Search - Lil Green :: Why Don't You Do Right

Like Billie-"Kicked Up a Notch"

Denise M. Woncisz | USA | 10/26/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"While living in Paris, K. Apollo (a friend from upstate New York who frequented Paris to collect deguerrotypes), gave a little Greene cassette to me with all the above songs listed -plus one not listed here but available in her complete works- "That Old Feeling." That song became a favorite of mine. "Why don't you do right", and "Romance in the Dark" are saucy, and provocative.Lil' Greene's fragile voice is very much like Billie Holiday's, but kicked up a notch. Her voice has feminine vulnerability spiked with attitude and defiance; like, you broke her heart -but don't turn your backon her , cause she might break something on you. Ken gave me a brief history of her bar room brawls and notorious scandals. Aparently she was a large lady in stature, with a quick temper. I liked her, no push over. I call it "S&M Blues".Since Paris has always been a santuary to jazz and it's people, I listened to radio Nova alot, and frequented the live jazz clubs. A boyfriend and I would sit in his apartment, drinking wine on cold nights with the windows slightly ajar, meditating on our favorite jazz works.I enjoyed rising early to help Sammie, a Turkish/Japanese friend of mine prepare his Turkish restaurant on Rue Mouffetard for business each morning. I got into the habit of playing that Lil Green tape while I made the strong morning tea and set the counters. He loved it. When I left, I gave that well-worn tape to him, to remember me by. I knew I could find another in the states.The quality of the recordings remind me of music recorded in the 1920's. (...)"