Monday, July 11, 2011

#109: Billie Holiday - Lady in Satin (1958)



Emily: I found it really difficult to pick out favorite tracks for this album. Why? Frankly, every song kind of sounded the same to me. Maybe I just don’t fully appreciate classic vocal jazz or something. That being said, Billie Holiday has earned her place as a jazz legend. The understated jazz instrumentation of the album lets Holiday’s vocal performance take center stage – as it well should. Her unique, raspy voice conveys emotion into songs of love and heartbreak. Because of this winning formula, Lady in Satin is a beautiful collection of jazz music.
Favorite Tracks: But Beautiful; I Get Along Without You Very Well; Violets for Your Furs

Zack: This album has to be in the running for one of the classiest recordings of all time, let alone on the list. From the vocals to the lyrics to the instrumentation to the name of the album, there is everything you could possibly require to convince people that you’re a member of the cultured part of society. If you want to get the most you possibly can out of this album, I recommend investing in a smoking jacket. It’s got more class than MTV has shows about underage baby mamas. Everything about Lady in Satin has a subdued, yet refined flair to it. All the instruments meld together to form a cohesive, big bandish sound in the vein of Frank Sinatra swing, but with a more pure jazz history. This is one of Billie Holiday’s final albums, and her voice isn’t quite as strong as in her earlier works, but she still manages to give an exciting and emotional performance on every track.
Favorite Tracks: The End of a Love Affair; But Beautiful; For Heaven’s Sake

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