Okay, Sputnik. You did it, you have succesfully given me the hardest CD to review. Congratualations, I spend about 2 months listening to this at least 5 times a week or more, and I still don't know what to give this album really.
The fact is, the biggest thing that ruins the album is itself. but the album's saving grace is... Itself. If I could, I would give this album a 1/5, 3/5, 5/5, but I can't. (Can I?)
The Good:
(The Very Good, Infact) The Emotion. If you feel this album rather than listen to it, it may be the best album you've heard. You can almost hear the tears being shed by Billie Holiday on most tracks.
The Bad:
Many Things: first of all Ray Ellis' arrangements do not fit the album at all. While Billie is pouring out her saddest lyrics, Ray Ellis' is conducting a song that seems like it's about the greatest day of ones life, It's not that the music is bad, it's that it's saying the exact opposite of what the artist says.
Billie Holiday was about 42 during the making of this album, but her voice sounds Twice as old as she is. It's borderline hard to listen to, every song is filled with croaks, and flat notes. Which at first listen, makes the album about a 2/5
The album is pretty much all sad, even when it's not meant to be a sad song, you can't help but feel glum when you hear Billie's voice, which is just shot. on
I'm A Fool To Want You Billie puts out one of the saddest songs i've heard
Quote:
Time and time again I said I’d leave you
Time and time again I went away
But then would come the time when I would need you
And once again these words I had to say
Take me back, I love you
...I need you
I know it’s wrong, it must be wrong
But right or wrong I can’t get along
Without you
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Most of the songs on the album seem like a cry for help, and are very lonely.
But there are a few glimmers of hope on the album, such as
Violets For Your Furs which contains vivid imagery where Love turns a cold summer day, into a bright, fun day in the middle of summer.
But Beautiful is another bittersweet song (more bitter than sweet). Basically, She's saying, love can be wonderful, or painful and depressing, but it's beautiful no matter what.
You've Changed is one of the more powerful songs on the album. It was written in 1958, but I'll be damned if I haven't felt the same way about someone
Quote:
You’ve changed
Your kisses now are so blasé
You’re bored with me in every way
I can’t understand
You’ve changed
You’ve forgotten the words, I love you
Each memory that we’ve shared
You ignore every star above you
I can’t realize you’ve ever cared
You’ve changed
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Some songs on the album shine through the unfitting production and cracking voice, but some don't
For Heaven's Sake,
For All We Know, and
It's Easy To Remember just aren't as strong as the other songs, and border on filler.
But the 2 saddest songs on this album (and some of the saddest songs i've heard) are
I Get Along Without You Very Well and
You Don't Know What Love Is
I Get Along Without You Very Well Contradicts it's own title, Billie says she's getting along fine without her lover, until the littlest thing happens and reminds her of all of the good times she had and how those good times don't happen anymore.
You Don't Know What Love Is basically says that nobody has experianced real love until they have had their heart broken by someone they've loved, or by going through so many heart breaking events, or basically having a relationship as depressing as can be, then you don't know what love is.
I'm giving this album a 3, which by Sputnik's standards is "An Average Album" (Let's face it, 2.5 means it's bad. The is the REAL average) but this is the exact opoosite of a forgettable, average album, this is the only 3 album that I would strongly reccomend, because I know that certain people would include this in their favorites after a few listens, and some people could barely finish the album.
If you are Judging this album by msuci and vocals: 2/5
If you judge this album by Lyrics and Emotion: 5/5
But since I judge by both, I must find middle ground and give it to 3. But it's the best 3/5 album I've heard in a long time.
