Billie Holiday - Billie Holiday's Greatest Hits (Decca)

There's no such thing as a genuine Billie Holiday greatest-hits collection--her career was split among too many labels for that--but this single-disc distillation of the Complete Decca Recordings 2 CD set (recorded between 1944 and 1950) is pretty solid. Holiday's in fine vocal form (though her accompaniment is undistinguished easy-listening stuff; the choir on "God Bless the Child" is a bit frustrating), and the songs are arranged to work as an album rather than chronologically. She transcends the ideas of torch songs, of blues, of ballad singing--her version of "Lover Man" exemplifies erotic despair, tormented and aroused at once--and even the lesser-known tracks here are pleasant surprises, like a Leonard Bernstein song. --Douglas Wolk Amazon.com

Big Unique Voice

The first time I heard Billie Holiday's voice was when my parents were visiting friends. I looked over their record collection and asked if I might play this Billie Holiday one. (I had never heard of her.) From the first song to the last, I was crazy about her. The cut called "You're My Thrill" was unlike anything I had ever heard before. All these years later, I never forgot that first experience and looked for this music at Amazon. Lucky for me, I found it. October 3, 2008

easy on the ears....

Nineteen mellow arrangements and a laid back Ms Holiday make for a very pleasant hour of listening pleasure. It can set the mood for a relaxed dinner party by having this play in the background. January 6, 2008

Not even close to her Greatest

Although there are a few good cuts on this collection, despite the generally terrible arrangements, almost any other collection of Billie's is better. If you want a single disc Greatest Hits album, try an obscure Brit import called "Fine and Mellow." The only thing the DECCA CD has going for it is better sound quality, because it was recorded much later than most of her good recordings. February 22, 2002

Great sound quality

I've heard many Billie Holiday CDs and this is one of the better ones. The sound quality is fantastic. 19 of her very best hits. I recommend this to both new and old Holiday fans. January 14, 2002

An album for those who've never listened to Billie Holiday..

...Like me! True, these songs don't represent the real Billie because they are so short (about 3 minutes each). And there are a lot of added strings in the background in order to fit into what was commercially typical of the day. BUT trust me, after you listen to "Good Morning Heartache" it will sound like REAL music, compared to so much (noise/garbage) that passes for music in the present.

I love this record! March 25, 2001

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