Customer Reviews

The Quintessential Billie Holiday, Vol.2: 1936

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

 

 

Hard to believe Billie was only 21 when she recorded these sides, some of them becoming definitive versions of American standards. This set was the beginning of Billie Holiday's legacy--her greatness at capturing a song's spirit. Her mastery of time and swing is so confident that it's hard to believe she was that young. To those accustomed to hearing Billie's '50s Verve output of slow, melancholic recordings, this volume comes as a surprise and relief. A fresh, vibrant Holiday performs with all the spirit and energy of a 21-year old. She swings either gently or pulsatingly on most of the 16 tracks. Definiitve swinging versions pop up here like "I Cried For You" "Fine Romance" "Way You Look Tonight" and "These Foolish Things". Billie takes even dreck such as "One Two Button Your Shoe" and "Guess Who" and makes them not only listenable but downright enjoyable. Sound is pretty decent considering this was 1936. CD has good bass sound.

I think that its just amazing that this woman has achieved such a masterpieces at the time when she was 21 years old!To collect all of 9 volumes of this great, incredible "Columbia" colections would take some time but I am sure I would listen and love all of them.Even on the previous volume 1 I noticed that being young and black, Billie didnt always have great songs and sometimes at the beggining of her career she had to take whatever was offered to her, even some silly songs of the day.Some readers didnt like my opinion, but that is the fact - even here on volume 2, there are 8 brilliant and great songs mixed together with 8 forgettable songs that no one remebers anymore.As this was beggining of her career, it would take some time before she would finally achieve status of big star so her repertoar would be different.Personaly, I LOVE "Billie's blues" and I think she was simply great singing that sort of songs (maybe much better than love songs of the time) that folowed way of her idols Louis Armstrong and Bessie Smith.Listening to them, Billie somehow managed to built her own style which was combination of Louis and Bessie but from inside, not vocally.I love writtings of William Brooks on these volumes, but I dont share his opinion always - he said that her version of "Summertime" is best ever and her "The way you look tonight" its dissapointment.Well, for me this 1936. "Summertime" is not excatly what Gershwins had in mind as a gently lullaby but I really like her playful "The way you look tonight" which swing gently.It's OK, it just showes that we love different things, why not?I love Billie dearly and I am planning to collect all of "Columbia's "9 volumes eventually.

Although this isn't my favorite of Billie's recordings, it is an excellent compilation of her songs and stylistic devices. Also listen to the double cd set "Billie Holiday, Best of the Verve Years"

Billie Holiday is One OF the Few Artists Ever in The History of Music who Just Got Better with Time.You Feel The Emotion&Heart.this Set Captures A Younger Holiday Sounding Wonderful.How Many Of TODAY'S Younger Vocalists can You say that About?Very Essential Collection.A Great Innovator.

Billie Holiday is One OF the Few Artists Ever in The History of Music who Just Got Better with Time.You Feel The Emotion&Heart.this Set Captures A Younger Holiday Sounding Wonderful.How Many Of TODAY'S Younger Vocalists can You say that About?Very Essential Collection.A Great Innovator.