Strange Fruit [Import]

Billie Holiday | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 4, 1999)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Jazz World
• ASIN: B00002DDJ3
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #157,486 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Body and Soul

2. Strange Fruit

3. The Man I Love

4. Gee Baby, Ain't I Good to You

5. All of Me

6. Billie's Blues

7. I Cried for You

8. Fine and Mellow

9. He's Funny That Way

10. Trav'lin' Light

11. He's Funny That Way

12. You'd Better Go Now

13. You're Driving Me Crazy

14. There Is No Greater Love

15. I Cover the Waterfront

Editorial Reviews

15 track European collection of tracks from the great Jazz singer, featuring her signature song "Strange Fruit", "Body & Soul", "Fine & Mellow", "I Cried For You" and many other greats.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Strange Fruit", September 14, 2004

By 

Katie K. - See all my reviews

This review is from: Strange Fruit (Audio CD)

First off, this album is amazing. It has such soul and rhythm. But what I would really like to tell you about is the song for which this album is named: Strange Fruit.


This is a sensitive subject for many people, especially those whose ancestors suffered. But you can't just deny that it happened. People have to have the courage to realize that horrible things go on in the world. Don't be a coward. Listen. People have to understand. You can't just pretend it didn't happen because you don't want to hear about it or think that your ancestors might have done it.

I first heard this song on "Touched by an Angel". It made me want to cry, to scream. A Jewish teacher wrote this song as a poem and gave it to Billie Holiday. She was so touched by it that she had music written for it and decided to sing it. It was a very touchy subject so at first no one clapped, no one dared to make a sound. But finally there was a lone clap somewhere in the audience and suddenly there was a thunderous ovation.

I greatly admire both the teacher and Holiday for having the courage to stand up in defiance of the horrors. The teacher's words penetrate, cutting deep. They don't beg you to listen, they command you.

Some may think that this subject doesn't involve because, hell, they weren't there, they didn't participate. But they are wrong. This is about what people just like you and me allowed, even encouraged to happen.

This isn't just a song about death. It's about the ignorance, the hate, the lives, the souls, the people.

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars 1945-47, August 16, 2006

By 

Stephen J. Chalke (Virginia) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Strange Fruit (Audio CD)

If you're looking for Billie in her prime, look elsewhere. All the music on this CD was recorded between '45 and '47 after she had lost her voice. Look for the classic recording of Strange Fruit from '39 on one of the other CDs available.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful., July 4, 2006

By 

Willow Moon Pearce "Think Amazon." - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Strange Fruit (Audio CD)

A great recording with strange fruit absent from so many of her recordings. Why is that? This will appeal to any lover of Billie Holliday and her music. Listen to " strange fruit ".