Billie

Just because a recording is remastered, that doesn't mean it's been remastered well. Columbia's remastering of these Billie Holiday recording is a case in point. If you listen to Columbia's Quintessential Billie Holiday series that came out in 1989, you'll notice that those albums (with the same recordings that are on this CD) had infinitely better sound.

Simply put, these remastered versions sound awful. There's a constant, loud hissing in the background of every track that should NOT be there. It's amazing that such bad remastering work could come from Columbia (and on these legendary recordings, no less).

I'm surprised that none of the reviewers on this site seem to have noticed the shoddy sound quality on these remasters, but if you compare these recordings to the originals, the difference is glaringly obvious.

It's a real shame! Because if you want to hear the genius of these Billie Holiday recordings, you'll have to dig up the The Quintessential Billie Holiday series from '89 which is pristine, gorgeous, and mostly out of print now.

This is not a good demonstration of Billie Holliday. First, too many songs squeezed into each side. Sound not good. For me, it was a waste of money. One of her best is the Billie Holiday-Lester Young CD " a musical romance"

Excellent CD. A good purchase if you do not want to buy the box set. Has the essentials.

If you love the blues, and its history, this is a must have. Billie Holiday had a voice, and a tempo, and delivery, followed by back-men who are jazz/blues icons today, that was new, and fresh, and inspiring in their time, and remains so today. I lost all my belongings in a wildfire, including an extensive collection of Billie's recordings. This was my first step back to remembering her, purchasing this wonderfully produced CD. I now consider it a treasured musical archive. If you love Lady Day, relax, and listen to this CD, and you will be entranced again, and again. Her gift to us, forever.

Anybody who likes Billie Holiday even part time needs this CD. Even great for those people who only know a few songs just by chance. Love the CD. Even got another as a gift for a friend.

This has been my #1 favorite jazz/blues Christmas CD for many years (and I've collected quite a few). Sorry to disagree with the last person but it is definitely not "smooth jazz". Roland Kirk never played a note of "smooth jazz" in his life. His "We Free Kings" is about the wildest rendition of a Christmas song that I've ever heard and I still can't sit still whenever I hear it. This one of those albums that you can hear through many times and find new pleasures every time. As others have said, it holds a wide variety and each recording is great in its own way. Merry Christmas to one and all!

I recommend this to anyone that likes smooth jazz and wants mood music for Christmas gatherings. It helps make Christmas parties seem more festive.

I have been listening to this cd every Christmas since my parents first got it when in 1996 I was 10 years old. I could never tire of the smooth, warm jazz. It is the perfect soundtrack for a snowy evening by the fire and lit tree, cuddled under a warm blanket with a cup of hot cocoa.

There's something for everyone on this wonderfully eclectic recording, which ranges from Oscar Peterson's almost lullaby-like piano on "A Child is Born" to Bill Evans's jazzy piano improvisations (overdubbed) on "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," and Sister Rosetta Tharpe's "O, Little Town of Bethlehem," a full-out, hand-clapping, rocking and stomping Gospel song. Containing both vocals and instrumentals, with arrangements which vary from softly sweet to full-out wailing, this CD is full of delightful surprises to keep the Christmas repertoire fresh.

Three of the songs here feature Ella Fitzgerald. "The Secret of Christmas" and "White Christmas," both of which she sings "pure," are soft, slow ballads filled with sweetness, while "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," with its quick beat, provides a jazzy close-out for the album. Dinah Washington's "Ole Santa" and "Silent Night" take the opposite tack from Ella, as she sings with strength and verve--and absolutely no sweetness! Billie Holiday's "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm," not exactly a Christmas song, features solos by the great Benny Carter on clarinet and Sweets Edison on muted trumpet.

Roland Kirk's "We Free Kings," the most highly improvised song on the album, features Kirk on flute and wailing sax, accompanied by an insistent drumbeat. And my favorite--Jimmy Smith's "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" is the greatest version of this song I've ever heard, opening with jazz tuba and drums (and sounding like giants walking), then introducing trumpets and a wonderful Smith organ solo, which soars into the stratosphere. A terrific album for the jazz lover at Christmas time, this CD showcases some of the pioneers of American jazz. Mary Whipple

This is one of our favorite Christmas CDs year after year. It's a great collection of some classic performances.

