Billie Holiday: The Complete Decca Recordings

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Editorial reviews

Amazon.com essential recording
Holiday recorded for Decca between 1944 and 1950, a period in which she was at the heights of both her popularity and her vocal powers. The music is less jazz-oriented in its backing than were the earlier Columbia and Commodore or later Verve recordings, but these are superb vocal performances, including matchless renderings of "Lover Man," "Don't Explain," and "Solitude." Holiday achieved the highest level that torch singing has ever known, creating consummately expressive, almost etched renditions that are richly nuanced, often enhanced by tasteful string arrangements. Holiday's deepest musical sources are strongly evident in songs associated with Bessie Smith, including the earthy "Gimme a Pigfoot (and a Bottle of Beer)," and two spirited duets with Louis Armstrong. --Stuart Broomer

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Customer reviews

review by: date: 2007-12-01 rating:
This is good for people who want to here different versions of the same song.
I'll state the obsevation, and then give my solution. What I observed with this collection (as with many other complete sets) is that they include the unreleased alternate takes with the released takes. 9 times out of 10, there's a reason why it was never released in the first place.
However, there are those that like that about the album, thus it is not to shoot them down.

Also, I really question whether this was her "peak" period. People that say this have not heard her Commodore releases, or her Verve releases.

Here's a good solution for those that don't want more than the original release of the songs. Pick up "The Lady Sings" boxed set from Proper recordings (it's a boxed set, and dirt cheap, with primo sound quality). This collection has almost all of her songs from Brunswick to Decca (not everything, but certainly her best, and about 5 hours long). For the Verve releases, there are three sets to choose from. Complete (including alternates), premium (complete minus alternates), and a best of. The best prices are (of course) from Amazon. Happy Hunting.

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review by: date: 2006-06-07 rating:
Peak Perfection!
This is Lady Day at her peak and is probably the definitive collection showcasing how phenomenal a talent she was as a vocalist. As the title implies these are pretty much all her surviving tracks cut for the Decca label from 1944 to 1950 when she was in her peak vocal form and the songs here are a white-knuckle rollercoaster ride of emotions. There weren't many other vocalists anywhere near Billie's prowess at this time and her delivery runs the gamut of emotions from wistful sadness, to savage beauty, to a warm embrace. Many of her signature songs are here: "Lover Man," "Don't Explain," "'Taint Nobody's Business If I Do," "God Bless The Child," and "Good Morning Heartache." Some have complained that it is not a truly "complete" recordings package, but many of the original recordings were lost or destroyed years ago. If I had to chose a starting point for Billie Holiday you'd be hard pressed to pick a better choice than this set.

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review by: date: 2005-12-22 rating:
Wonderful music, but wish for a track sequencing change
Billie Holiday's great talent and music has been adequately reviewed elsewhere. My comments are directed at the packaging of the songs. First, I give the music and performances 5 stars. The sound quality is excellent considering the vintage, especially on the originally released tracks. However, I have a suggestion for track sequencing and disc packagaging, thus the 4 star rating. My preference is that this set be repackaged as a 3 disc set, but remain priced as a 2 disc set with the 3rd disc listed as a bonus disc. I'd rather have a 3rd disc that comprises the early and unreleased versions of the songs.

I followed my own suggestion and re-sequenced the 2 discs into a 3 disc set by burning new copies on my computer. I am much happier with the outcome, and love listening to the original released versions of songs without experiencing a duplication of titles. This presents the music in a way I think the artist would have preferred and greatly enhances the experience for me. When I'm in the mood for the additional material, the 3rd disc I created includes the early versions and previously unreleased tracks to give me the illusion of being present at the recording sessions. I find this a much more satisfying way to experience this great music.

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review by: date: 2005-05-21 rating:
INSUPERABLE
What more can be said about this box-set that other reviewers haven't said yet? Lady Day at her best, with an absolute control of her voice; marvelous performances; unsurpassable sound quality; a booklet with all the information that you'll ever need... If any release deserves six stars, is this one. Don't doubt it, buy it and prepare to enjoy Billie Holiday at her most brilliant moment!!


review by: Mr. Jazz date: 2004-08-30 rating:
How can you live without his...
The most essential cd set on the planet, I couldn't go a single week without pulling this beautiful set out and listening to her pure no-hold back from the heart singing. Beuatifulk string arrangements and a hautning voice. Simple beautiful jazz vocals.

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