God Bless The Child (Laserlight) Review

07/13/2005 6:08 AM, AMG


This double LP contains 28 selections recorded under Billie Holiday's name during 1936-42, mostly from 1940-2. Some of the performances are alternate takes, although one will need a discography to figure that out, for this two-fer hides the fact. There are many classic performances including "Long Gone Blues," a haunting "Falling in Love Again," "Let's Do It," "All of Me," "Am I Blue," "Gloomy Sunday" and "God Bless the Child." Lady Day's voice matured during this period and she is in consistently fine form on this excellent out-of-print set. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide