Poor production values for a CD set of this price
Michael Beane | Chicago, IL USA | 05/17/2008
(3 out of 5 stars)
"This comment is about the packaging, not the music. (Some of the music is pretty scratchy but it's always great to hear Billie). I was expecting more given the price. The 5 CDs come in a standard double sized CD case. The booklet is divided in two at the midpoint so each half fits in one side of the case. The liner notes are a jumble of short session notes and asides such as "Billie's Husband Is Arrested 1942", with little organization or perspective. There are a total of six pictures. Overall the liner notes look like a homework assignment typed on the last surviving typewriter. The price led me to expect a meticulous effort. This is more like something advertised on TV at 2 a.m.
"
Billy holiday rare recordings
lola riviera | california | 03/18/2008
(3 out of 5 stars)
"
Some recordings were excellent, others were of very poor quality and should have been re-done before selling to the public or not be included if this was not possible. In retrospect it was worth the "price of admission" to again listen to her and to some numbers we hadn't heard her sing before."
Couldn't ask for more....
R. French | Englewood, CO | 04/17/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It was stated in a previous review that the music should have been re-mastered but I couldn't disagree more.
Part of the beauty of this set is that the music is presented in it's original quailty. While sometimes lacking, it gives you a better "feel" for the time the music was recorded. For me, it's about the experience of the time, not trying to retrofit it to my liking.
There are many duplicate songs but Ms. Holiday does a little something different each time she belts out a song. If you are a Billie Holiday fan, this is a collection that you should have."