Billy Remembers Billie (CD)

• Category:  Music  »  Jazz  »  Classic Jazz Vocals
• Format: CD   Learn more about the CD format using Tower WIKI.
• Release Date: January 11, 2005
• Label: Verve (USA)
• UPC: 602498648827
• WAPI (Tower ID): 106440674
• Average Customer Review: There are no customer reviews yet. Be the first to write a review!
• Tower.com Sales Rank: #153601 in Music (See Top 100 Music Bestsellers)
• #13935 in Jazz (See Top 100 Jazz Bestsellers)
• #369 in Classic Jazz Vocals (See Top 100 Classic Jazz Vocals Bestsellers)

Browse more products related to "Billy Remembers Billie"

Browse more products related to "Billie Holiday"

Personnel include: Billie Holiday (vocals); Bob Bain, Jimmy McLin (guitar); David Friscina, Joseph Quadri (violin); Maurice Perlmutter (viola); Kurt Reher (cello); Dick Eckles (flute); Lem Davis, Bill Stegmeyer (alto saxophone); Kenneth Hollon, Armand Camgras, Hank Ross (tenor saxophone); Stan Webb (baritone saxophone); Doc Cheatham, Joe Guy (trumpet); Vic Dickenson (trombone); Eddie Heywood, Sonny White, Charles La Vere (piano); John Simmons, Lou Butterman (bass instrument); Eddie Dougherty, Nick Fatool, Sid Catlett (drums); Gordon Jenkins Singers (background vocals).

Liner Note Authors: Ashley Kahn; Billy Crystal.

Recording information: 1939 - 1950.

Arrangers: Eddie Heywood; Gordon Jenkins.

This Verve sampler has actor/comedian Billy Crystal selecting his favorite tracks by the great Billie Holiday, an unlikely association if ever there was one. However, the connection is not merely arbitrary. Milt Gabler, a producer who helped craft some of Lady Day's most memorable releases in the 1940s, was Crystal's uncle. Consequently, Crystal's first-hand familiarity with Holiday's Gabler-produced recordings inform this fine compilation. (Only one of the 15 tracks here, "God Bless the Child," was not produced by Gabler).

Strange degrees of separation aside, BILLY REMEMBERS BILLIE is an outstanding compilation that brings together some of the finest performances Holiday ever put to tape. Included here are definitive versions of "Embraceable You," "Lover Man (Oh, Where Can You Be?)," and the monumental "Strange Fruit," a highly controversial song exposing racist crimes (Gabler bravely recorded it when no one else would). The mid-'40s were arguably Holiday's peak; her voice had deepened and grown more textured than in her brighter early work, but was not yet as worn as it would become on later releases. In fact, these intimate sessions, in which Holiday's sweet, aching voice is urged on by a small combo, are essentially perfect.

There are no customer reviews yet. Be the first to write a review!

• Great Deals on CDs under $9.99

  New Releases, Bestsellers and Classic Albums all for under $10! Great Music for Everyone's Tastes!

• Great Deals on DVDs under $12.99

  New Releases, Bestsellers and Classic DVDs all for under $13! Great Movies, TV and DVD Specials for Everyone's Tastes!

• Great Deals on Books under $14.99

  New Releases, Bestsellers and Classic Books all for under $15! Great Reads for Everyone's Tastes!