Reviews (3)

A Shining Addition to Any Collection
The consolidation of record companies is generally bad, but this 3-CD box set was only possible because MCA acquired the rights to some outstanding early "race" record labels (Vocalion, Decca) and classy early R&B (e.g. Chess). The result is an intelligent, sequenced collection that is much more than a jarring, random assortment of songs by blues masters. Starting with the Delta blues, the mix seems subtly slanted in favor of bawdy, roadhouse-style blues performances--why it's the devil's music and you can't stay away from it. Whether it's Peetie Wheatstraw, Louis Jordan, John Lee Hooker or Etta James, these performances will seduce you. Good quality sound throughout (even the old stuff), with a handsome booklet.

An excellent blues collection
I own tons of blues CD's and records but I find myself going back to this collection over and over again. The songs represent some of the strongest recordings by the masters of the blues. Whether your interest is delta blues, piano blues, jump blues, Chicago blues or smooth urban blues; you'll find plenty to peak your ear. If you're lucky as I was, you'll find some unfamiliar and great artists to lead you down new musical roads. Some of my personal favorites are: That's No Way to Get Along - Robert Wilkins, What's the Matter with the Mill? - Kansas Joe McCoy, Floating Bridge - Sleepy John Estes, Mother Earth - Memphis Slim, It Serves You Right to Suffer - John Lee Hooker- just to name a few. Since I've got a 1,000 word limit in this review it prevents me from listing every great track on the collection and all the reasons you should purchase it. Suffice to say, buy it now and you won't be sorry!

Best Collection of Classic Blues!
I have purchased a lot of Blues recordings recently, but for a single purchase, this collection would be the best. It has the one or two most recognized songs from the most prominent Blues artists from 1927 to 1969, without the "scratches" of the old '78's!!! ... Read more

Reviews (6)

An Excellent Collection -- Especially if You're New to Dinah
Much of Dinah Washington's music was ruined in my opinion by too many strings and syrupy arrangements. This is a great collection of songs -- some ballads and others that really swing -- and most have very spare arrangements, drums, bass, piano or guitar, a couple of horn(s) and, most importantly, Dinah's vocals pure and unadulterated. Recorded in 1955 with great session players and arrangments by Quincy Jones -- these are the real deal and don't get any better.

This album is great
This is certainly one of Dinah's greatest albums. This 1955 treasure should certainly be admired by all of Dinah's biggest fans. My favorite song on this album is I Get A Kick Out Of You. Other favorites are This Can't Be Love and her soulful version of Blue Gardenia. Love this album. If youre a serious fan, get this one-even if you arent a jazz and blues fan youll like this album!

Great voice, great songs: Dinah leaves her mark.
Well, the first thing you'll notice when you look at this album is the careful selection of songs. 10 songs that match in perfection Dinah's style. No songs about happy love with easy lyrics, but instead, songs about more complex emotions... like "You don't know what love is" - a beautiful (and very famous) song about the true consequences of love that one experiences after a love lost. Dinah's voice (like Billie Holiday's) is one of those who put deep feeling above the simple act of crooning through a song. The second major thing about this album is the careful use of the band (again, Quincy Jones shows us his magic!): Not a big orchestra with a full string section, but a small band with Wynton Kelly(p), Clark Terry(t), Barry Galbraith(g) and other peak musicians. This means that we have the best band with some of the 50's top Jazz players who give Dinah the perfect space for her strong, firm and wide voice. And what a voice! She sings through "My Old Flame" and "Blue Gardenia" with sheer perfection! All the songs were carefully chosen and most of these recordings present us with the best readings one can hope for. Dinah is the top and this album flashes her art. Only one flaw... I would love to listen to outakes, rehearsals and all the stuff they include in other albums....

In Love of Dinah!
An excellent CD! Dinah sings here in a completely relaxed manner. Quincy Jones is to be commended for his understated arrangements that bring out the mellow side of Dinah. Her voice is in great shape, sometimes on other CDs, a little roughness creeps in, but not here. She is so smooth and relaxed and the quality of the voice is fresh. Songs are well-chosen and perfectly accompanied by Quincy's small band. A perfect CD to play while reading a book or watching the rain on your window pane.

The Best of Dinah
Have been a Dinah fan for over ten years. This is a must have! Especially for all women who love love-drenched,heart-arresting, romantical music. This CD has a song for every type of relationship known to mankind. Dinah's voice is so matured, elegant, and mesmerizing in these particular songs. Each note is crafted, and tamed by her unique ability to always create a blues tinged, jazz vocal style, which she so magnificently posseses. No other compilation of jazz compares. She is highly Underrated. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential recording

In 1939 Lewis Allan's song "Strange Fruit" was a focal point of Billie Holiday's performances, a grimly poetic evocation of lynching delivered with tremendous dramatic power. It was so pointed a protest, however, that Columbia refused to record it. Milt Gabler arranged to record it for Commodore, his independent jazz label, and when it was paired with the sensual "Fine and Mellow," it became Holiday's first hit record. This two-CD set includes all the takes from the 1939 and 1944 sessions, and they're some of Holiday's finest moments in the recording studio, combining first-rate material and sympathetic support that includes pianist Eddie Heywood, drummer Sid Catlett, and trombonist Vic Dickenson. Holiday's vocal and interpretive skills were seldom as beautifully balanced as they are here. --Stuart Broomer ... Read more

Reviews (6)

FANTASTIC COLLECTION OF BILLIE & THE SOUND IS SPLENDID!
All the old Commodore Jazz recordings have been taken over by MCA Records and an extensive reissue of the labels
recordings is currently underway. One release that will instantly appeal to every Jazz fan is this new Billie Holiday 2 CD set The
Complete Commodore Recordings. Of the 16 tunes featured you actually get a total of 45 tunes recorded between '39-'45
for the Commodore label because all are multiple takes with the exception of "On The Sunny Side Of The Street" & "Fine And
Mellow". Some of the classics included are "I Cover The Waterfront (4 takes)," "Billies Blues" (3 takes), "Embraceable You"
(2 takes) and probably the most controversial classic of all Billie's recordings...The landmark recording "Strange Fruit" offered
in 2 different takes. The booklet is breathtaking! A walloping 40 pages full of great historical info on these recordings and the
great Lady Day during these years is excellent. Rare pix, complete recording data and producers' info on putting this
masterwork together is also included so you get the inside story correctly. All this material has been digitally remastered and
should come as a very big surprise to many when you hear the playback. A must!

Billie at her most spectacular (?)
This was my first Billie Holiday recording, so maybe I'm biased. But after hearing lots and lots of Billie since, I still think that this collection has been the most galvanizing of Billie Holiday listening experiences. Her voice was in absolute perfect pitch here. Her voice sounded a bit deeper in previous recordings (unless that's due to the production), and her voice got more ragged as the years progressed. But here she sings like a cornet; the only person that I've heard that tried to sing like her and even came close was probably Dinah Washington (but in her own way). Billie could sing at a pitch that is absolutely exhilarating. If this is what you want to hear, or if this is making you curious, then get these recordings and you'll immediately know what I mean.

If you don't want to spring for this double set (with many alternate takes), then get the "Commodore Master Takes". It has all the songs, but only the popular released versions of them. This ESSENTIAL Billie Holiday. If you're only going to get one Billie Holiday CD, get this or the "Commodore Master Takes". This is timeless stuff that you'll NEVER want to get rid of.

Strange Fruit/Fine and Mellow
If ever a song caused trouble it was "Strange Fruit" Billie had been singing this at Barney Josephens Cafe Society (downtown) for a while before she was able to record it. The record got terrible reviews by the press as it was not a mainstream song and it cost $1.00 (a lot of bread in 1939! However, even though it was not the first song about lynching (Suppertime by Ethel Waters, and a few rare blues dealt with this subject) it was the most visible. "Fine and Mellow" was the big star of the day and was on every jukebox in Harlem in fact Decca tried to steal the song from Billie and had Mamie Smith record it (it failed) The rest of the songs on this track are basic Holiday Night Club fare. These were songs she sang in most clubs and are wonderful to hear again and again.