The music from this soundtrack is so calming and some of the music makes you want to get up and dance. It takes you back to better days and you remember how it used to be.It's a wonderful CD and I recommend it to everyone especially if you have seen the movie which was excellent...

There isn't much I can say about this beautiful movie, except that it was so touching!
It say's go for the "true love", settle for nothing else no matter what may be in store, because love that is "true" and as beautiful as their's was, is a rare thing!
I absolutely loved the ending.
I also loved that a movie CAN be truly wonderful, beautiful and touching WITHOUT grafic "sex scenes!" Also sadly a rare thing in movies today.

Ever seen "Hanover Street?" Equally beautiful. No SEX scenes either!

Angelfish

I do not have the soundtrack to The Notebook, but I do have the movie itself. Having said that, every song is wonderful. Some music carries with it, a wealth of emotion and a sense of timelessness. I love all of the classical pieces , perhaps the best, in this particular movie. Classical has never been my speed when it comes down to music, but something about this movie's classical masterpieces struck a chord in me...made me smile and maybe even sniffle a bit. If you are a fan of the movie, I'm sure you would love its soundtrack too. Music like this is ideal for a romantic evening or just for pleasure listening. You don't know if you'll like something until you give it a chance! So give this a chance!!

This is a beautiful collection of music from the movie, The Notebook. Most is instrumental, very relaxing, as well as lively at times. Two renditions of "I'll Be Seeing You" are included.

I really enjoyed listening to the soundtrack, but I'm also a big fan of background music and this cd was great for both. Listening to the cd took me back to the movie and reminded me how much I enjoyed it, but I also put the cd on during a nice meal with friends and it worked out very well, they all enjoyed the music.

OK, first things first. I disagree when one of the other reviewers said that "I Dream" isn't very good. I love it, but that doesn't mean he/she is wrong. Everyone has a right to opinion. Also, for some weird reason, all of Billie's singles (Because We Want To, Girlfriend, She Wants You, Last Christmas, Honey To The Bee, Day & Night, Something Deep Inside and Walk of Life) were included on this album except Last Chrsitmas. Why? Oh well, this album is brilliant. It has 3 different front covers (this one is the 2nd one. The other 2 have white backrounds, the 1st one has the text displayed differently and the 3rd one has no text at all. I've got the 3rd cover), 15 tracks (7 singles, 4 B-Sides, 3 Exclusive B-Sides and 1 unreleased single) and some editions come with a poster of this cheeky cover.

1. Because We Want To - 5 Stars (out of 5) (single, album: Honey To The B)
2. Girlfriend (Radio Mix) - 5 Stars (single, album: Honey To The B (USA))
3. She Wants You - 5 Stars (single, album: Honey To The B)
4. Party on the Phone - 5 Stars (B-Side, album: Honey To The B)
5. The Tide Is High - 5 Stars (unreleased single, album: Walk of Life)
6. Honey To The Bee - 5 Stars (single, album: Honey To The B)
7. I Dream - 5 Stars (B-Side, album: Honey To The B)
8. Day & Night - 5 Stars (single, album: Walk of Life)
9. Bring It On - 4 Stars (B-Side, album: Walk of Life)
10. Promises - 5 Stars (B-Side, album: Walk of Life)
11. Something Deep Inside - 5 Stars (single, album: Walk of Life)
12. First Love - 5 Stars (Exclusive B-Side, single: Something Deep Inside CD1)
13. G.H.E.T.T.O.U.T. - 4 Stars (Exclusive B-Side, single: Because We Want To CD1)
14. Caress The Gold - 5 Stars (Exclusive B-Side, single: Walk of Life CD1)
15. Walk of Life - 5 Stars (single, album: Walk of Life)

It should be noted about the Exclusive B-Sides, that not all editions in other countries will have them included. E.G. : The Australian single of "Something Deep Inside" does not have "First Love" included.

