Two separate gigs from the Storyville Club in Boston are documented on this hard-to-find album. Both were apparently broadcast over the radio as there is an announcer between sets discussing both the music and the venue. The first set from 1951 is a joy, finding Billie in a relaxed setting singing her usual repertoire of hits like “Them There Eyes” and a magnificent take of “I Cover The Waterfront.” The house trio behind her here is workmanlike and not too exciting, but then Billie never demanded pyrotechnics and this trio’s comping is hushed and easy, leaving all the music to Billie, whose voice sounds marvelous and strong given the time period. The second set is from 1953 with Stan Getz sitting in. The song selection is more varied and outside Billie’s usual choices. Getz glides all over the music with his smooth, West Coast sound, recalling Billie’s great recordings with Lester Young and Ben Webster. It’s a shame these two didn’t record together more. The trio is different from 1951 but with the same modus operandi: comp quietly and efficiently, stay out of Billie’s way. This set is just as effective as the first one despite a slightly more noticable deterioration in Billie’s singing. Not enough to put anyone off. This is a great album worth discovering!
Personnel:
John Fields (bass)
Marquis Foster (drums)
Stan Getz (saxophone)
Busdter Hardin (piano)
Billie Holiday (vocals)
Tracklist:
01. You're Driving Me Crazy (Donaldson)
02. Lover Come Back To Me (Romberg/Hammerstein)
03. Ain't Nobody's Bizz-Ness If I Do (Taylor)
04. He's Funny That Way (Moret/Whiting)
05. Billie's Blues (I Love My Man) (Holiday)
06. Miss Brown To You (Robin/Whiting/Rainger)
07. Detour Ahead (Carter/Ellis/Fringe)
08. Strange Fruit (Allen)
09. Ain't Nobody's Bizz-Ness If I Do (Taylor)
10.All Of Me (Marks)
11.I LOve You, Porgy (Gershwin)
12.Miss Brown To You (Robin/Whiting/Rainger)
13.Billie's Blues (I Love My Man) (Holiday)
14.Lover Man (Ramirez-Davis-Sherman)
15.Then There Eyes (Pinkard-Tracey)
16.My Man (Yvin/Pollock)
17.I Cover The Waterfront (Heyman/Green)
18.Crazy He Calls Me (Russell/Sigman)
19.Lover Come Back To Me (Romberg/Hammerstein)
ARMU 2164
ARMU 2164 (shareplace)