High Quality, Coloured Vinyl, Limited Edition
Billie Holiday was probably the most lyrical and expressive female vocalist in jazz history. This set compiles the complete master takes she recorded for the legendary Commodore label. Made between Billie's contracts for Columbia/ Okeh and Decca, these recordings present her in top form, backed by excellent small groups featuring such names as Frankie Newton, Freddie Webster, Tab Smith, Vic Dickenson, Eddie Heywood, and Sidney Catlett. Among the highlights of the set are Billie's first version of the shocking "Strange Fruit", which she used to conclude her stage performances, as well as readings of famous standards she would never record again, such as "As Time Goes By" and "I'll Be Seeing You". 16 TRACKS - 180-GRAM COLORED RED VINYL - Contains new specially prepared liner notes by Penguin Guide to Jazz's writer BRIAN MORTON and by Paris' prestigious JAZZ MAGAZINE. LIMITED EDITION[info sheet from distr.]