The link to the Billie Holiday discography opens a page to an entry on Lady in Satin, and I’m all thumbs and unable to get to the home page for the complete discography. Little help, please?
And thanks for this whole series, especially today’s versions of All of Me.
Hello Lazaro! Looks like they changed their home page--I just updated the link--see if it works now--all of the options are in the left column (search by sessions, songs, musicians, etc.). THANKS!
Since I know you pride yourself on accuracy, I'll make one nitpick: the 1954 Carnegie Hall performance is from the Roulette album "Birdland All Stars Live at Carnegie Hall," and while it is indeed credited to Holiday with Count Basie and His Orchestra, Basie reportedly sat out for this set. The Roulette release says Carl Drinkard played piano, but according to Tom Lord (citing Donald Clarke), Memry Midgett is likely the pianist.
Thank--yes, it IS MIdgett--it was and still is standard for singers to bring their own pianists to such events. That's why in the 60s when Ella sang with Duke, Jimmy Jones played piano for her with the band, not Duke! I'll make a slight adjustment to the text. THANKS!
Lew - is it safe to assume that Elaine Leighton was chosen by Billie then as well? Early 50s was still relatively uncommon to see a touring female kit player. At least, that's my presumption. Correct me if I'm wrong.
Hi Evan--when you say "as well," do you mean as well as Feather? I'm actually researching that right now, and I should have a very interesting post ready about this before long. And yes, there were only a few professional female jazz drummers in those days, and maybe only 2 or 3 who recorded! THANKS!
Brilliant! Analysis like this give, at least me, a much deeper insighht in Billie Holiday's artistry even though I have loved her works for over half a century.
The link to the Billie Holiday discography opens a page to an entry on Lady in Satin, and I’m all thumbs and unable to get to the home page for the complete discography. Little help, please?
And thanks for this whole series, especially today’s versions of All of Me.
Hello Lazaro! Looks like they changed their home page--I just updated the link--see if it works now--all of the options are in the left column (search by sessions, songs, musicians, etc.). THANKS!
Since I know you pride yourself on accuracy, I'll make one nitpick: the 1954 Carnegie Hall performance is from the Roulette album "Birdland All Stars Live at Carnegie Hall," and while it is indeed credited to Holiday with Count Basie and His Orchestra, Basie reportedly sat out for this set. The Roulette release says Carl Drinkard played piano, but according to Tom Lord (citing Donald Clarke), Memry Midgett is likely the pianist.
Obviously this does not affect the point you are making about Holiday's performance!
Thank--yes, it IS MIdgett--it was and still is standard for singers to bring their own pianists to such events. That's why in the 60s when Ella sang with Duke, Jimmy Jones played piano for her with the band, not Duke! I'll make a slight adjustment to the text. THANKS!
Lew - is it safe to assume that Elaine Leighton was chosen by Billie then as well? Early 50s was still relatively uncommon to see a touring female kit player. At least, that's my presumption. Correct me if I'm wrong.
Hi Evan--when you say "as well," do you mean as well as Feather? I'm actually researching that right now, and I should have a very interesting post ready about this before long. And yes, there were only a few professional female jazz drummers in those days, and maybe only 2 or 3 who recorded! THANKS!
Looking forward! Sorry, I meant in addition to Memry Midgett as evidence of Billie's use of female musicians (while touring).
Oh I see--Yes I think Leighton, and, at least one more. THANKS!
Brilliant! Analysis like this give, at least me, a much deeper insighht in Billie Holiday's artistry even though I have loved her works for over half a century.
Thank you Bo! I will be publishing a lot more of this kind of analysis.