I listen to this CD often. What can I say, its Billie Piper. Shes great.

Yes, I'm a "Doctor Who" fan and, yes, I didn't know a thing about Billie Piper until I saw her take off in the TARDIS with Christopher Eccleston as Rose Tyler. Still, her acting skills and (let's be honest here) her looks interested me enough to seek out all things Billie. What I found was a surprisingly good pop singing career that appears to have burned out all too quickly. I don't consider myself a huge pop music fan, but I do enjoy some of it. I like the old stuff I grew up with in the 80's, as well as a few artists that my daughter listens to. She has me listening to bubblegummers like Ashley Tisdale, Miley Cyrus, and Everlife. She's also a "Who" fan like me and absolutely adores Rose Tyler. With this in mind, I nabbed "The Best of Billie" hoping to somehow tie these two interests together. It worked.

Piper's music, like most pop, is easily digestable. It isn't quite as forgettable as some of her contemporaries though. The album opens up with the very Spice Girl sounding tunes "Because We Want To" and "Girlfriend." Although I like "Girlfriend," "Because We Want To" does grate my nerves a bit. It's definitely a tune for the younger set, and my daughter loves to sing along with it. The real gems on this album for me are "Tide Is High" (which my daughter has dubbed her favorite), "Day & Night," "First Love" and "Walk of Life." My personal favorite is the soul-lite popper, "Honey To The Bee." I can honestly say that this album sounds better each time I listen to it. That's a rare thing for me to say about a pop album.

I do hope that Billie decides to make another album somewhere down the line. She appears to have survived her teen pop star years unscathed, and definitely increased her popularity (at least among us geeks) when she stepped out of the blue police call box. I recommend this album to pop and dance fans as well as anybody who's interested in Billie's career outside of acting.

not only is she a partner of dr who but this girl can sing too

she wants is excellent to bad she never got a release in the usa she would blow britney spears away if you like christinea or hilary duff you'll love billie 4.5 out of 5 must buy
marc

If your looking for good clean, a little more mature, POP music that still appeals to the young and young at heart then Billie is it. This CD covers all her greatest hits.

Unfortunately, I have ordered this CD after some favorable review.
I cannot believe this horrid concoction could be rated appealing. You better listen to the original recordings (I certainly will) instead of volunteering for a nauseating treatment from the mindless machine jamming that dominates each (!!!) number.
What a loss.
I wish I could claim damages.

A great mix of old and new. If you're not a stickler about people re-doing old songs, you'll love it. Besides, anything with Billie is good. I highly recommend this cd (but then again I have really odd taste). If you're still not sure, take a listen on MySpace. After buying this cd, I'm excited about the other Remixed and Reimagined albums.

Every song is perfectly remixed with an ambiance of House, Down Tempo, Trip Hop, Funk, and Acid Jazz. If you want to hear Billie Holiday in her natural style then buy the original Billie CD's but if you love remixes that take the past and make it a blast for todays generation, this is it!!! The flow of the CD never misses a beat. Each song is perfect in its remix style. This is much better then the Nina remix because it's smoother and the producers really meshed Billie Holidays vocals and original music to the new remix style they intended. Once again, if your looking for original Billie this is not the CD for you but if you want original Billie with a bit of Cayenne Pepper this is it!!!!

I loooooved the cd. It helps people my generation understand the beautiful and softness of Ms. Holiday's voice. I like that they put nice upbeat dance music and beats and joined them togther with her softness and charsmatic voice.

Of course, i wish there was more, but then again, it wouldn't be a "remixed" cd now would it? Bravo!

I can't stop listening to this CD. It is absolutely awesome!!! My favorite this week is track four. If you don't have it you gotta get it!!! The remixes are AWESOME!!!! Talk about innovative and change, these remixes are AWESOME. I can't say it enough!!!!

