I don't know how many of you here dig this woman, I personaly know much betta than to ditch her records and not to listen to her. Its more of an addiction in my case, put it this way-me in this life without Billie Holiday's music is just like a big BIG book without words in it. Thats exactly how I feel about my girl!



My grandma loved her some Billie Holiday so much, I used to grab this record by her "Lady In Satin"(her last album b4 she died) and stare at this beautiful lady with the ponytail and even tho I was nothing but a 7 yrs ol' kid who doesn't know betta, I KNEW she was in pain whenever I saw that picture or heard that album(any of her music 4 that matter but esp that album since the voice change over her drug-use made her music mo' effective than it used to be).

I still remember the very 1st time my ears heard the songs "God Bless The Child" & "Strange Fruit". The 1st one used to make me feel good and the 2nd one used to scare the hell out of me becoz of its lyrics and the whole haunting atmosphere(Hey now I was a kid, I didn't know betta) but later, I knew what she sang about and WHY did she put it out there.

I feel gloomy whenever I hear sad songs from Aretha, Gladys, Etta, Tina, Chaka, Joni, Janis, Anita and Mary J but NOBODY can make me feel their pain without even trying like Billie Holiday, there's so much ease in her musical delievery(in 2 words-brutal honesty) you feel like you're watching the whole thang whenever she sing it, so many people tried their best to cop what she had but they failed at the drop of a dime.

If anybody here dig this lady as much as I do then share the love and if there ain't any then thanx 4 reading, it might make you go back and check some o' her stuff.
[This message was edited Tue Jan 20 11:58:17 PST 2004 by Harlepolis]

All I gots to say is where the hell have you been, Harle?

I have a few of her cd's that were given to me many years ago by a woman that I once knew who has since passed away. I have listened to them many times, but I can't say that I know Billie's music well. She was one of the greatest singers ever and I know she had a very hard life which is present in most of her music. I do respect her and I think I will have to listen to her more often and get to know her a little better.

sinisterpentatonic said:

Thanx 4 posting that, this is the shit!

I'm aware of Gil Scott Heron's speaking words work but I wasn't aware of this.

Yeah, I dig her.Not recommended listening when you're feeling the blues.She just has that effect.It's about time she had a thread devoted to her!Thanks Harle.

Harlepolis said:

Find it! Find it! Find it!

It's on "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised"


The entire album is awesome! On the majority of the album is singing, I think there are 2 spoken word pieces. His greatest hits is worth picking up also.

Another abum by him that's incredible is -

Gil Scott Heron and Brain Jackson "From south Carolina to South africa"

Awesome!

but back to the Holiday tribute

broken link edit.
[This message was edited Tue Jan 20 11:45:52 PST 2004 by sinisterpentatonic]

sinisterpentatonic said:

Thanx 4 the recommendations, I dig his stuff but I don't know where 2 start.

Anyway, what do u guys think of Diana Ross's tribute flick to Billie "Lady Sings The Bluse". I haven't watched it and I'm too scared to cuz I can't really predict anything good as far as her acting effort goes(and her music too 4 that matter). Do u guys dig that movie? Why?

And you're welcome PhilG :hugs:
[This message was edited Tue Jan 20 11:49:17 PST 2004 by Harlepolis]

Harlepolis said:

It's been 10 years since I've watched it. From what I can remember it wasn't a terrible film. Sometimes the acting can be a little iffy, but hey it has Billy Dee Williams in it! What else could you ask for?
Richard Pryor has a small, but funny role in the film also.

I read the autobiography that the film was based and and was terribly disappointed that she didn't author the book, she just signed away the rights to allow someone else to ghost write it.

I do think any true fan should give it a viewing, it sets up the era and vibe well, it's also stays true to her autobiography.

TheOrgerFormerlyKnownAs said:

Near

fine and mellow

My man don’t love me
Treats me oh so mean
My man he don’t love me
Treats me awfully
He’s the, lowest man
That I’ve ever see

He wears high trimmed pan
Stripes are really yellow
He wears high trimmed pan
Stripes are really yellow

But when he starts in to love me
He’s so fine and mellow

Love will make you drink and gamble
Make you stay out all night long repeat
Love will make you drink and gamble
Make you stay out all night long repeat

Love will make you do things
That you know is wrong

But if you treat me right baby
I’ll stay home everyday
But if you treat me right baby
I’ll stay home everyday

But you’re so mean to me baby
I know you’re gonna drive me away

Love is just like the faucet
It turns off and on
Love is just like the faucet
It turns off and on

Sometimes when you think it’s on baby
It has turned off and gone









Good morning heartache



Good morning heartache
You old gloomy sight
Good morning heartache
Thought we said goodbye last night
I turned and tossed until it seems you heve gone
But here you are with the dawn
Wish I forget you, but you’re here to stay
It seems I met you
When my love went away
Now everyday I stop I’m saying to you
Good morning heartache what’s new

Stop haunting me now
Can’t shake you nohow
Just leave me alone
I’ve got those monday blues
Straight to sunday blues
Good morning heartache
Here we go again
Good morning heartache
You’re the one
Who knows me well
Might as well get use to you hanging around
Good morning heartache
Sit down




Loverman

I don’t know why but I’m feeling so sad
I long to try something I never had
Never had no kissin’
Oh, what I’ve been missin’
Lover man, oh, where can you be?

The night is cold and I’m so alone
I’d give my soul just to call you my own
Got a moon above me
But no one to love me
Lover man, oh, where can you be?

I’ve heard it said
That the thrill of romance
Can be like a heavenly dream
I go to bed with a prayer
That you’ll make love to me
Strange as it seems

Someday we’ll meet
And you’ll dry all my tears
Then whisper sweet
Little things in my ear
Hugging and a-kissing
Oh, what I’ve been missing
Lover man, oh, where can you be?

These are some of my fav's.

sinisterpentatonic said:

Great, great song on a great, great album (produced, I believe, by the legendary Bob Thiele).

Damn, Harle - I always look forward to your threads - mainly because we have alot of the same tastes in music but more importantly because I think this is what this forum should consist of - it's a refreshing glass of water compared to the countless Micheal Jackson got caught sucking his thumb, and Andre3000 compared to Prince threads. Well done baby!

Nuff about that...
I love Billie Holiday- her song 'Strange Fruit' is so real- The emotion in those words are so powerful that they actually brought me back in time to the attitudes and ignorance of that time period - powerful lady- straight up she gets all credit in the world from me! Big up Lady Day!

Strange Fruit
Southern trees bear strange fruit,
Blood on the leaves and blood at the root,
Black bodies swinging in the southern breeze,
Strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees.

Pastoral scene of the gallant south,
The bulging eyes and the twisted mouth,
Scent of magnolias, sweet and fresh,
Then the sudden smell of burning flesh.

Here is the fruit for the crows to pluck,
For the rain to gather, for the wind to suck,
For the sun to rot, for the trees to drop,
Here is a strange and bitter crop.

sinisterpentatonic said:

Do me a favor lol find the lyrics 4 "The Blues Are Brewin'" thats my absloute fave from her along with "Romance In The dark", "Night & Day", "All Of Me" and "Am I Blue?".

SweetKreme-Thanx 4 the kind words, sugah