4


Taken from a couple of sessions taped during 1955-1956, Lady Sings the Blues finds Holiday in top form and backed by the sympathetic likes of tenor saxophonists Budd Johnson and Paul Quinichette, trumpeter Charlie Shavers, pianist Wynton Kelly, and guitarist Billy Bauer. And while these autumnal sides bear some of the frayed vocal moments often heard on Holiday’s ’50s Verve sides, the majority here still ranks with her best material. This is especially true of the cuts from a June 1956 date, which produced unparalleled versions of “No Good Man,” “Some Other Spring,” and “Lady Sings the Blues.”

Personnel: Billie Holiday (vocals); Kenny Burrell, Barney Kessel (guitar); Anthony Sciacca (clarinet); Willie “The Lion” Smith (alto saxophone); Paul Quinichette (tenor saxophone); Harry “Sweets” Edison , Charlie Shavers (trumpet); Wynton Kelly, Bobby Tucker (piano); Red Callender, Aaron Bell (bass guitar); Chico Hamilton, Leonard Browne (drums).

Tracklist

01. Say It Isn’t So
02. I ‘ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm
03. I Wished On The Moon
04. Always
05. Everything Happens To Me
06. Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me
07. Ain’t Misbehavin’
08. Trav’lin Light
09. I Must Have That Man!
10. Some Other Spring
11. Lady Sings The Blues
12. Strange Fruit
13. God Bless The Child
14. Good Morning Heartache
15. No Good Man
16. Rehearsal for God Bless The Child