For New Students of Billie Holiday Listen to Strange Fruit on Commodore and then on Verve. The Commodore is the one that still sends a chill down my spine! For advanced students listen to "I have a right to sing the blues by Billie and then Mildred Bailey. Then you will know without a shadow of a doubt why we still rever Lady when we cant remember Ethel or Mildred what's her name!

The Quintessentail Billie Holiday CD set...
This is an essentail CD set for any Billie Holiday(perhaphs the only more essential set is her two CD set "The Complete Decca Recordings")fan it includes the classic "Strange Fruit" outtakes of almost every songs, and every song she made into a standard. Billie Holiday's voice had not yet been effected by her drug habbit, so you'll hear nothing but her gorgious sensual and at times sad and longing voice. Holiday was the quintessential torch singer, and this two CD set of all her Commadore seesions proves what a great torch singer she was. An excellent CD.

The Missing "E"
I wish to make a correction to my previous review. I realize that I mispelled Nina's last name. The correct spelling is Simone. So, if you're looking for another version of "Strange Fruit", search for Nina Simone. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A Hidden Treasure
I've been listening to Ella's music for years and had no idea this recording even existed! I happened to stumble upon it at a friend's house and now I have my own copy from Amazon! It's like finding a hidden treasure buried in sand. The 30 songs here are grouped into 6 medleys and backed by an outstanding band, lead by Benny Carter. It's refreshing to hear Ella without a huge orchestra, just a crack band with expert backing by the likes of Louis Bellson and George Auld. Ella sounds absolutely wonderful at the age of 52 (this was made in 1969). She still had the luster of her youth, but at this point in her career, incorporating added emotion and experience in her singing. She oft been (unfairly) criticized for lacking the emotional depth of a Billie Holiday or Dinah Washington. Well, Ella certainly proves her naysayers here wrong with a warm, tender, and often, if needed, wistful, reflective performance. Her interpretation of the songs here is simply breathtaking. And some of those very same songs are associated with her contemporaries---Billie, Dinah and Sarah. The signature Fitzgerald clarity and swing are evident, with the surprising emotional wallop added in for good measure. I only wish they had extended some of the numbers to their full length instead of taking them as a medley, but half is better than none.

The best!
In my opinion, this is the best of Ella's smooth and mellow style. There are actually only 4 tracks, but with a medly of 7-8 songs on each track. There is no scat. It was recorded at the time that Ella was at her peak. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Black Pearls
A perfect introduction to now-forgotten period of music,when women were the first blues stars,this CD is also great company for a book "Black Pearls:Blues Queens of the 1920's" by Daphne Duvall Harrison.While in the book we could find historical and economical background that shaped women like Bessie Smith,Ma Rainey and Ida Cox,on this CD we can hear their voices - through the limitations of primitive recording equipment,spirit of Mamie Smith explodes in our ears from 1920.when her hit "Crazy Blues" started avalanche of blues recordings and opened a door for a new market,as then unknown teritory of "race music" whose first pioneers were women.It's interesting to compare this women to their white sisters from the same era (check "Flappers,Vamps And Sweet Young Things") - while white singers lived and performed in far better circumstances,their songs and type of singing sounds comical today as opposite to these wonderful black singers whose music left beautiful afterglow that still shines,a century later.Of course,at that time they did not know that today we will considered them artists,they were "loose women" condemned by church,often on the road,living hard life and paying their fame with a price of not having family.Popularity of this first blues singers lasted only 10 years and then they were washed away by depression which succesfully destroyed recording bussines for some time,but songs survived until present day - check wonderful Ma Rainey (whose importance as "the mother of the blues" is introduced here by 3 songs!) and Bessie Smith;compare them to other singers and hear for yourself why these two women are called "Mother" and "Empress",why their music overshadowed other contemporaries...Young Louis Armstrong could also be heard here in the full glory of his New Orleans years.Compilation ends with touching example of late Billie Holiday in the autumn of her life - althought swing era singer,Billie actually grew up listening to these women and would often quotte their old verses in her blues songs.Lyrics of her "Stormy Monday" originally could be heard on Clara Smith (Bessie's biggest compentition) 1923."I Never Miss The Sunshine (I'm So Used To The Rain"). ... Read more

