for the whole set, or, if you want to cherry pick, the most classic titles. Whatever you decide, you owe yourself at least a half dozen!" Winner of a 2012 Positive Feedback Online Writers' Choice Award - Danny Kaey, Positive Feedback Online, November/December 2011

Source: Acoustic Sounds 

Musicians:

• Billie Holiday, vocals
• Ben Webster, tenor saxophone
• Harry 'Sweets' Edison, trumpet
• Jimmy Rowles, piano
• Barney Kessel, guitar
• Red Mitchell, bass
• Larry Bunker,drums
• Alvin Stoller, drums

Features of this audiophile reissue:

• Mono, Limited Edition
• Mastered by George Marino at Sterling Sound
• Cut from the Absolute Original Analog Master Tapes
• 180 Gram, 45rpm 2LP
• Pressed at Quality Record Pressings

Item description: