Billie Holiday 1933-1937 Review

07/13/2005 5:26 AM, AMG


Two things stand out in these early recordings. One, of course, is Lady Day's already fully mature style. The other is the superb quality of the musicians who backed her. A Benny Goodman combo; Bunny Berigan and Artie Shaw with Joe Bushkin and Cozy Cole; Jonah Jones with Ben Webster and Teddy Wilson; Buster Bailey; a bunch of Basie-ites including the superb Lester Young. Even without her this would be a gem. ~ John Storm Roberts, Original Music, All Music Guide