This one is a must-have if you want to assemble a top-flight Billie Holiday collection. All the recordings were made between 1935-1942 when her perfect natural voice was still like a bell, and her musical instincts were in full bloom. Unlike her later recordings, there is no sign of the sad toll her lifestyle took on her voice. The best treat in this candy dish is hearing her sing with Count Basie on the piano, in THEY CAN'T TAKE THAT AWAY FROM ME. The Sony remasterings are brilliant and even, and very far above the so-so quality of most Lady Day anthologies - don't pass this one up. A NOTE ABOUT THE ALBUM COVER ART - Take a look at the second version of the cover art with Holiday's portrait - this is the cover of the CD we picked up.

Along with 'Lady in Autumn' this is probably the best compilation of Billie Holiday's work. Superbly remastered, it is arguably the finest representation of jazz singing in this period EXCEPT for Lady's other recordings during this time. The reason for this is not only Billie Holiday's extraordinary sound (which defined jazz singing with each note), but the quality of the musicians who accompanied her. Many of these sessions were led by Teddy Wilson (the leader with whom she is most closely associated during this period), who led on nearly half of the selections on this CD, and features legends like Ben Webster, Lester Young, and Buck Clayton.

The songs are of a higher quality than many of the pieces Holiday was given to record during her earliest recording years (probably due to the strength of her fame by the mid-1930s), and her renditions of 'All of Me', 'You Go to My Head', 'The Very Thought of You', and 'The Way You Look Tonight', are comparable with any versions of these standards. (It should be noted that Holiday's gift was so unique that she didn't have to 'learn' her craft: her earliest recordings are classics (a distinction even the great Ella Fitzgerald doesn't enjoy, as Ella's best recordings didn't begin until the 1950s)).

These performances represent Holiday's voice in its physical prime, and her sound is so profound that even the exceptional soloists and session musicians cannot upstage her, though she really gets a run for her money on 'The Way You Look Tonight'. My personal favorite on this CD, it features marvelous reed solos (especially trumpet and the opening clarinet solo) and an impeccable rhythm session with Milt Hinton on bass, Gene Krupa on drums, and Teddy Wilson on piano. Indeed, it is worth purchasing the CD just to hear Holiday's fellow musicians!

This CD belongs in any credible jazz collection, and is a wonderful entry for anyone wanting exposure to the best music of this period.

Anybody who loves jazz and the blues cannot be without this Billie Holiday CD. I love it. I can listen to it all day. It's a pleasure to hear great jazz and such an incredible voice.

This cd was the first Billie Holiday I ever purchased. WOW! She is the greatest, bar none! EVERY serious lover of music needs this work to add to their collection. I had no idea how special she was and how timeless her work. I am a fan for life.

There are so many fabulous reviews for this CD and I have to agree with them. I've been a Billie Holiday fan for years and own many discs of her music, but I find myself reaching for this one a lot. It's a great collection of songs and her voice is so sweet and true here. She's in top form and the arrangements on the songs are all excellent. Whoever put this CD together knew what they were doing. This is definitely Billie during the earlier part of her career and there's a real lightness to this music. (Her later music is great too, but very different.) Most of the songs on this CD are classics and even if you're unfamiliar with her, you'll probably still recognize many of them. There is some crackling background noise on some of the songs, since they were recorded back in the late thirties/early forties, though it's not that bad and most of the time you barely notice it. Some of the stand outs are "You Go To My Head", "The Very Thought of You", "Let's Do It", "The Way You Look Tonight", just to name a few. I think this would be a great introductory CD for someone who is curious about her and would like to hear some of her music.

The first time I heard Billie Holiday's voice was when my parents were visiting friends. I looked over their record collection and asked if I might play this Billie Holiday one. (I had never heard of her.) From the first song to the last, I was crazy about her. The cut called "You're My Thrill" was unlike anything I had ever heard before. All these years later, I never forgot that first experience and looked for this music at Amazon. Lucky for me, I found it.

Nineteen mellow arrangements and a laid back Ms Holiday make for a very pleasant hour of listening pleasure. It can set the mood for a relaxed dinner party by having this play in the background.

Although there are a few good cuts on this collection, despite the generally terrible arrangements, almost any other collection of Billie's is better. If you want a single disc Greatest Hits album, try an obscure Brit import called "Fine and Mellow." The only thing the DECCA CD has going for it is better sound quality, because it was recorded much later than most of her good recordings.