Amazon.com essential recording

These recordings reaching from the height of Bessie Smith's fame into her decline in popularity are required listening, covering the years 1928 through 1931. Not only was her voice stronger than ever, but her control over the material was topnotch; she balanced on the fine line between seductive charm and overt sexuality with apparent ease. Some of her best material ever appears on volume 4 of this 5-volume set, including "Standin' in the Rain Blues," "Empty Bed Blues" (speaking of overtness...), "Devil's Gonna Git You," "I'm Wild About That Thing," "Blue Spirit Blues"... but it's useless to even try to list favorites. Smith's voice is so rich and expressive despite the primitive recording technology of the day, one can only imagine what it must have been like to hear her live. And trombonist Charlie Green and pianist James P. Johnson are featured prominently here as well. --Genevieve Williams ... Read more

Amazon.com

Blues 'n' Rhythm Story devotes two discs to four regions--the Midwest, Southwest, West Coast, and East Coast. Featured artists range from the acclaimed (Professor Longhair, Lightnin' Hopkins, Jay McShann, "Cleanhead" Vinson, Dinah Washington) to the wayward. Nevertheless, the overall quality is remarkably high. The 88-page booklet helps put the music in perspective. This isn't a modest investment for a collector, but it's certainly among the elite of the R&B collections yet assembled. --Steven Stolder ... Read more

Reviews (1)

An absolute must for R&B fans!!
This INCREDIBLE 8-CD set covers all of the Mercury blues, R&B and jump music from post-WWII -- the music that laid the foundation for the rock 'n roll revolution of the late '50's. The set is divided by geographic styles; West Coast, Southwest, East Coast and Midwest. There are many artists featured who are all but unknown today, but were popular in the club sub-culture and with returning GI's. I love the small orchestral arrangements of fast, jumpin' blues, boogie, and R&B tunes. The lyrics in many songs are hilarious, and demonstrate the subconscious relief of ending the world wars. Anyone who is remotely interested in R&B and the foundations of rock HAS to get this set. It's expensive, but worth every single penny. I've been listening non-stop since the set arrived, and I walk around all day with the jumpin' and jivin' tunes in my head! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Candye Kane is a publicist's dream. A self-proclaimed "fat, bisexual, ex-porn-star blues singer," Kane is as colorful as a peacock in a paint plant. Indeed, her more flamboyant qualities (we're talking 52-inch bust here!) have earned her a considerable club-circuit following. Swango proves she can also hold her own in the recording studio. Here is ample evidence that Kane is something more than a bawdy chick with a few lewd tricks. What's striking is how comfortable she is as a vocalist, whether she's essaying Big Maybelle's "Candy" or Mama Cass's "Dream a Little Dream." (Kane has a conspicuous affection for weighty women.) Blues, swing, pop, cabaret... Kane is on top of 'em all. And one can imagine each genre letting out a satisfied sigh. --Steven Stolder ... Read more

Reviews (14)

A more then capable blues and swing singer...
Miss Kane is perhaphs one of the most talented female vocalists to emerge grom the "neo swing" revival of teh late 90's. Her vocie recalls Etta James, and at the same time Sophie Tucker. She performs music that ranges from early R&B, jump blues, and dixieland with a 1920's falir, but it all falls in the swing category, and everything is great for dancers(especially lindy hoppers)! The group on this cd is essentially members from her Swingin Armadillos, including boogie woogie Queen of teh piano Miss Sue Palmer. A classic swing set.

Also get:

Candye Kane-The Toughest Gal Alive

and for more of a blues set, rather then all swing try her latest:

Whole Lotta Love

my favorite swing cd
I saw Candye Kane recently, and bought thsi after the show. candye's energy and dirty sense of humore won the audience over, however her voice is what is really special, she has a beautiful clear voice and sings in a 1940's/50's style, and really understands the blues, and knows how to SWING the blues. Her band is so tight and the pianist is a boogie woogie legend Sue Palmer(who has a band of her own, worth checking out), you will be swing dancing in no time once you put this cd in the player. The songs on this cd range from a dexieland version of Dream A Little Dream of Me to full on swing numbers like "200 Pounds Of Fun". This is my personal favorite of Candye's cd's for it really swings and is full of exciting performances. This is an eXTRA special cd, by an extra SPECIAL singer! BUY IT TODAY!

