What Are You Listening To?

[Tiggi]

6 disc box set (biscuit tin set, actually) which covers the fading of a star. Recordings cover 1952 to her death in 1959.

The latter stages of this set exhibit the same vocal deterioration which are evident on the Lady in Satin album, but for much of the time, she's in fine voice.

Billie's recordings divide quite easily into brilliant performances from a brilliant voice, which are tainted by the restrictions of recording technology during the early 20th century, and great performances from a singer in gentle decline, which are gloriously recorded. At the same time, the demise of 78s, meant that time restraints became less of an issue, and the later recordings are more expansive, with more room for instrumental soloing.

I love both, but think I'm shifting slowly toward the earlier stuff.

Great, great music.


AllMusic 5/5 stars.