I've heard many Billie Holiday CDs and this is one of the better ones. The sound quality is fantastic. 19 of her very best hits. I recommend this to both new and old Holiday fans.

...Like me! True, these songs don't represent the real Billie because they are so short (about 3 minutes each). And there are a lot of added strings in the background in order to fit into what was commercially typical of the day. BUT trust me, after you listen to "Good Morning Heartache" it will sound like REAL music, compared to so much (noise/garbage) that passes for music in the present.

I love this record!

A rainy night, a fire in the woodstove, thinking of a lost love and Lady Day.

What has not been advertised regarding this release is that the tracks on these 4 Cds have been again re-mastered and now offer the best sound yet from Legacy. Whilst the Teddy Wilson/Billie Holiday series on the UK Hep label (mastered by John R T Davies) still probably have the edge this new box has a much fuller sound than on the previous mastering on the 10 cd box and the various individual compilations that followed circa 2002. The sheer precence of the vocals in particular is very satisfying, and there appears to be more instrumental depth and better bass reproduction - although there is also a small price to pay in that surface noise is a bit prominent on some selections.

If you're a fan of Lady Day, you probably already know that these Columbia recordings are weighted almost as heavily as Louis Armstrong's Hot 5s and 7s in the jazz heavy weight arena. Their unique aural beauty is a foregone conclusion.

I originally owned volume 2, 3 and 5 of the Quintessential series then upgraded to the 2 CD, "Lady Day: The Best of Billie Holiday". Problem was, this stuff is so good, I just could not seem to get enough. Having said that, the 10 CD complete seemed a bit much. Like I said, this is a real good fit. See what a little moonlight can do.

The 10 CD complete Columbia Box set is very good, but the packaging on that one tends to discourage listening, and it probably just sits on the shelf if anyone has it. I can understand the marketers saying that 4CD sets sell well, but why not fill the CDs completely, as they already have all tracks remastered. Why only 20 tracks per disc, when 25+ tracks will easily fit on every CD? If you don't have any classic Columbia recordings, get this. But don't ask why Strange Fruit is not on this set. It was never on Columbia, as Columbia would not allow her to record it. The masters at SONY would've done well to pay for the rights to include it, but maybe the current corporate owners wouldn't allow it. That brings to mind, can anyone guess where the "artist's royalties" from the sale of Billie Holiday recordings go? Probably right into corporate pockets. Ain't that a shame? They should go to a program to help abused young women!!

Does it help to be a MASOCHIST in order to fully ABSORB this AWESOME product?.....well, yes, perhaps, but so does HAMLET......
A PREPOSTEROUS analogy? Not really----- What SHAKESPEARE does with the written word, Ms. Holiday ACHIEVES through the DEEPEST, DARKEST of voyages up there with the very best in art....
Entire books could (and have?) be written about this EXCEPTIONAL, controversial work of HUMANITY, but we shall be relatively brief...... That the artist was perhaps DRUGGED, half- drunk when performing these gems is an ETERNAL dilemma of popular music that this writer will not go into, except to state the fact that whatever it took to bring this RAW INTENSITY out was more than acceptable, given the circumstances-----was POLLOCK DRUNK mad? Was MILES flying high on who knows what? were Lennon/Mccartney "enlightened" by Hallucinogens------and on and on it goes......A controversial subject....

