2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Billie's Performance Saves the Day, February 5, 2001
This review is from: The Quintessential Billie Holiday, Vol.7: 1938-1939 (Audio CD)
I would not say this particular set is very memorable only because the song selection is not the strongest. Yet 3 classics emerged from these recording sessions that became part of the Holiday canon: "More Than You Know" "Some Other Spring" and "Dream of Life". The last one written by none other than a teenaged Carmen McRae who worshipped Holiday's artistry. The rest of the songs are almost forgettable that Billie somehow manages to save with her exquisite phrasing and musicianship. Compared to the earlier swinging sides, the pace here is strangely slower and more melancholic. Billie does her best to save the drecky material and mostly succeeds. The sound quality is noticeably clearer compared to the earlier Quintessentials and her backup guys are as wonderful as ever, but I wouldn't say this is an "Essential" volume in the Quintessential series.
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