Favourite Billie Holiday Song

[Satchmo Distel]

The choice comes down to which tempo you think she was best in. The faster swinging early Colombia work of 1935-38 is technically amazing but usually not as moving emotionally as her torch style of the 40s. I would probably go for 'You Go To My Head' which is transitional (1938) and still has a medium tempo while having all the intimate intensity she conveyed in her later work. I'm interested in how others got into her singing and compare these periods.

[SpiderChrist]

This NME tape was probably my gateway.

https://nmecassettes.wordpress.com/nme-023-holiday-romance-1986/

Favourite tune? Toss up between Strange Fruit and Good Morning Heartache.

[Satchmo Distel]

That was my Gateway too! 'Do Nothing Til You Hear From Me' especially. Just under 3 quid plus postage IIRC.

[chveik]

I only have the big Columbia comp, so I dunno much about the different periods. I think I tend to prefer the 40s stuff too.

I would say "Gloomy Sunday". hardly an original choice I know.

[grassbath]

'Summertime.' The definitive version. A sweltering, lurching thing. She sounds positively alien.

[H-O-W-L]

Crazy He Calls Me.
Such a warm, calming song.

[H-O-W-L]

Though I fucking love me some God Bless The Child too. Ahhh fuck.