More to the point is that If you come to this artist as this writer did----through "Lady in Satin" before the more "innocent", fresher voice that had abandoned her already, you may NEVER be able to let go------ the DEPTH, the CHARACTER, the MATURITY, the POETRY, the AUTHORITY (indeed!!) that this woman brings to these songs is that of the very old SAGE who has seen it all, stripped down to the very essence----- even when that "essence"-----elusive that it must remain----- seems almost connected exclusively to TRAGEDY.......
Well, again, we read SHAKESPEARE, yes, for the comedies, but the TRAGEDIES are the ESSENCE of Shakespeare.....
One recent analogy has been the poetry of EMILY DICKINSON------ if you can, do so, because what she does with words is sort of bring them to the FORE for you, and all those dormant images that we grow so "blase" about are re-awakened---- in a sort of "buddhist" fashion, so that you can "re-learn" to live again...... The greatest of poets.......THAT IS what Holiday will do to you......
At first PAINFUL to the ear and the heart (and PLEASE don't GO NEAR this when in a deep depression, or God save you, suicidal)----- like CALLAS at her best, it is the TRANSCENDENCE of technique to the point that the ravages of the instrument are the least thing to consider----- it is the EXPRESSIVENESS of that instrument all that matters......
All twelve of these songs are MASTERPIECES of INTERPRETATION-----and consider that they had already been done TO DEATH by a thousand others.....
No matter.....
Ms. Holiday approaches every one of these with her INTELLECT, her complete CONFIDENCE in that "RAVAGED" voice (an act of INMENSE COURAGE as well), with a CERTAINTY that shakes you to the CORE---- to the very ESSENCE......When she sings "I get along without you very well......", well, co-dependency is an insulting word that would cheapen the SOUL she conveys.....When she tells you that "You don't know what love is...." it is IMPOSSIBLE for anyone (Sinatra? Simone?....) to MATCH her COMPLETE AUTHORITY......
After twenty years of hundreds of listenings, this is one album that remains at the very top of POP Vocalists for the EXCELLENCE with which she has performed..... The "SATIN" of Ellis only serves to HEIGHTEN the MORBID, DEFEATED, EXTRAORDINARILY powerful performance.......
Again, only CALLAS can be said to surpass this exceptional moment in the history of 20th. Century music........

One day in my early 20s, I was browsing in the small music section that used to exist on the mezzanine floor of the Doubleday bookstore in New York City on Fifth Avenue just south of 57th Street. [You may consider it noteworthy that I remember *exactly* where I was when this happened.]

My fledgling jazz knowledge at that time was such that I knew the importance of Billie Holiday's name - though I couldn't have identified her voice. So I looked over one of her records - but without any particular interest in purchasing one.

Then a strange man, in both senses of the word, who struck me as middle-aged - though anyone between 30 and 60 might have qualified to me then - shook his head at me discouragingly and sighed, "Young people can't really appreciate Billie Holiday." My vast dignity deeply affronted, I left to do my browsing elsewhere.

Now I know he was right. But had I been in his place [and in writing this review, perhaps in some way I can be] I would have phrased it more encouragingly for the younger man: "What is so remarkable is how her work deepens in meaning as one returns to it at advancing ages."

I don't remember which of her records that man saw me looking at. Given my limited expertise and budget, it was probably a "Greatest Hits" of the kind I would condescend towards today.

But the meaning in what that man couldn't have communicated to me is best found in "Lady in Satin".

Now you may not be in the market for a harrowing. But make no mistake: this record *is* the summit of Holiday's art - and, by extension, of female blues singing in general.

If you're skeptical of that claim, consider that no less an authority than Francis Albert Sinatra said - the year after this music was recorded - "Lady Day is unquestionably the most important influence on American popular singing in the last twenty years."

Please read that sentence a second time.

Then you'll know that if she declared this her masterpiece, she has earned your respect of her opinion.

When I was very young, I heard my mother play this record, and I envisioned the singer as follows: she bathed in milk, ate chocolate for breakfast, wore violets and fur all year round, and took frequent vacations on other planets; equal parts Venus de Milo, Mother Earth, and the Tooth Fairy. Years later, I read Lady's book and found out that I was both 100% wrong and 100% right. I also started buying Lady's early works, and I understood how she arrived here.

Lady in Satin is a work of sublime majesty and grandeur. If you've ever wondered whether there was life after Bird and before Trane, buy the record. If you've ever wondered whether jazz can be sung with strings and a chorus, buy the record. If you've ever wondered whether Marvin Gaye or Robert Palmer got it from, buy the record. (Both claimed it as formative.) Whatever time of day or night you listen, dawn caresses the heavens for the duration of this album.