my favorite female vocalist
A friend told me about this, so I bought it and I love it. it is jump blues band with amazing vocals by Cany Cane. you will lvoe this I promise, if you like swing jazz and blues, and even dixieland you will love this

One of the best bands of the late 90's swing revival...
I remember seeing Candye Kane live at the now defuct swing club Music City in Fountian Valley, in California, back when lindy hopping was all the rage(it still is to a few of us). This cd features Kane with her group of the time Her Swing Armadillos, featuring boogie woogie piano great Sue Palmer, who keeps the whole cd, junping! Kane's vocals sound like she's in the 1920's-40's era, and her vocals are strong and very authentic in blues/swing tradition. This is her best all around "swing" cd. It features the great original "Swango", a mix of swing and tango, the fun "200 Lbs Of Fun", a 1920's dixiealnd flavored "Dream A Little Dream Of Me"(that would make even Ruth Etting proud). A Big Mabelle influenced "Candy", and many other enjoyanle songs. Overall this is a consistantly exellent cd, worth picking up, and make sure to see Kane next time she's in town. She is 200 Poulds of FUN!!!

A very polished production but no risks really taken
I purchased this CD because I needed one cut from it to use for social events I put on. I was somewhat suprised in that I expected more of a "live" feel to Swango even though I knew it was a studio project. It turned out just to be the opposite, it sounded like every track was edited with a fine tooth comb. The final result was not bad, just that the overall sound comes across as a little to "processed" for my tastes.

This probably had something to do with the Sire label's attempt to cash in on the swing dance craze that was just beginning to wane at the time the CD was released. Candye Kane fans also complain that Swango is probably her least bawdy CD. Perhaps thats why Sire execs (or the producer Mike Vernon) decided to make Swango a very safe effort so it would offend nobody... The latter claim may just be Candye's own marketing technique to woo a certain alternative audience (but I could be wrong!).

If you just want a straight ahead swing CD to dance to, I would recommend Swango. I suspect Candye's better artistic efforts, however, lie on some of the other CD's she's done. But the REAL reason I'd potentially recommend Swango to a friend...! That alone is EASILY worth the price even if you happen to lose the CD itself later on, lol. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Best of Etta's 1950's recordings for Modern Records.
This is a great collection of all of Etta James' recordings cut for Modern Records when Etta was just a teenager. It includes classic hits from the R&B charts including 'Tuff Lover', 'The Wallflower' as well as manyother sassy recordings. The sound on this CD is outstanding as it has beenmastered from first generation master tapes.Several of the tracksincluding 'Tuff Lover'were recorded in New Orleans with the Cosimo Studiohouse band which also played on hits by Little Richard, Fats Domino, LloydPrice and many others. Buy this bargain priced CD and enjoy the rock'n'rollsounds of 1950's young America. ... Read more

Amazon.com

An American pop vocal icon once called Billie Holiday the only true jazz singer they'd ever heard--and we'll take Tony Bennett at his word. If ever a vocalist embodied--and arguably inspired--the axiom "the singer, not the song," surely it was the fiery first lady of the blues. This second volume of Holiday's best known love songs displays a soul for whom "love" was considerably more than a four-letter word on performances that strut from lusty desire ("I Must Have That Man," "Moanin' Low") and introspective angst ("Why Was I Born?") to earthy renditions of quintessential American songbook classics ("Body and Soul," "More Than You Know" "These Foolish Things"). The selections here are culled from Holiday's mid-'30s/early-'40s prime and backed by jazz and swing era luminaries like Teddy Wilson, Lester Young, and Buck Clayton. Fueled by life experiences that are almost palpable in her phrasing and slinky way around the rhythm, this is Holiday at her most emotionally compelling; a fine primer for a half-century of subsequent vocal styling. --Jerry McCulley ... Read more

Reviews (3)

