Billie Holiday is probably the most lyrical and expressive female vocalist in jazz history. This set compiles her complete sessions for the legendary Commodore label. Made between Billie's contracts for Columbia/Okeh and Decca, these recordings present her in top form, backed by excellent small groups featuring such names as Frankie Newton, Freddie Webster, Tab Smith, Vic Dickenson, Eddie Heywood, and Sidney Catlett. Among the highlights of the set are Billie's first version of the shocking 'Strange Fruit', which she used to conclude her stage performances, as well as readings of famous standards she would never record again, such as 'As Time Goes By' and 'I'll Be Seeing You'.BILLIE HOLIDAY, vocals on all tracks, with:

ON TRACKS A1-A4: Frankie Newton ( trumpet ), Tab Smith ( alto & soprano sax ), Kenneth Hollon, Stanley Payne ( tenor sax ), Sonny White ( piano ), Jimmy McLin ( guitar ), Johnny Williams ( bass ), Eddie Dougherty ( drums ). Newton, Smith & Payne out on “Yesterdays”. New York, April 20, 1939.

ON TRACKS A5-A8: Doc Cheatham ( trumpet ), Vic Dickenson ( trombone ), Lem Davis ( alto sax ), Eddie Heywood ( piano & conductor ), Teddy Walters ( guitar ), John Simmons ( bass ), Sidney Catlett ( drums ). New York, March 25, 1944.

ON TRACKS B1-B4: Doc Cheatham ( trumpet ), Vic Dickenson ( trombone ), Lem Davis ( alto sax ), Eddie Heywood ( piano & conductor ), John Simmons ( bass ), Sidney Catlett ( drums ). New York, April 1, 1944.

ON TRACKS B5-B8: Eddie Heywood ( piano ), Teddy Walters ( guitar ), John Simmons ( bass ), Sidney Catlett ( drums ). New York, April 8, 1944.

TRACKS:
A1 STRANGE FRUIT
A2 YESTERDAYS
A3 FINE AND MELLOW
A4 I GOTTA RIGHT TO SING THE BLUES
A5 HOW AM I TO KNOW?
A6 MY OLD FLAME
A7 I’LL GET BY
A8 I COVER THE WATERFRONT

B1 I’LL BE SEEING YOU
B2 I’M YOURS
B3 EMBRACEABLE YOU
B4 AS TIME GOES BY
B5 HE’S FUNNY THAT WAY
B6 LOVER COME BACK TO ME
B7 I LOVE MY MAN (aka BILLIE’S BLUES)
B8 ON THE SUNNY SIDE OF THE STREET