[.ca] V1 Love Songs

Culled from the Columbia Records reissue packages, variously released under the multivolume Quintessential Billie Holiday umbrella, this package goes straight for the love songs, the heart of Holiday. Ranging from such playful lyrics as "Let's Do It" and "Them There Eyes" to such essential Holiday as "You Go to My Head," "The Very Thought of You," and "Easy Living," this set is guaranteed to keep the home fires burning brightly. Lay this one on your lover next Valentine's Day. As was so frequently the case with Holiday, the ensemble support is impeccable, including many of the swingers from Columbia's Greatest Hits package. The bonus here is Count Basie on piano, leading his swinging big band on "They Can't Take That Away from Me." --Willard Jenkins

Some of the finest from Billie Holiday 1935-1941:
"Love Songs" is, along with "Lady Day Swings", the best compilation of Billie Holiday's recordings. This is one of those definate essential CDs that everyone must have. These recordings date from 1935-1941. The best songs on this disc for me are: "The Very Thought of You", which is one of the all time great Billie Holiday recordings, "All of Me", "Me, Myself And I", "Them There Eyes", "The Way You Look Tonight". The songs on this album, are absolutely the best, and it does not include a single bad one here. This is absolutely classic Billie Holiday. Then just look at the great musicians that are here to accompany her on these recordings. Leslie Johnakins, Eddie Barefield, Hymie Schertzer (alto saxophone), Lester Young (tenor saxophone, clarinet), Ben Webster, Chu Berry, Babe Russin, Vido Musso (tenor saxophone), Roy Eldridge, Buck Clayton, Harry "Sweets" Edison, Jonah Jones, Charlie Shavers, Shad Collins, Emmet Berry (trumpet), George Hunt, Benny Morton (trombone), Buster Bailey, Jimmy Hamilton, Prince Robinson (clarinet), Count Basie, Teddy Wilson, Claude Thornhill, Eddie Heywood, Margaret Johnson (piano), Freddie Green, John Collins, Al Casey, Allan Reuss (guitar), Walter Page, Milt Hinton, John Kirby, Ted Sturgis, John Williams (bass), Jo Jones, Gene Krupa, Cozy Cole, Kenny Clarke, J.C. Heard (drums). The recordings have been digitally remastered by Mark Wilder, and he has done such an excellent job at it. These recordings sound brilliant. There are also good liner notes by Delfeayo Marsalis. I always think a CD should come with liner notes. Billie Holiday beats all of the other jazz singers by far, and this CD is a great choice to add to the collection. This is one of my most listened to CDs. Its a must own. Very highly recommended.

My favorite single album.:
When my boyfriend bought this for me I was so happy and I remember I would play this music and sing for him in the car on cool dark, starry nights and I would be mesmerized not only by the intensity of those nights, but by the music she sang and how she deeply, richly portrayed those songs. She really knew how to set the mood for any lover or lonely lover as well. I totally recommend this CD to start if you have not heard much of her music...SHe truly is addicting once you hear these songs...These songs will definetly put you in an enchanting and romantic journey.

GREAT BILLIE, bad sound...:
Creo que es una buena seleccion de temas, interpretados maravillosamente por Billie, pero la mayoria de ellos no han sido remasterizados, lo que, a mi juicio, con la tecnologia disponible es imperdonable. Pobre edicion para una gran artista.Por la edicion, una estrella menos, pero todas las estrellas, infinitas, para Billie.

Billie is Wonderful BY DARA TILLERY:
BILLIE WAS AN INSPIRATIONAL AND CONTREVERSIAL SINGER.Her singing is beautiful when she sings she touches others heart. this c.d is most definetely beautiful.

Better than her later years!:
Oh that voice! What could pass as angel tones makes a great attempt here! The early recordings are her masterpiece as she has life and lift and lilt to her wonderful voice. I think the recording company could have mastered the set a bit better as it screeches on some of the higher instrument plays but overall, I'll buy this CD again when I wear out my first one. And I'll play it on tube which will greatly enhance the effort to keep Billie's voice legendary. While her later recordings are morose and depressing, this collection serves her extradordinarily well!

• All of Me
• You Go to My Head
• Until the Real Thing Comes Along
• My Man
• Very Thought of You
• Easy Living
• They Can't Take That Away from Me
• I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm
• Them There Eyes
• Night and Day
• Man I Love
• Me, Myself and I
• Way You Look Tonight
• If You Were Mine
• I Can't Believe That You're in Love With Me
• Let's Do It (Let's Fall in Love)