In Part 1 (see the Index), we examined some of the common arguments that are used by authors in and outside of academia to “prove” that Holiday was not responsible for the content of her book Lady Sings the Blues. We saw that some of the “evidence” is false, some is misleading, and that of all the many authors of writings about Billie, only
Point taken. But, when people have doubted whether she wrote her own autobiography, it’s really the veracity of what’s in the autobiography that they directly or indirectly question?
Hello, No, that. is not the case. There are questions about the accuracy of ALL autobiographies, even ones that have no assisting author. And as you can see, I have quoted the arguments about whether she wrote it, and not One of those arguments mentions the accuracy of the book. Accuracy is a separate issue which I will address in future essays. Because others may have this question, I have added a sentence near the end of the essay. THANK YOU
I was very sorry to hear about Frank's passing. A very kind man and between about 1986 and 2006 we were good friends, talked by telephone, etc. THANK YOU
As pointed out to me by Eddie Henderson, the stories exchanged are just as much jazz as what happens on the bandstand. Thanks for sharing information closer to the truth. Al McKibbon, in an interview with Joe Brazil said about Lady Sings the Blues, "Her book? Well the book was fairly true. But, you know, there are so many things that are just better unsaid about a person’s personal life and she didn’t put all those things in the book." For the full interview go to http://joebrazilproject.blogspot.com/2021/05/joe-brazil-interviews-al-mckibbon.html.
Thanks for that Steve. What McKibbon didn't know is that there are many things that WERE in the book that got cut before it was published. Szwed looked at the uncut manuscript and reports on it in his book--and he also reports that Billie said at least twice after the book was published that she was sorry about what was omitted. THANK YOU
There is absolutely no logical connection between the memoir and her songwriting and please do Not confuse those issues. I will address her songwriting credits in a later essay. Thank you David!
Point taken. But, when people have doubted whether she wrote her own autobiography, it’s really the veracity of what’s in the autobiography that they directly or indirectly question?
Hello, No, that. is not the case. There are questions about the accuracy of ALL autobiographies, even ones that have no assisting author. And as you can see, I have quoted the arguments about whether she wrote it, and not One of those arguments mentions the accuracy of the book. Accuracy is a separate issue which I will address in future essays. Because others may have this question, I have added a sentence near the end of the essay. THANK YOU
Thank you for reply. Look forward to reading them. (If I may add on a sort of private note: we have a mutual friend, Frank Büchman Møller)
I was very sorry to hear about Frank's passing. A very kind man and between about 1986 and 2006 we were good friends, talked by telephone, etc. THANK YOU
As pointed out to me by Eddie Henderson, the stories exchanged are just as much jazz as what happens on the bandstand. Thanks for sharing information closer to the truth. Al McKibbon, in an interview with Joe Brazil said about Lady Sings the Blues, "Her book? Well the book was fairly true. But, you know, there are so many things that are just better unsaid about a person’s personal life and she didn’t put all those things in the book." For the full interview go to http://joebrazilproject.blogspot.com/2021/05/joe-brazil-interviews-al-mckibbon.html.
Thanks for that Steve. What McKibbon didn't know is that there are many things that WERE in the book that got cut before it was published. Szwed looked at the uncut manuscript and reports on it in his book--and he also reports that Billie said at least twice after the book was published that she was sorry about what was omitted. THANK YOU
From this, I logically assume she also wrote the songs she is credited with writing, such as "Billie's Blues" and "God Bless The Child".
There is absolutely no logical connection between the memoir and her songwriting and please do Not confuse those issues. I will address her songwriting credits in a later essay. Thank you David!
Okay, Lewis. Thank you for this.
I haven't read her book and now will buy a copy.
Another fascinating subject covered so completely.
Many thanks,
Gerard
Thanks friend!