[lbo-talk] Just wondering...

[Mark Bennett]

Billie said many times that she tried to sing like a horn, and her phrasing
clearly reveals that intention.  Her musicality made up for her lack of
range and power.  Jazz vocalists, especially female singers, often  used
their voices to mimic the virtuosity of the great soloists; for instance,
much of Sarah Vaughn's vocal embellishments, for which she received a great
deal of criticism, were employed to create instrumental effects.  As for why
Lady Day's bands were so good:  Those cats could just play.  The level of
musicianship was very high - it had to be.  Teddy Wilson was her primary
accompanist and bandleader throughout her career, and he was a monster.

On Mon, Mar 28, 2011 at 9:19 PM, <123hop at comcast.net> wrote:


>
> How come the orchestras behind Billie Holiday were so amazingly good?...and
> she sang like one more instrument among the others ...in some of the purest
> and best jazz I've ever heard...
>
> I'm completely ignorant of jazz history, so anybody know?
>
> Joanna
> ___________________________________
> http://mailman.lbo-talk.org/mailman/listinfo/lbo-talk
>