DINAH!!!! ORIGINAL SOUL DIVA AT HER PEAK!!!!!!!!
The first LP that I purchased in my teens was "The World Of Dinah Washington" and what a thrill it was playing that one!!! As I child I remembered how her hits stood out as something really special and I loved every one of them!!! Her classic duets with Brook Benton paved the way for Marvin and his great ladies and what fun they all were to listen to!! Years later I picked up "Dinah!" and could not believe what a classic I found! A number of years later after listening to this great work countless times, I now feel that this is one of the best vocal albums ever made and my all-time favorite of the great Dinah Washington's. The opener "Look To The Rainbow" pulls you in with a vocal so warm and rich you never want it to end!!! Next the dramatic "Ill Wind" then the haunting "Cottage For Sale" and you know this wonderful collection is going to be pure magic!! Dinah gives a rhythmic soulful reading to "There'll Be Some Changes Made" then is torchy and haunting on the gorgeous "Goodbye" which will both have you hitting the repeat button over and over. Classics like "Willow Weep For Me" and "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes" are the definitive versions here and "Make Me A Present Of You" is seductive and sensual. Cole Porter's classic "What Is This Thing Called Love" is given about a ten minute workout that is amazing and the best ever version!! Every song on this great set is sung to the max and this is a collection that hooks you and doesn't let go!!! Dinah's voice is so full and rich on this great work and her passion for these great songs shines through them all!!! Enjoy as there will never be another singer with a voice like this amazing DIVA!!!!!

Classic!
Old time classics like "More Than You Know", "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes", "The Show Must Go On" and "Ill Wind", among others, get the classy treatment by our "Queen of the Blue's", in true-heart-felt renditions of these torch songs. Dinah's unique voice shines all through this album, although some may find the orchestra's arrangements somewhat dated. Anyway, a Gem!

Great Songs for Tough Times
During the recent events in this city & around the USA, music has been a balm & healer. This CD by the great Dinah-Queen of the Blues, is one of the best to get you through tough times. Just sit back and relish in the great vocals by this artist. It gives me strength to believe, we can move forward. The Show Must Go On! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Refined Alberta Hunter
Those lusty recordings that A.H. made late in her life were my introduction to her. When I bought this LP back in the early 1980's, I was surprised to hear her refined style, particularly on "Two Cigarettes in the Dark." I came to this site today to see if the LP was available on CD. And it is.

If you're expecting the blues, this isn't it. Her style and the arrangements are very sophisticated and pleasing. I recommend it very highly. I expect it will be back in my collection soon.

I need to hear A Hunter not the band to evaluate for purchac
More vocals needed to reveiw adequately ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Perfectly remastered classic
I have to give this CD 5 stars since it provides americans the only chance to listen to the fine voice of Kenneth Spencer. It's worth buing the CD just for the one track he's singing.

Louis, Lena, Ethel, and Eddie in a classic
CABIN IN THE SKY is one of my favorite films, and the soundtrack does full justice to the score and the performers. 5 extended versions and 4 outtakes are welcome additions to this entertaining CD. The combination of jazz and inspirational tunes surpisingly come together very harmoniously in this mixture of fantasy and reality. The sound quality is fine, though a stereo remix was not possible. From the opening "Lil' Black Sheep" to "Taking a Chance on Love" the score is full of gems and anyone who loves musicals will be inspired by this soundtrack.

INCREDIBLE SOUNDTRACK
Duke Ellington, Ethel Waters & Lena Horne, what else could a musical ask for. Three giants of jazz & blues,who show us a small portion of their great indvidual talents on this soundtrack.

Duke Ellington's , Going Up, Lena's version of Ain't it the Truth, and the wonderful swinging vocals of Ethel Waters. One of the african-american divas that was there when blues and jazz started, and one of the earliest to be recorded. Makes you wonder why more musicals were not made with these great artists.Reccommend also all of Miss Waters recordings reissued on the Classics Label from 1921-1940. This cd is a must for anyone interested in jazz or blues. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Historic and very moving!
Ma Rainey didn't have a voice that was strong or beautiful as her protegee Bessie Smith, but she had a deep feeling for the sad songs she performed and I found this ancient recordings very moving!It was still a early age for recordings so technically speaking this recordings are very bad but they have they own charm in spite of that.I love this album and found myself humming the tunes very often. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

