We miss you Billie ..

https://progressive.org/dispatches/stran...C3GM60.facebook

WOW! Nigel, Tony has a book out of print with sections written by Holiday, Anita O Day, Thelonious MonK, Cannonball, etc. Sad and
moving in many ways. I'll see if he's thru with it. You would appreciate the material and be very sad at what happened.

Russ

I sure do. I've worshiped this woman as long as I can remember. I went all the way to Brooklyn (or Bronx - can't remember) to view her body when she died. Viewing was open to the public. I remember being struck by the fact that no one else was there (or came) during my brief visit. My mother LOVED her and her music. I have most of her music on vinyl (33 1/3), from Lester Young to Jazz at the Philharmonic.

Of course Billie has the definitive version of 'Strange Fruit', but there are also some pretty amazing covers by Nina Simone, Cassandra Wilson, and even a surprisingly good rock? version by....wait for it, Katey Segal.

Another 'signature' tune by Billie which, according to legend, caused a few 'stock-crash millionaires' to commit suicide, was Gloomy Sunday. If you listen to it, you can see why. She was truly one of a kind, but like all the TRUE legends, she'll live forever in our memories and in our hearts. Yep, we miss you Billie.

Here is a version by Nina with graphics...warning!!! pictures are disturbing. Nina's comments are also interesting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8Lq_yasEgo

chas

Thanks so much for the link to that. It is so tragic yet such a moving rendition of "Strange Fruit". Such a shameful time in history that should never be forgotten so it never happens again. Billie was a civil rights legend who died before the movement could save her sadly.

Excellent presentation. Worth watching through to the end (ends with a vocal performance). Combines Art with history.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZUoYgPe1Y4

chas

That is so powerful. So tragically sad but so powerful.