Classic Album Review: Billie Holiday - The Quintessential Billie Holiday, Vol.1: 1933-1935 (1987)

It is tempting to say that without Billie Holiday there would be no Ella Fitzgerald, no Etta James, no Nina Simone, no Diana Ross, and no Aretha … but I’m not entirely sure that would be wholly accurate. What can’t be disputed is the massive influence “Lady Day” has had, not only within the confines of the jazz genre, but right across the wider spectrum of modern contemporary music.

As such, the first volume of Columbia’s Quintessential series – which covers Holiday’s earliest recordings from 1933 through to 1935 – might just about be one of the most significant (part) career retrospective compilations out there. And when it comes to Holiday, there is a multitude of collections to choose from.

Perhaps the most astounding thing about Holiday’s troubled and tragically short life is the sheer volume of recordings she managed to accumulate. Volume One ultimately may not cover off all of her most important releases (of later years), but this is where it all started, and for that reason alone this album rates as an essential historical document. And what we do get here is Holiday full of life, and consumed by the energy of youth. This is a bright, vibrant, and at times quite stunning set of songs.

The sound quality on my CD copy is a bit dodgy in places, but these are, after all, very early recordings, so I guess that’s part of the deal … let’s just say that’s part of its pioneering charm and leave it at that.

Includes: ‘Your Mother's Son-In-Law’, ‘Miss Brown To You’, ‘I'm Painting The Town Red’, ‘Yankee Doodle Never Went To Town’ (the 78rpm version featuring Teddy Wilson & Orchestra), and ‘Spreadin' Rhythm Around’.