This CD rocks!
If you're in to the didge, this cd is a must-have. Put your lips to the didgeridoo and blow! ... Read more

Amazon.com essential recording

Originally released in the late '70s, this studio session paired Etta James with the great Atlantic Records soul-music producer Jerry Wexler and dipped into an eclectic songbook that included Erma Franklin's "Piece of My Heart" as well as British songbird Kiki Dee's "Sugar on the Floor." James transformed the latter from treacle into a touching essay on heartache and loss. Even the Eagles' "Take It to the Limit" becomes a testimonial to the strength of human endurance under James's gospel-inspired command, which leads her to rework a phrase until every possible meaning becomes apparent. She takes this material to its artistic heights, showing the marks of a truly inspired performer. --Ted Drozdowski ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Classic Etta
The ingredients that make this such a great CD are the powerful vocals of Etta James, a tight group of musicians, talented backing vocals, some great songs, and all under the masterful hand of Jerry Wexler. Etta has a controlled thunderous voice, powerful but never screeching or overreaching. She does a definitive version of Piece of My Heart. Sorry Janis, but this lady sings without the histrionics. The songs set the narrative for a woman dealing with despair, defiance, vunerability, and love. Only Women Bleed is a raw, uncomfortable and too personal experience. She takes us to church to testify with an electrifying choir on Strange man. Deep in the night takes us to that lonely experience at 3:00 in the morning thinking back on past loves. Blind Girl tells of that desperate attempt to ignore the truth and hang on to a cheating lover. Etta can wring such emotion from that roller coaster song of truth and illusion. I admit, Sugar on the Floor I do not really get. If I could choose just one Etta James CD, this would be it. She teamed up once more with Jerry Wexler for Right Time, but somehow the magic was not there.

SOULFUL&DEEP
Albums Like this Showcase The Richness&QUality that is Etta James.Her Voice can Tackle any Style&Add Another New Flavor to it.This Record is Very Soulful&Spirited.Very Essential.

At long last---released on CD!!!
I had this LP in the 70's and it was stolen from me during college in 1984. It turned me on to Etta, whose work is marvelous. I've had these tunes in my head for 14 years and am ecstatic that this great collection has been reissued on CD. "I would rather be a blind girl/than to see you walk away" --can't wait to get this CD!!!

One of the great rhythm and blues albums.
A wide range of material performed by Etta at her vocal best. From gospel, to torch, to blues, Etta soars through each genre. Her performace makes each selection come alive--the listener knows that Etta isn't just performing them.

I've been looking for this on CD for many years and glad I finally found it.

Incredible blues LP - now CD
I have looked for this for years... It's Etta James at her best, first on an LP I used to play on the air in my radio days. Can't wait to hear it again - espcially her rendition of Strange Man. ... Read more

Album Description

Limited 'Millennium Edition' reissue of classic 1958 album in a deluxe heavyweight miniaturized LP sleeve complete with inner sleeve and a Japanese-style obi strip on the spine. 12 tracks.Individually numbered. 1999 release. ... Read more

Reviews (55)

An Eternal Classic!
What can you say about one of the greatest albums ever made? I could say plenty when it comes to Lady Day, but I'll keep this brief. I got this for my 12th birthday, and now that I'm in my 40's, I love it even more. The songs are timeless, the arrangements mark the stark contrast between Lady's turmoil and Ellis' lushness. A meaningful, satisfying album that was the favourite of Lady herself! The opening tune is the best version I've ever heard, You've Changed is trademark Billie, For All We Know truly makes you -feel- the words, it's all just too magical. This album is glorious! Truly one of the finest albums that defies description, Lady In Satin is the sound of a bared soul, in all it's beauty and pain, laid bare for the listener who can relate. If you don't have this album, what the hell are you waiting for? Your collection is simply incomplete without it!

Follow arranger-conductor Ray Ellis' advice...
In his new liner notes, arranger-conductor Ray Ellis writes that after listening to this album again, this time emotionally not musically, only did he realize how great it was. Any Billie Holiday fan would heed Ellis' advice. By doing so, one will get a true understanding of the final days of Billie Holiday and her lasting legacy to the world of jazz.

Billie's voice breaks and she is no longer in fine form. But make no mistake, the soul is still there. She never lost it. In "I'm A Fool To Want You," you feel as if you're the one she is pleading to in the line, "Take me back, I love you." I don't know of any other singer, save Tony Bennett, who can evoke such empathy from a listener as Billie does. Listen to "You've Changed" and if you're not moved by her singing, you are artistically dead.

Track no. 15 (elapsed time at 07:49) captures Billie in a rare rehearsal out-take, singing "The End of A Love Affair" a cappella. This is one of the best moments in the album. Unfortunately, she didn't get to finish the song, but the rare moment is captured here for us to relish forever.

"Lady in Satin" is a perfect model for today's so-called pop "divas" (pooh!) who think that by screeching and screaming, they could draw emotion from a song. Take a lesson from Billie Holiday, ladies. Lady Day exuded class and sang with soul. And she didn't have to pierce my ears with her voice. On the contrary, it warms my heart each time I listen to her. Show me a female singer today who can do that.

The Best Ever.
This is my first review on Amazon. I have never felt the need to do a review on Amazon before. Simply because someone would have always said all that I would have wanted to say.
56 people have reviewed this album before me. Pretty much every good reviewer has said what I am going to say. And yet I feel compelled to review this album. No one, I repeat no artist has ever sung from the depth of his/her heart like Billie Holiday in this album. The music pacifies you, and Lady Day's voice fills you with the deepest sorrow. And yet, in the end you emerge as if transformed by a divine experience.
Now, I will be fair. I had first heard this record 2 months back. And as it turned out, it was the first record of Billie Holliday that I had heard. Naturally, I was surpried, as people who know their stuff regarded her as one of the greats, and this record of her's as the best of all. But I was disappointed.
Eventually, I went back and heard more of her earlier recordings, read about her life, and again came back to this record. And now I truly believe that no artist has ever sung from his/her heart like the way Billie Holiday did in this CD. This album is truly beautiful. And the beauty is hidden underneath a sratchy and haggard voice of a lady tormented by physical and emotional distress.
If you do not know much about Jazz don't buy it.
If you haven't heard Lady Day before, wait till you have heard some of her other stuff.
If you have heard her before and haven't heard this album, then you are missing out on something no words can describe.
And as a tip to those who do not "get" this album. Like Ray Ellis said it, hear it emotionally and not musically.

an essential classic ?
Having just read an article entitled the most essential jazz music of the past century I went and purchased ths Lady in Satin. This was an album that was professed to be one of the great ones. Powerfull and essential in Holiday's catalogue.
I placed it into the CD palyer with great anticipation, first was the orchestration, big full and accurate. Then the horrific, screatching, off key shaky voice of the singer.
I went onto the next track and more of the same. Fantastic big band orchestrations marred by this scared vioce. One track is an outtake and she speaks as if she was drunk ! I understand she had her hard times but at least the recording engineers could have taken the bottle out of her hands.
This was a horrible let down.

Altisimo nivel emocional
Es curioso la controversia que este disco despierta. Razonable porque la voz de Billie Holliday está ya muy deteriorada, como si tuviera 80 años. Pero para mi su interpretación es mejor que nunca, trasciende sus propias posibilidades vocales y la emoción desborda, el dolor empapa los deliciosos arreglos de Ray Ellis y los sentimientos se apoderan de un disco impagable e irrepetible.
Este disco aparece aproximadamente 1 año y medio antes de su muerte, y es su mejor legado, una colección de hermosas viñetas de amor y desamor, desgarrado pero no exento de un pequeño rayo de esperanza a veces (for heaven's sake).
Entre las canciones del disco, mis preferidas son I'm a Fool To Want You (entre las mejores de su repertorio), For Heaven's Sake, You Don't Know What Love Is, You've Changed o The End Of A Love Affair.
Disco especial e irrepetible, joya atemporal, testamento de una de las mejores y expresivas voces del universo jazz, pop. Este disco no merece menos de un 10. ... Read more