audioblog

musicology #22

ladiesweek..day two..

if Bille is the most influential then as far as themusicologist is concerned this next vocalist has the best ‘set of pipes’ .. I know that’s subject to my opinion of what constitutes a good voice and maybe there are those who would disagree. if so..clean your ears out.

the effortlessness, timing, phrasing and authenticity of this singer is beyond question.

again, extremely challenging to pick just one tune from her large catalogue..

recorded March/April 1947

p.s who does’nt?

musicology #21

ladiesweek #1

(Billie Holiday – Love Me Or Leave Me)

Kicking off ladiesweek with possibly the most influential female vocalist of all time…Eleanora Fagan Gough popularly known as Billie Holiday who most certainly had a right to sing the Blues and sing them she did but in a new ‘uptown’ style that took it’s lead from the one and only Louis Armstrong.

Of course there’s Bessie Smith, Mahalia Jackson and Dinah Washington  to consider but let’s leave that debate to one side.

very difficult to pick one slice of musicology from her repertoire but one it must be…

Accompanied by the sublime artistry of Teddy Wilson and full crew from sometime in the 1930’s … Billie step up to the m.i.c and let us know what time it is..