Lady Sings the Blues
Billie Holiday · 1956
48 min · 15 tracks · blues · jazz · swing
A poignant blend of sorrow and resilience, showcasing Holiday's emotive vocal delivery against lush, jazz-infused arrangements.
Why this album works
This album is notable for its raw emotional depth and has been credited with influencing generations of vocalists across jazz and beyond. The inclusion of 'Strange Fruit,' a haunting protest song about racism, solidified its cultural significance, marking it as one of Holiday's most powerful statements.
- Career context
- By the time 'Lady Sings the Blues' was released in 1956, Billie Holiday was a revered figure in jazz, having established her legacy through a series of influential recordings since the 1930s. This album emerged during a period when she was battling personal struggles, yet continued to captivate audiences with her unique interpretative style.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Bing Crosby· Dave Brubeck· Dean Martin· Chet Atkins· Herbie Mann· Ray Charles· Nina Simone· Sonny Rollins
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Lady Sings the Blues Standout 3:47
- 2 Trav’lin’ Light 3:11
- 3 I Must Have That Man 3:07
- 4 Some Other Spring 3:40
- 5 Strange Fruit Standout 3:06
- 6 No Good Man 3:21
- 7 God Bless the Child Standout 4:01
- 8 Good Morning Heartache 3:31
- 9 Love Me or Leave Me 2:38
- 10 Too Marvelous for Words 2:15
- 11 Willow Weep for Me 3:10
- 12 I Thought About You 2:49
- 13 P.S. I Love You 3:39
- 14 Softly 2:58
- 15 Stormy Blues 3:28
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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