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Lady in Autumn: The Best of the Verve Years
Billie Holiday
Lady in Autumn: The Best of the Verve Years
Genres: Blues, Jazz, Pop, Broadway & Vocalists
 
  •  Track Listings (19) - Disc #1
  •  Track Listings (16) - Disc #2

The received wisdom on the tragic torch singer's later work--of these 35 tracks, six were recorded in 1946 and '47, and the rest in the '50s--is that her interpretive skill made up for the collapse of her voice. In fact, t...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Billie Holiday
Title: Lady in Autumn: The Best of the Verve Years
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: Polygram Records
Original Release Date: 10/22/1991
Release Date: 10/22/1991
Genres: Blues, Jazz, Pop, Broadway & Vocalists
Styles: Vocal Blues, Traditional Blues, Swing Jazz, Traditional Jazz & Ragtime, Vocal Jazz, Oldies, Vocal Pop, Classic Vocalists, Cabaret, Traditional Vocal Pop
Number of Discs: 2
SwapaCD Credits: 2
UPCs: 042284943420, 042284943444

Synopsis

Amazon.com
The received wisdom on the tragic torch singer's later work--of these 35 tracks, six were recorded in 1946 and '47, and the rest in the '50s--is that her interpretive skill made up for the collapse of her voice. In fact, the serious cracks in her pitch don't appear until the second disc of this set, and it doesn't approach the febrile croak of Lady in Satin until the END. But she relies on a handful of vocal tricks, and some numbers that had been in her repertoire for ages, to approximate the glory that her voice once was. At times, though, the results are lovely and heartbroken rather than saddening, especially with the simpatico musical backing she got in these sessions. --Douglas Wolk

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Member CD Reviews

Teresa S. from WINDHAM, ME
Reviewed on 11/11/2009...
Excellent!!!!

CD Reviews

Lady Day -- PURE HEAVEN
F. Barton | Newport, WA USA | 11/30/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)

"This two CD set, with incredible liner notes by Leonard Maltin, Yes, the Television guy, is a landmark release. The chosing of ALL the material here is very carefully thought out, not like others, with whatever they can get to fit, whatever condition, this one is constructed top to bottom with perfection.This set displays Billie in all her Autumn glory, from live recordings, to outtakes that are better than the originals. If you want a set that represents what Billie meant in her later years, get this one. It will take you down her many paths, of pathos, despair, happiness, and just great talent, period. An EXCELLENT starter set."
A Revelation
Gary F. Taylor | Biloxi, MS USA | 12/14/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)

"There is an on-going dispute between Holiday fans: is Billie Holiday more interesting at the beginning of her career, when her voice was at its best, or at the end of her career, when her interpretive skills were at their finest? My preference is for the latter, and LADY IN AUTUMN offers a truly fine sampling of later Billie Holiday recordings.Even at its youthful best, Billie Holiday's distinctive, very quirky voice was never noted for any of the qualities we usually applaud in great singers: Holiday's range, power, and breath support were always more than a little ify. But Holiday showed a remarkable facility for shaping her voice much as sculptor might, and she transformed her vocal defects into an astonishing personal idiom that has never failed to mix musical delight with raw emotional power. And this ability was at its height toward the end of her career.It is true, however, that Holiday's later recordings are an acquired taste, and listeners who are new to her unique stylings may be put off by the vocal roughness of her later work. But for those who have already listened to an enjoyed her earlier work, Billie Holiday's LADY IN AUTUMN will be a revelation."