[Dixielandjazz] Billie Holiday: The Complete Commodore and Decca Masters

[Robert Ringwald]

Billie Holiday: The Complete Commodore and Decca Masters (Hip-O Select, 3-CD, $54.98)
by Zan Stewart
Newark Star-Ledger, December 6, 2009

The years 1939 to 1950 were especially fruitful for Billie Holiday. Her voice was
golden and glowing, her always swinging interpretations alternately glamorous and
emotional. This welcome volume documents her relationships with Commodore and Decca
Records in those years, gathering all 52 tracks she made for the labels. The 16 Commodore
sides begin with "Strange Fruit," Holiday's famed graphic depiction of a lynching.
There's also the poignant "Yesterdays," plus "Fine and Mellow" and two enchanting
ballads: "Embraceable You" and "He's Funny That Way." The 36 Decca sides include
"Lover Man," the rollicking "'Taint Nobody's Business" (a cut-up with Louis Armstrong),
"My Sweet Hunk o' Trash," and her telling original "God Bless the Child." The booklet,
with notes by Ashley Kahn and some archival photos, is brief but sufficient.
-30


--Bob Ringwald K6YBV
rsr at ringwald.com
Fulton Street Jazz Band
916/806-9551

Check out our latest recording at www.ringwald.com/recordings.htm

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