Billie Holiday is probably the most lyrical and expressive female vocalist in jazz history. This set compiles her complete sessions for the legendary Commodore label. Made between Billie's contracts for Columbia/Okeh and Decca, these recordings present her in top form, backed by excellent small groups featuring such names as Frankie Newton, Freddie Webster, Tab Smith, Vic Dickenson, Eddie Heywood, and Sidney Catlett. Among the highlights of the set are Billie's first version of the shocking 'Strange Fruit', which she used to conclude her stage performances, as well as readings of famous standards she would never record again, such as 'As Time Goes By' and 'I'll Be Seeing You'. Two rare tracks, which constitute Billie's only recordings with the Artie Shaw and with the Paul Whiteman orchestras, have been added here as a bonus.
Track Listing:
1. Strange Fruit - Billie Holiday (3.12)
2. Yesterdays - Billie Holiday (3.26)
3. Fine and Mellow - Billie Holiday (3.17)
4. I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues - Billie Holiday (2.54)
5. How Am I to Know? - Billie Holiday (2.47)
6. My Old Flame - Billie Holiday (3.04)
7. I'll Get By - Billie Holiday (3.01)
8. I Cover the Waterfront - Billie Holiday (3.33)
9. I'll Be Seeing You - Billie Holiday (3.35)
10. I'm Yours - Billie Holiday (3.19)
11. Embraceable You (Feat. Sheryl Crow) - Billie Holiday (3.19)
12. As Time Goes By - Billie Holiday (3.13)
13. He's Funny That Way - Billie Holiday (3.19)
14. Lover Come Back to Me - Billie Holiday (3.22)
15. I Love My Man (Billie's Blues) - Billie Holiday (3.1)
16. On the Sunny Side of the Street - Billie Holiday (3.05)
1. Strange Fruit - Billie Holiday (3.12)
2. Yesterdays - Billie Holiday (3.26)
3. Fine and Mellow - Billie Holiday (3.17)
4. I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues - Billie Holiday (2.54)
5. How Am I to Know? - Billie Holiday (2.47)
6. My Old Flame - Billie Holiday (3.04)
7. I'll Get By - Billie Holiday (3.01)
8. I Cover the Waterfront - Billie Holiday (3.33)
9. I'll Be Seeing You - Billie Holiday (3.35)
10. I'm Yours - Billie Holiday (3.19)
11. Embraceable You (Feat. Sheryl Crow) - Billie Holiday (3.19)
12. As Time Goes By - Billie Holiday (3.13)
13. He's Funny That Way - Billie Holiday (3.19)
14. Lover Come Back to Me - Billie Holiday (3.22)
15. I Love My Man (Billie's Blues) - Billie Holiday (3.1)
16. On the Sunny Side of the Street - Billie Holiday (3.05)
