Billie Holiday - Songs For Distingue Lovers
Billie Holiday, vocals [click here to see more vinyl featuring Billie Holiday]
Harry "Sweets" Edison, trumpet [click here to see more vinyl featuring Harry Sweets Edison]
Ben Webster, tenor saxophone [click here to see more vinyl featuring Ben Webster]
Larry Bunker, drums
Barney Kessel, guitar
Red Mitchell, bass
Joe Mondragon, bass
Jimmy Rowles, piano
Alvin Stoller, drums
Written by Johnny Mercer (A1), Rube Bloom (A1), George & Ira Gershwin (A2), Frank Perkins (A3), Mitchell Parish (A3), Harold Arlen (B1), Johnny Mercer (B1), Cole Porter (B2), Lorenz Hart (B3), Richard Rodgers (B3)
1 LP, Stoughton Printing gatefold jacket
Original analog Master tape : YES
Heavy Press : 180g
Record color : black
Speed : 33RPM
Size : 12”
Stereo
Studio
Record Press : Quality Record Pressings
Label : Verve Acoustic Sounds Series
Original Label : Verve
Produced by Norman Granz
Reissue produced by Chad Kassem
Mastered by Ryan Smith at Bernie Grundman Mastering
Lacquer cut by Bernie Grundman at Bernie Grundman Mastering
Liner notes by Norman Granz
Photography by Burt Goldblatt
Originally released in 1958
Reissued in June 2023
Tracks:
Side A:
- Day In Day Out
- A Foggy Day
- Stars Fell On Alabama
Side B:
- One For My Baby (And One More For The Road)
- Just One Of Those Things
- I Didn't Know What Time It Was
Reviews
“Songs for Distingué Lovers forms part of the last series of extensive small-group recordings that Lady Day would make in the studio. Although her voice was largely shot at this point, she puts so much feeling into the lyrics that it's easy to overlook her dark sound. The band is a major asset, and made up of all-stars: trumpeter Harry "Sweets" Edison, tenor saxophonist Ben Webster, pianist Jimmie Rowles, guitarist Barney Kessel, bassist Red Mitchell, and Alvin Stoller or Larry Bunker on drums. There are plenty of short solos for Edison, Webster, and Kessel. Holiday does her best on such numbers as "A Foggy Day," "One for My Baby," "Just One of Those Things," and "I Didn't Know What Time It Was," and there are plenty of haunting moments, even if one could tell (even at the time) that the end was probably drawing near for the singer.” AllMusic Review by Scott Yanow
"...these are all truly classic Verve titles that you simply don't want to miss...most importantly, the sound of these reissues is nothing short of astounding. Particularly the early Billie and Ella mono records are incredible treasures of sonic beauty. I'd definitely ask Santa for the whole set, or, if you want to cherry pick, the most classic titles. Whatever you decide, you owe yourself at least a half dozen!" Danny Kaey, Positive Feedback Online, November/December 2011
Rating:
AllMusic 3 / 5 , Discogs 4.49 / 5