Billie Holiday - The Commodore Masters [Red Vinyl]

Cat. no: 350299
Format: LP Red Vinyl
Barcode: 8436563186882
Release Date: 17 Apr 2026
Genre: Jazz

16 essential tracks - limited edition pressing on 180g red vinyl, contains new specially prepared liner notes by Penguin Guide to Jazz's writer Brian Morton and by Paris' prestigious Jazz Magazine

Billie Holiday's legendary Commodore recordings made between 1939 and 1944 gave credence to Holiday being the most lyrical and expressive vocalist in jazz history. 

This set compiles the complete master takes she recorded for the legendary Commodore label - sessions that presented her in top form and backed by small groups with star players such as trumpeter players Doc Cheatham and Frankie Newton, saxophonist Tab Smith , pianist Eddie Heywood , bassist John Simmons , trombonist Vic Dickenson, and drummer Sidney Catlett, among others.

Among the highlights are Billie Holiday 's frst version of "Strange Fruit" (which she used to conclude her stage performances) and readings of famous standards that she would never record again, such as 'As Time Goes By' and I'll Be Seeing You.' 

"These are top-notch performances at the very peak of Holiday's power as an artist." - **** Thom Jurek, AllMusic

Tracks: Strange Fruit / Yesterdays / Fine And Mellow / I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues / How Am I To Know? / My Old Flame / I'll Get By / I Cover The Waterfront / I'll Be Seeing You / I'm Yours / Embraceable You / As Time Goes By / He's Funny That Way / Lover Come Back To Me / I Love My Man (Aka Billie's Blues) / On The Sunny Side Of The Street