Billie Holiday - The Complete Commodore Masters LP+CD

Billie Holiday was probably the most lyrical and expressive female vocalist in jazz history. This set compiles her complete sessions 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. Two rare tracks, which constitute Billie's only recordings with the Artie Shaw and with the Paul Whiteman orchestras, have been added here as a bonus. Includes 20-page booklet.

Tracklist:

1. Strange Fruit
2. Yesterdays
3. Fine and Mellow
4. I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues
5. How Am I to Know?
6. My Old Flame
7. I’ll Get By
8. I Cover the Waterfront
9. I’ll Be Seeing You
10. I’m Yours
11. Embraceable You
12. As Time Goes By
13. He’s Funny That Way
14. Lover Come Back to Me
15. I Love My Man (AKA Billie’s Blues)
16. On the Sunny Side of the Street

About this product: this release is pressed on black vinyl. Includes a CD version.