Lady Day: The Best Of Billie Holiday - Billie Holiday

What can you say about Lady Day? (208 words)
by Michael S - written on 21/02/01, updated on 21/02/01 (Very useful, 38 readings)
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I must admit that I'm not sure if I've heard this disc yet. What I do know is that I have fallen in love with Billie Holliday. She vies for the "first lady of Jazz" with the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, and Sarah Vaughn. Billie's voice can be smooth like cream, or smokey and rough. The listings of selections on this ablum range from the bluesy numbers such as Stormy Weather and Mean to Me, to the more upbeat Fine Romance and I've got my love to keep me warm. Billie Holliday was able to move between the juke-joint sounds Fine and Mellow to the bittersweet sounds of It's not for me to say usually accompanied by a backing orchestra. ...

Lady Sings The Blues - Billie Holiday

It's not over.... (523 words)
by mancsoulsister - written on 28/09/00, updated on 23/04/01 (Very useful, 213 readings)
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..Until lady sings the blues! B Billie Holiday remains (nearly five decades after her death) the most famous of all jazz singers. "Lady Day", as she was named by Lester Young, had an unusual voice. Despite a lack of technical training, Holiday's unique diction, inimitable phrasing and acute dramatic intensity made her the most outstanding jazz singer of her day. Billie did not scat, she innovated the 'behind-the-beat' phrasing which is still so popular amoungst singers today. White gardenias, worn in her hair, became her trademark. For those of you unfamiliar with Billie's work - 'Lady sings the Blues' is a good place to start. The ...