This entry was posted on April 7, 2015 at 12:23 pm and is filed under Music. You can subscribe via RSS 2.0 feed to this post's comments. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
18 Comments on “They Can’t Take that Away from Me: Billie Holiday”
Gosh I do hope that this youtube clip doesn’t result in you being kicked to the curb but I like it so much. Benny Goodman swings, Billie sings and the whole thing jumps.
Roy Eldridge (trumpet) Benny Goodman (clarinet -1/3) Ben Webster (tenor saxophone) Teddy Wilson (piano) John Trueheart (guitar) John Kirby (bass) Cozy Cole (drums) Billie Holiday (vocals)
NYC, July 2, 1935
I have waited to respond to Hedley’s email re: Lady Day so I can do so publicly.
I recognize Holiday is considered an icon and revered by throngs of people, but that’s one bandwagon I’ve never hopped on. Oh, I’ve tried several times over the years. I remember the big fuss in the early 1970s when Ms. Ross portrayed her in “Lady Sings The Blues” and I tried then. Nope, Not for me. And I’ve tried again again and again, but she’s just not one of those singers I’d actively choose to listen to. Oh, I wouldn’t turn her off if she came on the radio, but neither would I seek her out. She joins Louis Armstrong in that category for me. So I can understand why Hedley might not like Bette or Joni. We all have our favorites and not everyone is going to agree with us.
Linked is a favorite “Billie Holiday” song of mine by one of my favorite authors. David is another of those artists people either “get” or “don’t get.”
im6,
I like them all: Bette and Joni and Billie and Ella and their contemporaries like Dinah Washington.
I find Billie Holiday’s music somehow a bit tragic. Her life oozes through the notes she sings. She was the first jazz singer I ever liked and she got me to try others and to like jazz, not all jazz but Billie type jazz.
Strange Fruit is such a good pick and such a significant statement. Hope you don’t mind but here is Billie singing it live. Worth noting it has had 10 million views
She is beautiful in that second video. Did you notice she had her beloved boxer with her? I have listened to some of it and will continue. I find it fascinating.
keepthecoffeecoming.blog 
April 7, 2015 at 12:24 pm
https://app.box.com/s/a3td7jypvshim0acwe8inlc1i60lzyeh
April 7, 2015 at 12:42 pm
Gosh I do hope that this youtube clip doesn’t result in you being kicked to the curb but I like it so much. Benny Goodman swings, Billie sings and the whole thing jumps.
That is “Miss Brown to you”
April 7, 2015 at 12:44 pm
My Dear Hedley,
I am not posting it as mine-it is still youtube, and if youtube can’t post a video legally, they remove it. I suspect Coffee is safe!
Thanks!
April 7, 2015 at 12:45 pm
Roy Eldridge (trumpet) Benny Goodman (clarinet -1/3) Ben Webster (tenor saxophone) Teddy Wilson (piano) John Trueheart (guitar) John Kirby (bass) Cozy Cole (drums) Billie Holiday (vocals)
NYC, July 2, 1935
April 7, 2015 at 12:46 pm
TY!!
April 7, 2015 at 12:52 pm
I have waited to respond to Hedley’s email re: Lady Day so I can do so publicly.
I recognize Holiday is considered an icon and revered by throngs of people, but that’s one bandwagon I’ve never hopped on. Oh, I’ve tried several times over the years. I remember the big fuss in the early 1970s when Ms. Ross portrayed her in “Lady Sings The Blues” and I tried then. Nope, Not for me. And I’ve tried again again and again, but she’s just not one of those singers I’d actively choose to listen to. Oh, I wouldn’t turn her off if she came on the radio, but neither would I seek her out. She joins Louis Armstrong in that category for me. So I can understand why Hedley might not like Bette or Joni. We all have our favorites and not everyone is going to agree with us.
Linked is a favorite “Billie Holiday” song of mine by one of my favorite authors. David is another of those artists people either “get” or “don’t get.”
April 7, 2015 at 1:02 pm
im6,
I like them all: Bette and Joni and Billie and Ella and their contemporaries like Dinah Washington.
I find Billie Holiday’s music somehow a bit tragic. Her life oozes through the notes she sings. She was the first jazz singer I ever liked and she got me to try others and to like jazz, not all jazz but Billie type jazz.
He does sound like her.
April 7, 2015 at 1:03 pm
oh good grief.
April 7, 2015 at 3:33 pm
MDH,
To whom do you direct your, “oh good grief?”
April 7, 2015 at 4:54 pm
Kat, there is a choice of two and you are not it.
April 7, 2015 at 5:15 pm
MDH,
I figured as much!
April 7, 2015 at 8:40 pm
One of my favorite songs that was first recorded in1938.
April 7, 2015 at 9:09 pm
Bob,
This is such an amazing song. She must have taken a chance recording it given its meaning.
April 8, 2015 at 11:41 am
Strange Fruit is such a good pick and such a significant statement. Hope you don’t mind but here is Billie singing it live. Worth noting it has had 10 million views
April 8, 2015 at 11:48 am
April 8, 2015 at 12:04 pm
MDH,
Of course I am glad you posted the video!
She is beautiful in that second video. Did you notice she had her beloved boxer with her? I have listened to some of it and will continue. I find it fascinating.
April 8, 2015 at 12:55 pm
The documentary is interesting as well. How could anyone miss a Boxer ?
April 8, 2015 at 3:08 pm
MDH,,
No one of taste would bypass that beautiful dog!