Search - Various Artists :: Billie Ella Lena Sarah

Billie, Ella, Lena, Sarah - their best was yet to come.

07/31/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This collection was first issued in the mid '50s as "Ella, Lena and Billie" - Sarah was added later - and if you don't know these great vocalists by their first names, you must be from the Moon. The sessions by Billie and Ella are from the '30s, and Lena's sessions are from 1941. Most of these numbers were recorded with a Teddy Wilson-led band which included several of Basie's sidemen. The Sarah Vaughn numbers were recorded in 1950 with a lineup that included Miles Davis on trumpet. It's wonderful to hear these singers in the early stages of their careers. The sound quality is better than one might expect."

A great sample of early jazz queens !!

Matthew G. Sherwin | 06/15/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album introduced me to jazz a couple of years ago. Now, I'm a big fan. I know the work of Amstrong, Chet Baker, Stan Getz, Nina Simone and others. Still, this is the best I have.The lyrics, instrumental richness and even the imperfect recording quality makes it really charming and beautiful. Horne's emotion in "Prisioner of Love" and all Sarah's performances give it an extra star."

And THIS is why we gave these gals a spotlight

Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 04/17/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Billie, Ella, Lena, Sarah is an excellent sampler album that also lets us compare the vocal qualities of four great songbirds: Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Lena Horne and Sarah Vaughan. The sound quality is excellent and I love that artwork! This is one CD that many people will want for their collections.



The track sets opens with the immortal Billie Holiday singing her heart out on "The Man I Love." Billie never misses a note and she sings with all the heart and soul of an accomplished chanteuse. The music that goes with her vocals is very well done as well. "My Melancholy Baby" is an early recording by the great Ella Fitzgerald; she sings this so well you'll instantly know she was born to sing songs like this! Ella's voice is clear as a bell; and I really like that. Teddy Wilson & His Orchestra play perfectly, too--listen for that brass--the horn solo is also gorgeous! Great!



"Prisoner Of Love" features Lena Horne front and center--and that's quite all right by me! Lena sings this with panache and I love every minute of it. The horn solo is again rather strikingly beautiful and it goes with Lena's vocals very well. Listen also for the great Sarah Vaughan on "It's Nice Work If You Get It;" Sarah delivers this with style, grace and all her heart. We again get a fantastic horn solo that embellishes the number considerably and Sarah never sings a superfluous note.



"I'll Never Be The Same" is another early Billie Holiday recording that is absolutely marvelous when Billie gives this her all; and there's also Billie on "What A Little Moonlight Can Do." Excellent! Billie sings like the great songbird she was and still remains.



"Ain't Misbehavin'" is a tune I always loved; and when Sarah Vaughan delivers this with a slightly slower tempo she takes it to new heights! Sarah makes this number take flight so beautifully; it's easily a major highlight of this album. You'll enjoy it! "All My Life" takes us back to Ella Fitzgerald again and there's a fantastic, elegant piano arrangement that simply can't be beat on "All My Life."



"I'm Gonna Lock My Heart (And Throw Away The Key)" gives another nod to Billie Holiday who sings this with panache; and the album ends very strong with Sarah Vaughan performing "Goodnight My Love." "Goodnight My Love" sparkles when Sarah Vaughan sings it. It's terrific.



Overall, this is a wonderful sampler CD and fans of these songbirds will want this album in their collections. I highly recommend this album for people who appreciate classic pop vocals and bluesy takes on some of the best songs of all time.

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