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LIMITED COLLECTORS’ EDITION 180g COLOURED (BRONZE) VINYL OWN UNIQUE STICKER. “These are top-notch performances at the very peak of Holiday’s power as an artist.” (Thom Jurek) Billie Holiday was 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 collective personnel: Frankie Newton, Doc Cheatham, Freddie Webster (tp), Tab Smith, Lem Davis (as, ss), Kenneth Hollon, Stanley Payne (ts), Vic Dickenson (tb), Sonny White, Eddie Heywood (p), Jimmy McLin, Teddy Walters (g), Johnny Williams, John Simmons (b), Eddie Dougherty, Sidney Catlett (d). Sessions recoded during 1939 and 1944. Produced by Milt Gabler.