Ultimate Billie Holiday

Billie Holiday | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 4, 1997)
• Original Release Date: November 4, 1997
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Polygram Records
• ASIN: B0000047FW
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #409,202 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing, March 28, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Ultimate Billie Holiday (Audio CD)

This is a great CD. If you buy only one Billie Holiday CD, let it be this one. It moves; it's funny; it's poignant; it's not too loud, and it's great for any time -- especially late evening. Excellent listening.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow, June 20, 2001

By 

G. Sawaged - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ultimate Billie Holiday (Audio CD)

This album contains 16 wonderful songs as only Billie Holiday can sing them. Chosen for this album by the great Shirley Horn, they include songs from 1945 through to 1956. When I first got this album I thought that half of the songs I already had on a different compilation, but no...they may be the same songs but not the same performances, which was a nice suprise. Some of the tracks are live performances, while others are studio. This is truly a great album, and Shirley Horn writes such touching notes on how she saw Billie perform shortly before she died, that just reduced me to tears it was so sad. This is an album that EVERY music fan should own.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars In a Word...Phenomenal, March 13, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Ultimate Billie Holiday (Audio CD)

I wasn't a great Billie Holiday fan until now. From the very first cut (Lover Come Back To Me), this CD is awesome! Since hearing it, I've become interested in all her backup musicians, particularly the ones who seemed to compliment Billie's offbeat, yet wonderful stylizations (such as Lester Young, a soulmate in friendship and musical ability). Hearing the songs made me sad that Fletcher Henderson never thought to blend his band arrangements and Clarence Holiday's strong guitar rhythms to Bilie's halting vocal shadings. If ever a human voice mimicked a horn, hers did and she played with a skill and emotion that touched the soul of the listener. Lady Day was truly one-of-a-kind and this CD captures the essence of of her artistry.