The Quintessential Billie Holiday, Vol.5: 1937-1938

After I listened to this CD, NyroÕs assertion suddenly made sense to me. Billie Holiday is well-known for her ability to take a trite song and make it shine by singing contrary to the spirit of the lyrics, or bringing out subtle shades of meaning that even the lyricist was probably unaware of. There are plenty of samples of that talent on this album. She sings the chirpy "Things Are Looking Up" at a dirge-like speed, and with an ache in her voice. And the way she sings "My First Impression of You" a bland little ode to love at first sight you know the first impression turned out to be wrong.

But what impresses me most about this album, more than any other Billie Holiday album I own, is that it shows off her talent as a musician. The musicians who back her up on these tracks are astounding Buck Clayton, Teddy Wilson, and especially Lester Young (the play between HolidayÕs voice and YoungÕs saxophone on "Getting Some Fun Out of Life" is one of the high points in the history of popular music that alone is worth the price of the disk.) Obviously these 18 tracks arenÕt the only ones she ever cut with these musicians. She worked with them on and off throughout her career. But the instrumentalists are featured prominently on most of these songs -- on several tracks, the vocal doesnÕt even come in until the middle of the song and the music is so gorgeous you could subtract BillieÕs voice and it would still be a joy to listen to.

Of course, youÕd never want to take out the vocal from these songs, because theyÕre not only examples of great singing, theyÕre an essential part of the music. ItÕs not just that the band did a great job of supporting Billie Holiday, but also that she does a great job of supporting them. Her tone is gorgeous and her rhythm is both impeccable and unique. Even when thereÕs not much to do in the song, she blends in as one more beautifully toned instrument in a knockout orchestra.

Laura Nyro was right Billie was a real musician, one who could more than hold her own with some of the best musicians who ever lived. If you have any interest at all in Billie Holiday's work, this album is an essential purchase.


Possibly the BEST Quintessential Set   February 6, 2001
Peter (East of Los Angeles)
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

This Quintessential #5 may well be the BEST one compiled during her Vocalion-Brunswick (Columbia) years, and that's saying alot considering all nine Quintessential volumes are considered classics in the jazz canon. What distinguishes this particular set is the well-chosen songs and unforgettable performances by Billie and her elite sidemen. I would be hard pressed to find a more joyful Billie than the one captured here. Maybe it's not a coincidence this set came right in the middle of her recording years at Columbia, for she had found that right balance between swing and poignancy in her performances. The earlier sets tend to swung too much while the later sets border on melancholy. This one has just the right amount of both. Billie sounds she's getting a lift from the group of men backing her on instrumentals and what a group: Lester Young, Buck Clayton, Freddie Green, Teddy Wilson. In fact you can hear the sheer joy and pleasure in Billie's singing. This was probably a very happy time in her life and she shares that with the world. Look for the standout swinger tracks: "Travelin' All Alone" "Back in Your Own Backyard" "Born to Love" and "Nice Work If You Can Get It", but really, all the tracks are classics.


Different Billie: young,vibrant and happy   December 27, 2000
Sasha (at sea...sailing somewhere)
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

So many singers claim to be influenced by great Lady Day -there are countless tribute albums on the market,where different people are exploring her repertoire (from Anita O'Day,Carmen Mc Rae,Rosemary Clooney and Chet Baker to more recently Tony Bennett,even last Bryan Ferry album sounds very much like something that Billie would record with a small band in 1930's) and still nothing touches me as the real thing.All 9 volumes of her collected works for "Columbia" are stunningly beautiful,seems to me they are just going better as they progress: this one is surprisingly swinging and uplifting.People who remebers Billie only as a singer of sad,gloomy songs,should check this one:"Trav'lin All Alone","He's Funny That Way","Nice Work If You Can Get It","Can't Help Lovin That Man" - they are all melancholic but still rhythmicaly uptempo,and Teddy Wilson piano is simply breathtaking.On the other hand,in the song "Things Are Looking Up" she sounds like a little girl who is trying not to cry,while her heart is broken.Everybody who thinks that Billie Holiday is only about sadness and pain,should hear this volume 5: its different,young and vibrant woman whan she was in her prime,light years away from sad end and "Lady In Satin".


Classic Billie Holiday!   June 30, 2000
A. Watkins (Atlanta, GA)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

By far my favorite Billie Holiday cd, and one of my favorite jazz cds of all time. This is Billie at her best. The combination of her beautiful voice and Lester Young's tenor make this album the perfect start for a relaxing Saturday or Sunday morning. No one will ever be able to sing about love to way Billie did!


SUBLIME   April 20, 2000
Perceiped (Argentina)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

Billie with Lester Young. The only thing I can say: AMAZING! I love you Billie.