Even after more then 50 years, Billie Holiday (a singer before my time) songs can still capture the heart of many who listen to her singing and her emotion behind her song. Ella has always been my facourite.

However, it was by chance that I listened to Bilie Holiday's voice and was quickly captured my attention. I have many of her recordings CD from the 1930s, 40s, and 50s. In the early years, her voice was sweet. However, it was her recording in her 50s that I can truley feel what she is singing.

The songs from the Lady in Satin CD truley revealed Billie's inner emotions especially in the songs: I am a Fool to want you; and The End of a Love affair...songs that can really bring tears into your eyes.

Enjoy your Billie Holiday Lady in Satin CD...even though her voice has become rough, her strong emtion behind the songs truley made them a real timeless Classic!

I cannot seem to think of any other songs that can be so sad and so emotional!

Thanks for giving us the songs!

The name really does say it all. This is Holiday at her smoothe, silky best. When it comes to female jazz singers, a lot of fans like to break off into various camps: Camp Holiday, Camp Fitzgerald, Camp Simone, Camp Vaughn, etc. I'm not one of those people. I listen to jazz singers to work on and improve my jazz music phrasing. So to start, I get different experiences and learn different things from different singers, making me a Holiday fan, but certainly no basher of any other singer. Listening to any of the above singers is beneficial and enjoyable, but make no mistake: They are different. For me, I have always liked Billie Holiday because, if you know the notes, when you listen to her sing, you aren't always sure she's going to get where she needs to go in the number of beats/measures she has left to get there. But somehow, she always does. Some of the tracks on this CD are shining examples of her ability to take a phrase, soak it down, wring it out, and put it back into an unexpected but pleasing shape. Probably the best example of that is track 3, "You don't know what love is". The selection of songs on this CD leaves a little to be desired, but at the same time, the alternate takes really are "alternative", so the listener gets to experience different aspects of the same song, which makes the listening all the more challenging, but rewarding. In short, I always enjoy this CD and I come back to it quite often. Casual jazz fans looking for a compilation to add to their collection could probably do better with Billie Holiday: The Complete Decca Recordings, but it is more expensive than this CD. Serious jazz fans familiar with Ms. Holiday and wanting a broader introspective, on the other hand, will not be disappointed with this work.

There are only 13 cuts on this CD--but what a great set of cuts they are! Billie Holiday was a star-crossed talent. But her talent was real, and this CD provides concrete evidence of that. Some of her best works are included, although 13 cuts cannot possibly do justice to her complete oeuvre.

Let's take a look at a sampling of the songs.

"Miss Brown to You": Benny Goodman plays with the Todd Wilson Orchestra--a nice group to accompany Holliday. She displays a smooth, rich voice. The words are clear and easy to pick up. This is a short song, and it is well sung. It is evocative. Nice instrumental backing!

"Billie's Blues": This song is backed by her own orchestra, with Bunny Berrigan and Artie Shaw--not bad! Nice blues sensibility. Some nice lines, such as:
"But when he mistreats me
Makes me feel so blue."

"I Can't Get Started": This Gershwin song is wondrous. Holiday is backed by Count Basie. Her voice is lush and smooth. One line:
"Now I'm broken hearted
I can't get started with you."
This is a terrific wedding of Count Basie and Billie Holiday.

"Body and Soul": Nice orchestral backing. Her voice intertwines well with the instruments. She sings of her loneliness. Some key lines:

I spend my days in longing;
I'm wondering why it's me who's lonely. . . .
I'm all for you, body and soul."

She can't believe that her man is throwing romance away. An affecting song.

To conclude, this is a fine CD, even though it has a small number of tunes. A great introduction to Billie Holiday's work.

Billie Holiday could sing jazz and the blues unlike any other singer. Ever. Her voice was the ultimate instrument which could convey all the sorrows of her personal life as she sang about life, love and the pain of being discriminated against because she was African-American. We will never see another quite like Billie; this CD of thirteen of Billie's greatest hits from Sony doesn't even begin to scrape the surface of what this remarkably talented lady could do.

