Mystery Lady: Songs of Billie Holiday

Billie Holiday (Tribute), Billie Holiday, Etta James

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 15, 1994)
• Original Release Date: March 1, 1994
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: RCA Victor
• ASIN: B0000000LG
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #48,362 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  Music > Blues > Classic Female Vocal Blues

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording
The real mystery is why it took so long for Etta James to win a Grammy. But this great American vocalist claimed her first statue by paying tribute to another grand singer. James's versions of Billie Holiday-identified tunes like "Don't Explain," "You've Changed," "Lover Man," and "The Man I Love" are the best readings of Lady Day's signatures in a generation. Pianist Cedar Walton leads the seven-piece band in spare and graceful arrangements faithful to the mainstream jazz sound of the '40s and '50s, which gives James ample room to exercise her soaring range and deliver a dazzling, seductive, and warm tour de force. --Ted Drozdowski

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Etta Rocks, February 5, 2001

By	Peter (East of Los Angeles) - See all my reviews

Being a big Billie Holiday fan, I admit to listening to this CD with some skepticism. There have been many Billie tribute CD's over the years, few ever equalling her soulfulness and artistry, but after listening to this CD, Etta really opens my eyes and ears. I wouldn't expect someone primarily known as a soul-R&B singer to nail down these songs in an entirely new blues-soul context yet retaining its jazz structure. She doesn't really have Billie's fragility of phrasing, but shows the same X factor of emotional and gut-wrenching elements in her interpretations, though on a grander scale. She adds some of her ever-present feistiness as well, which of course Billie never had, but it never detracts from the jazz feel of this CD. Feistiness is, after all, what makes her Etta James. She shows remarkable restraint when she needs to be in this jazz context. Congrats to a brave Etta in tackling these songs so identified with Billie. You pulled it off, girl!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Massage for your soul, March 22, 2000

By	Susana Mata (United States) - See all my reviews

The blend between Etta James and Billie Holiday makes this album sensuous and hot. Etta James' voice is sultry and expresses the exhilaration, passion and pain of being in love. Like life, love is complex and full of surprises. I kept trying to identify which song I liked the best. They are all great. It felt like a massage for my soul and made my heart smile.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One and Only, April 5, 2001

By	"auzemoto" (College Station, TX USA) - See all my reviews

That question about being trapped on an island and only having one CD: This is it. I've all but worshiped Billie Holiday for a long time, but as hard as it is to admit, Etta may well have bested Lady Day here. In her voice, strength, courage, fragility, and tenderness all come through at the same time. Not muddling, but feeding off one another. She brings depth to these timeless songs that even the great Holiday seldom delivered.

"Ghost of a Chance" left me trembling. "How Deep is the Ocean" has never been deeper. And this is by far the best interpretation of "I'll Be Seeing You" ever recorded...in my less than humble opinion. Do yourself a favor and buy it today.