I adore Billie Holiday and if you don't this planet isn't big enough for both of us and you have to get off. See ya.
Just kidding. But if you're someone who's been waiting for just the right Lady Day collection to come along before taking the plunge, the wait is over. "Billie Holiday: The Ultimate Collection" surveys her career on two CDs with excellent selections and excellently restored sound, plus a packed DVD of related material including rare film footage and a radio interview by, get this, a young Mike Wallace. Just a fantastic package, even at $40. (Be smart. Wait for a Border's e-mail coupon like me.)
The DVD also has film of Louis Armstrong and Bessie Smith, whom Holiday credited as prime influences on her singing. The Bessie Smith entry is, in essence, an early music video. Fascinating.
2 comments:
I've been thinking about getting the set but I haven't because I have so many Billie Holiday albums. My favorite collection is "The Silver Collection."
For someone who doesn't consume CDs like breath mints, heh, heh, heh, "Ultimate..." and "Lady in Autumn: The Best of the Verve Years" would provide a nice, varied four-disk selection.
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