The CD track set begins with a number that's actually sassy as well as jazzy; Billie sings of how Emily Brown's "comin' to town;" but it's "Miss Brown to you." Listen for Benny Goodman on clarinet and Roy Eldridge on trumpet. Teddy Wilson does a great job on piano, too. Even though Billie was only 20 when this was recorded, she was already working with the best!

"What A Little Moonlight Can Do" gets a breakneck pace and a jazzy interpretation that would make any jazz artist green with envy. Billie's voice is light and clear as a bell; yet she imparts all the right emotions to her audience. Once again, Billie recorded this with The Teddy Wilson Orchestra. Teddy plays piano; Benny Goodman plays clarinet and Roy Eldridge plays trumpet. And ooh, how they jam!

"I Cried For You" gives Billie the chance to sing of how she cried for a man who left her--but she no longer cares for him and she won't waste one minute more worrying about that loser. The musicians work wonders before Billie even comes in; but when Billie comes in the number soars and Billie takes flight! Billie imparts the sense of all the pain in her past and how she's happy to have found a new man who loves her more. Teddy Wilson again plays piano; and listen for Harry Carney on both the clarinet and the baritone saxophone. Excellent!

"Billie's Blues" stuns you with its sublime treatment of the blues; Billie wrote this number and Artie Shaw himself plays clarinet! Billie sings about how her man treats her so poorly; and you believe every word she sings--she's THAT good at sharing her feelings from the depths of her soul.

"I Can't Get Started" is a number recorded live when Billie performed at The Meadowbrook Ballroom in Cedar Grove, New Jersey with Count Basie & His Orchestra. Despite the passage of time and the surface noise on this track, I distinctly feel everything Billie put into this song. Billie was unlucky in love and the pain of this problem helps her to deliver "I Can't Get Started" as if the lyrics were a intimate, personal and very private confession to you from the bottom of her heart. Wow.

"God Bless The Child" was one of Billie's most famous signature songs; and she delivers this with all her might. Billie sings so well because she truly means every word of the lyrics. This is not just another chanteuse singing a ballad; this is Billie Holiday once again sharing her most intimate feelings with her audience. Roy Eldridge plays trumpet and I predict you will enjoy this number very, very much.

"Gloomy Sunday" became associated with many a suicide; anyone deep in despair and hopelessness can identify with "Gloomy Sunday." Billie sings this so well because of the countless times she experienced these very emotions in her private life. "The Very Thought Of You" swings ever so slightly to infuse this ballad with just the right amount of energy and romantic effect. Billie's excellent diction, coupled with her light and clear voice, lets her perform "The Very Thought Of You" with twice the panache that any other singer could ever have infused into it.

The CD track set ends with the classic "Body And Soul." Billie sings of how she wants a man who doesn't love her in return. Billie sings from the bottom of her heart as she draws upon her personal pain from unrequited love. As always, Billie's delivery is flawless.

The liner notes include an informative essay by Timme Rosenkrantz; and the black and white pictures of Holiday are very tastefully arranged. The song credits and recording dates are there for you, too.

We will never again see another Billie Holiday. During her all too brief life she gave us more than most entertainers and "celebrities" do in a full lifetime. We are so much richer for Billie sharing her endless talents with us; and fortunately we can continue to experience her talents on CD for ages to come.

Billie Holiday is an amazing artist and I am proud to have her CD.

Every tune is fab! Thankfully, the remastering has not diminished the old scratchy sound typically found in recordings from this era.

This is why I hate most modern jazz. This has genuine feeling, a raw sound, natural flow, and catchy licks--things lacking these days, IMO.

Pick this up if you are not a huge jazz collector, but just wish to add something worthwile to your otherwise ecclectic collection of music.

I heard this CD while I was walking around Borders and just had to have it. These are early recordings - the music is fresh and joyous - the vocals are superb. I especially love the recordings of "Miss Brown To You," "What a Little Moonlight Can Do" (a treat), "Some Other Spring" and my very favorite, "I Can't Get Started." I have other Holiday recordings. However, this is the one I play again and again. I only wish that it had "Good Morning Heartache" on it. Oh, well.