Holiday Blues - Billie Holiday

Advantages: The price of the Album was good and within my budget
Disadvantages: The music store had to order the Album in, did not have it in stock

...This was an excellent Album, made easy listening. I have long been a Billy Holiday fan but to those people who have not heard her soulfull voice, I would recommend this album as an intro into the ninteen thirties blues scene. Backed by the Ken Burns Jazz Band, Billy's voice is so sypathetically handled and allowed to blend with each mellow note. Its a rare combination of orchestra and voice, that is simply so in harmony with each other that the listener is lulled into the whole pre war American Night Club ethos. On listening to tracks three and four, " Me Myself and I " and "Without Your Love" with thier slight swing rhythm, you almost feel you are part of the audience, sitting at one of the tables. A drink in one hand and a cigarette in the other, smoke filling the sultry air of the room, disturbed only by the background murmer... Read review

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Advantages: None
Disadvantages: Everything

...Billie Piper. Formerly Billie - clean cut, girl-next-door, annoying and from Swindon. But now she's rediscovered her surname, learnt from the Book of Britney and finds she just can't get clothes to cover her midriff. After bursting into our lives 2 years ago as a chirpy 15 year old, she became the face of pre-pubescent must-read Smash Hits, had a few #1s, released an album and then disappeared from the public eye. Then something happnened. Britney Spears. After capturing the hearts of the fickle pop pickers. Britney was promptly joined by Christina, Jessica and Mandy and Billie was forgotten about, famous only for being the girlfriend of the Julian Clary look-alike from 5ive. And so to succeed in the overcrowded pop princess market, Billie's return had to be spectacular and so Britney's style, image and "sound" were mimiced... Read review

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Advantages: Smart tunes with a jazz undercurrent
Disadvantages: Too "modern" for jazz purists?

...a compliment when a singer can sound like a host of others. Firstly her nasal delivery is akin to Nelly Furtado. That's not something she'll be proud of, but it's the obvious comparison. When she's being twee and sweet, it's Erykah Badu and, more commonly, Billie Holiday. She grumbles on the low notes and that's when she can sound a bit llike Nina Simone. She uses hip hop beats allied to traditional jazz instruments on about half of the tracks on Frank. Whilst this is not a new approach, her voice guarantees that next 13 tracks are an interesting ride. WHAT DOES SHE SING ABOUT? ---------------------------------------------- Got an hour? Generally relationships. There's a track on the album about packing your stuff into boxes after the break-up of a live-in relationship. Another is an anti-mutton-dressed-as-lamb anthem that women over... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful