1001 Albums: #16. Billie Holiday - Lady in Satin

Billie Holiday - Lady in Satin
Columbia, 1958



Imagine hearing that voice for the first time. This was the last album released while she was still alive, and reading up on her death is one of the most heartbreaking things I've read in a while. Just so tragic how someone who was able to make such stunningly gorgeous music suffered so greatly. These recordings are world weary and weathered. Well, her voice is at least, compared to her dulcet tones in the 30s. The sweetness is gone, but the orchestrations are epic and sappy, and contrast wildly with the newfound rasp in her voice and make this an incredible listen.