Customer Reviews

Billie Holiday's Greatest Hits (Decca)

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This album was my introduction to Lady Day, and what an intro. From the first slowly slinky phrases of 'Easy Living' there's hardly a duff moment. IMHO, the one misguided moment is the inclusion of a version of 'God Bless The Child' with a schmaltzy choir intro. If you can forgive that, there's plenty here to delight and seduce the vocal jazz newbie. 'Solitude' and 'Good Morning, Heartache' are *beyond* torch songs: Holiday's small, wounded-bird cry works its way under your skin and settles into your soul. The leisurely, easy 'You're My Thrill' is seduction by sound, evoking small, smoky, dimly lit nightclubs, a half-empty whisky glass, the scent of Gitanes on someone's hair...pure magic. Holiday's knack of hitting those notes like a human trumpet (a trick which might not sound appealing, but has to be heard to be believed) is showcased brilliantly on 'Them There Eyes'. 'Don't Explain' is an entirely adult love song, love with none of the jagged edges smoothed off, and no shadows to hide the truth in.

All in all, this is an album made for listening to late at night, in semi-darkness, with a summer breeze bearing the sounds of the city drifting through the window. If you can't get that, then try putting it on, shutting your eyes and letting Lady Day take you away. You won't regret it.

For newcomers to Billie Holiday and for those who want one CD that represents her work, this is not the CD to buy. Much of Billie's greatness was her rapport with musicians, and on this CD, Billie is on one world and the musicians on another. Aside from the atrocious arrangements, Billie can be heard rushing through her tunes, clipping her phrases, not having any musical space to breathe life into these songs. This CD is a total rip-off. If I could only have one Billie Holiday collection, it would be the old one on Columbia/Sony, "God Bless The Child." Good luck finding it, as it seems to be out of print.

...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!

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.

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.

This is another great album that I listen to ALL THE TIME!! I Highly recommend this album! This compilation deserves 25 stars!

While it is true, no one album could contain all of Billie Holiday's greatest hits, it's not a bad start. I you have just discovered Billie Holiday and you want to listen to some of her best renditions then this album isn't a bad place to start. Billie Holiday is so rare a talent that we may never see another like her again. So much of who she was is heard in her voice that it is often feels like an intrusion into the mind of another individual. At the same time, that is what makes Billie Holiday the greatest. So much of what music is today is vapid beyond belief. What with singers that convey no emotion because they have none to offer, lyrics that are as sharp as a butter knife and listeners who get excited over any tripe handed to them in their lethargic ears. In short, Billie Holiday is for everyone, everyone who has a discerning taste for quality. Buying this album is like taking the first bite of a meal that is going to satisfy both your taste buds and your soul.

Her voice cannot be duplicated. Her voice is very beautiful and olden day and she lets you into the pain love and men have brought her.

I just love her voice and all the emotions she invokes in me when I hear her sing. I love EVERY song on this CD. The only one missing is I'm a Fool to Want You. This is a must have!

I got this album over a decade ago. While I'm no music scholar, and maybe it's because this was the first Billie Holiday CD I owned, let me tell you...this one's a gem. Of all the Billie albums I own (and that's quite a few now), this one keeps getting played. I enjoy the arrangements, her somewhat imprecise but emotional/playful musicality, the track order. It's perfect rainy day music, perfect morning music, perfect late night, with wine, in the car, etc. The versions of Solitude and Them There Eyes are worth the price alone. There's some magic in these recordings, and one could do much worse than purchasing this one.