Billie Holiday

2-CD SET

CONTAINS 3 PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED TRACKS

5 STARS ALL MUSIC GUIDE

Billie Holiday is heard at her absolute best on this 2-CD set, which comprises her complete Decca recordings, made at her musical zenith between 1944 and 1950.

During her time with the label, Lady Day was accompanied by strings and studio orchestras for the first time in her career. Her voice was at its strongest in those years, and among the high points here are her original versions of songs which Billie would keep in her repertoire, such as “Lover Man” (Holiday’s biggest selling record), “Don’t Explain,” and “Good Morning Heartache”.

This collection also contains two studio duets with Louis Armstrong. Three previously unissued alternate takes are presented here for the first time ever.

BILLIE HOLIDAY, vocals on all tracks, plus:

Orchestras conducted by Toots Camarata, Bob Haggart, Billy Kyle,
John Simmons, Sy Oliver, Buster Harding, and Gordon Jenkins, among others.

FEATURING:
Louis Armstrong (tp, vcl), Lester Young, Budd Johnson (ts), Toots Mondello (as),
Buck Clayton, Joe Guy, Shad Collins (tp), Tiny Grimes, Mundell Lowe (g),
Billy Kyle, Bobby Tucker, Horace Henderson (p),
Joe Benjamin, George Duvivier (b), Kenny Clarke, Cozy Cole (d),
among others.

Recorded in New York and Los Angeles between 1944 & 1950.

CD 1: Total Time: 79:10

01 LOVER MAN (OH, WHERE CAN YOU BE?)
02 NO MORE
03 NO MORE [alt tk]
04 THAT OLE DEVIL CALLED LOVE
05 THAT OLE DEVIL CALLED LOVE [alt tk] (*)
06 DON’T EXPLAIN [first version]
07 BIG STUFF [first version]
08 DON’T EXPLAIN
09 BIG STUFF [second version]
10 YOU BETTER GO NOW
11 WHAT IS THIS THING CALLED LOVE
12 GOOD MORNING HEARTACHE
13 NO GOOD MAN [alt tk]
14 NO GOOD MAN
15 BIG STUFF [breakdown]
16 BIG STUFF [third version]
17 BIG STUFF
18 BABY I DON’T CRY OVER YOU [alt tk]
19 BABY I DON’T CRY OVER YOU
20 I’LL LOOK AROUND [alt tk]
21 I’LL LOOK AROUND
22 THE BLUES ARE BREWIN’
23 GUILTY [alt tk]
24 GUILTY [breakdown]
25 GUILTY
26 DEEP SONG [breakdown] (*)
27 DEEP SONG
28 THERE IS NO GREATER LOVE [alt tk] (*)

(*) PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED ALTERNATE TAKES

CD 2: Total Time: 79:21

01 THERE IS NO GREATER LOVE
02 EASY LIVING
03 SOLITUDE [alt tk]
04 SOLITUDE
05 WEEP NO MORE
06 GIRLS WERE MADE TO TAKE CARE OF BOYS
07 I LOVES YOU PORGY
08 MY MAN [MON HOMME] [alt tk]
09 MY MAN [MON HOMME]
10 ‘TAIN’T NOBODY’S BUSINESS IF I DO [alt tk]
11 ‘TAIN’T NOBODY’S BUSINESS IF I DO
12 BABY GET LOST
13 KEEPS ON A-RAININ’
14 THEM THERE EYES
15 DO YOUR DUTY
16 GIMME A PIGFOOT (AND A BOTTLE OF BEER)
17 YOU CAN’T LOSE A BROKEN HEART
18 MY SWEET HUNK O’ TRASH
19 NOW OR NEVER
20 YOU’RE MY THRILL
21 CRAZY HE CALLS ME
22 PLEASE TELL ME NOW
23 SOMEBODY’S ON MY MIND
24 GOD BLESS THE CHILD
25 THIS IS HEAVEN TO ME