An artist I never quite sussed out, because I just never knew where to properly begin.

I know some songs here and there, even own a few but..

Leave it to Hip-O-Select to get it right...



...The Ultimate Collection

Not only does it contain tunes (over 40) spanning her entire career (multi-label selections), you also get a DVD of live performances.


If you want to save some cash, they also released the 2 audio CDs from the above collection...



...Gold



Wondering why some folks have a problem with compilations?

As you noted they provide an overview of an artist's output when done properly.
(I'll admit that they can be deceptive when only the "hits" are included)
If you like what you hear in the comp, you can then dig into individual albums.



tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

theAudience said:

They're usually missing the key cuts that make people fans, imho.

Cinnie said:

These are my suggestions for compilation disics.

Billie Holiday

20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection

The Billie Holiday Songbook

The Definitive Collection note: I like this one because the songs from this Cd where done in chronological seqeunce, late 40's onward. I'm a big fan if listening to artist vocal development over the years. What she lost as her voice deteriorated in her later and final years of life, she made up with vulnerability in phrasing and in tone.

The Decca Recordings - Released Oct 1944, 2008 Blue Orchid.
Billie at her best. (IMHO)

Or in the case of jazz, just some weird selections altogether, with bad licensing that leads to featuring re-recordings of important songs.

That Hip-O-Select one looks perfect.

Cinnie said:

It is.

Proud owner!

TD3 said:

Thanks for your input. These were some of the ones I have been perusing.

Don't waste your time finding an "overview" compilation about Billie Holiday, NONE of them did the work justice.

If you could afford it, these are the ultimate overviews, in order:











I included the Lady In Satin album because its very essential regarding her career, and also because its the LEAST one that gets included in her compilations ironically,,,,,which is why you should shy away from her compilations.

But like I said, this will cost you a grip. So good luck.

Harlepolis said:

I was hoping you would come thru. It helps to know the order of what labels she recorded for and that they all have "complete" box sets.

Lady in Satin remains my favorite Billie album! I have that on vinyl as well as several others, including that Decca collection that Harlepolis pictured. I've always been fascinated with Lady Day. I've done lots of drawings of her, some of which I have on my walls even today.