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Post by Admin on Jul 17, 2013 13:38:16 GMT -5
Which is your favorite? Billie Holiday: The Complete Decca Recordings Lady Day - Complete Columbia Recordings Billie Holiday - The Complete Billie Holiday on Verve Billie Holiday - The Complete Commodore Recordings or is it just a single session like the Jazz Masters 12?
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Post by Admin on Jul 17, 2013 14:29:17 GMT -5
My favorite - The Decca Recordings Billie recorded the Decca sessions between 1944 and 1950 and in my opinion were the best recordings featuring her vocals. The backing is not quite as "Jazzy" as the earlier Columbia sessions, but I love many of the tracks, such as Lover Man. Now, many of the Columbia recordings do feature a great jazz ensemble. For instance: Summertime Or one of my favorites - Billie's Blues As far as the Verve recordings go, many think her voice was shot by this time, but Blue Moon didn't seem to agree with this assessment. Of course, some of the Verve recordings were made in the late 40's.
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Post by muddylives on Jul 18, 2013 3:17:19 GMT -5
I like almost all of Billie Holiday's recordings, but am particularly attached to the Columbia sides. The Teddy Wilson led bands that usually played with her just can't be beat. At that time, Billie Holiday covered beautifully the entire emotional range, from joy to sadness, excitement to disappointment. Many of later recordings on Verve are also beautiful, but almost uniformally sad. I also love the Deccas, but miss the great jazz accompaniments on her other sides.
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Post by jaw on Jul 18, 2013 5:33:43 GMT -5
My favourites are the 1930s Columbia recordings. The Scottish Hep label released the ones she made with Teddy Wilson on relatively excellent sounding CDs that were mastered by the late John R.T. Davies: www.hepjazz.com/hep_jazz_1000_series.html#anchorwilsonI don't like the big Columbia box in its various forms, Billie's voice and some instruments sound harsh in places. I prefer the old Japanese CBS/Sony box and the long OOP "Complete Edition" series on the (now defunct) French Masters of Jazz label.
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Post by Admin on Jul 18, 2013 7:10:05 GMT -5
Interesting information JAW. It's informative to know there are so much difference between the various box sets. I am glad we have someone who has taken the time to listen to each one for the unique qualities. Thanks.
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Post by tom1960 on Jul 20, 2013 16:17:53 GMT -5
I've own the Decca collection, although I don't play it often enough. I've read mixed reviews on the Verve set. Her voice is very weak at this stage of her career. Some cite is as difficult to listen to. Which is probably why I've shied away from this collection for so long. I would really like to hear others thoughts on this set. Convince me it is worthy of purchase? I've read many positive reviews on the Columbia set, which is probably what I would get before anything else. I just haven't pulled the trigger on that monster set.
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Post by muddylives on Jul 20, 2013 18:21:36 GMT -5
Tom - I really love the Columbia set. It is one of my favorite box sets of music. I really like the sound although, as you can see from jaw's post above, opinions can differ.
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Post by tom1960 on Jul 20, 2013 19:12:58 GMT -5
Tom - I really love the Columbia set. It is one of my favorite box sets of music. I really like the sound although, as you can see from jaw's post above, opinions can differ. Thanks John! I'll give your recommendation serious consideration. At last check I can get this set for under $30 US on Amazon Marketplace.
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Post by jaw on Jul 21, 2013 6:07:15 GMT -5
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Post by poetrylover3 on Jul 25, 2013 3:40:31 GMT -5
I'll second Muddy's comments. The backing is tremendous, Billie as an actress displays astonishing range on the Columbia "lady Day" sides. I play this set often.
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Post by Admin on Jul 29, 2013 13:29:26 GMT -5
From the Columbia sides - Am I Blue
Great vintage Lady Day with a great accompanist group.
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Post by Admin on Feb 8, 2014 7:30:28 GMT -5
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Post by JamesP on Apr 4, 2015 16:24:55 GMT -5
Bump Up on Billie Holiday's anniversary of her 100 th year
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Post by voodoo on May 14, 2015 7:50:16 GMT -5
Billie Holiday was that once In a generation voice, and she was more than just a voice , she sang the truth which at the time for blacks was HARD TIME, the reason I picked the Decca record set is because it seems like she hit a stride while at Decca.
Billie was somewhat like JohnLennon singing about political Bs, she pulled bo punches singing about the hangings of Black men down south . Though known by the younger crowd from the Movie Lady sings the Blues.... Billie was far more than that.....
She has the FIRST ANIT RACISM song in the Smithsonian Institute whe she sang the song....STRANGE FRUIT...... this is a song about the Blue fruit hanging from a tree that bears no fruit n that Blue Fruit was the glueing body of a young 18 yo found hung from an ash tree...... The powers to be tried to keep this song down but could not it was REALITY at its WORST, it created exposure to those in the Senate n House of Rep that were KKK members to drop out....
Like I said a women not Afraid Of the backlash from. This song.
Billie opened the doors for so many other great women to follow, she could captivate an audience like Janis Joplin .....
There will never be another Billie or Janis, but man we surely were lucky to have em for the short time we did James
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Post by rooster on Jun 2, 2015 17:36:19 GMT -5
Another I like is the Complete Commodore Master Takes. A really great single disc collection. rooster
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