The listening project continues…this time with a ton of Billie Holiday records.
The Golden Years – This 3-lp set has, arguably, the essential Billie Holiday recordings on Columbia Records, from 1939-1941. These rather early recordings also feature icons such as Benny Goodman, Gene Krupa, Jonah Jones, Johnny Hodges, Harry Carney, Teddy Wilson, and of course, Lester Young. There are far too many other amazing musicians to mention! Her version of “I Can’t Get Started” is way, way hipper than Bunny Berigan’s, although it is interesting to note that they did work together. This “I Can’t Get Started” is with Basie… But, man, this collection, like the next, is absolutely essential, with every single track sounding amazing.
The Golden Years, Vol. II – Another completely essential collection of recordings. This has some of the most important vocals of her career, including “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm,” “Mean to Me,” “My Man,” “He’s Funny That Way” and a great version of “St. Louis Blues.” I also love her version of “Nice Work if You Can Get it” and there’s a super cute tune on this collection called “Mandy is Two,” which is about a 2-year old. All the cats you would hope to hear are on this: Water Page, Cootie Williams, Red Allen, Teddy Wilson, Don Byas, and so on and so forth, until you get to the essential Lester Young.
The Essential Billie Holiday – Recorded November 10, 1956…I never liked this record. Honestly, it’s just about the weirdest record I own. It opens with Gilbert Millstein reading from Billie Holiday’s book Lady Sings the Blues. The first thing he reads is about Holiday hearing jazz for the first time from the front parlor of a whorehouse. I suppose that the shock of such a passage sets up a powerful setting, but his voice, the fact that HE is the one reading, leaves me a bit perplexed and a trifle nauseous. It’s like having Wolf Blitzer or Bill O’Reilly read…blech.
The First Verve Recordings – So, so great! These are 1952 and 1954 sessions, and they are fantastic! Flip Phillips, who I love, Charlie Shavers, Oscar Peterson, Barney Kessel, Ray Brown, J.C. Heard, Paul Quinichette, Herb Ellis, and even Tonight Show all star, Ed Shaughnessy. I once attended a Shaughnessy master class. There is no doubt that he was a great drummer, but he was definitely not a good…well, let’s just say that it was not a very happening master class. This record has one of my all time favorite Blue Moon recordings, and You Go to my Head is unbelievable. Peterson is in a whole tone sort of mood throughout (and he plays organ on “Yesterdays”!), and Ray Brown uses his bow on the intro of “Lover Come Back to Me.”
Stormy Blues – This is also incredible. I mean, like essential. In particular, “Everything Happens to Me” is amazing. And if Billie is not enough of a reason, then Tony Scott…or Sweets Edison…or Charlie Shavers…or Jimmy Rowles. Incredible.
All or Nothing At All – Another great collection of Verve recordings from the mid-1950s. Benny Carter, Jimmy Rowles, Larry Bunker, Barney Kessell, Charlie Shavers, Wynton Kelly, Kenny Burrell, Ben Webster, and the always amazing Tony Scott – you know: the Cats! Really swinging, fantastic, classic, classy music. And, this record is a great resource for practical uses of the altered scale in mid-1950s jazz.
Embraceable You – Ok, and the last one in this playlist, another collection of 1950s Verve recordings. I love this period. Swinging, fun, profound, masterful. Really, amazing. Same cats as on earlier recordings, and Red Mitchell, just to make my life even better. His solo on “Darn that Dream” is amazing.