THIS RARE GEM IS NOW AVILABLE . FIRST RELEASED IN 1975. A MUST FOR ANY BILLIE HOLIDAY COLLECTOR. We hear Billie at the end of her career and so,through her almost stream of consciousness talk, we are able to get a remarkably clear idea of her life from her point of view. The results are facinating. Billie Holiday's life is the stuff of legends: and in quite a different form. Although her autobiography was titled "LADY SINGS THE BLUES" Billie rarely sang the blues, SHE WAS A JAZZ SINGER, PURE AND SIMPLE. THE BEST JAZZ SINGER OF HER TIME, PROBABLY OF ALL TIME. On this recording there are songs from Billie not heard before. But just as importantly, there is a great deal of pre song talk between her and those at the session. This affords us a unique look at a totally different side of this great artist. A natural, intimate window into the inner workings of a star..There is humor here, laughter and joy of living. There is tension and frustration . And there are glimpses into the incredible musical insights of this woman. Billie Holiday is long overdue to emerge from the concealing shadows of history. She should be remembered by all of us for whom music means more than just listening. ERIC VAN LUSTBADER