Reviews for Billie Holiday

The average rating for Billie Holiday based on 2 reviews is 4.5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2019-06-28 00:00:00 Serenggeti Pasir This biography brings to life the troubled career of Billie Holiday – definitely one of the major jazz vocalists of the twentieth century. There is no other voice like Billie Holiday. It is unique and unforgettable. She had many obstacles to overcome. She was black and a woman. She was from the “wrong side of the tracks”. This book high-lights many of her psychological problems. She was living with her mother a great deal (or her mother was living with her) – and they would argue and fight constantly. Her marriages and relationships were fraught and often physically abusive (Billie Holiday could give as good as she got). Billie Holiday drank a lot from a young age (she died at the age of 44 of cirrhosis of the liver). She smoked marijuana and in the 1940’s became addicted to heroin. She was emotionally volatile and could be extremely blunt. Some said she had the personality of a twelve-year old. The author discusses the making of songs like “Strange Fruit” and “God Bless the Child”. “Strange Fruit” was different from most of Billie Holiday’s repertoire and even today (or more so today?) is a strongly affecting message song on the barbarism of racial persecution. What I liked about this book is the many personal anecdotes in the life of Billie Holiday. And we come away with a picture of the many personalities in the jazz world. Of drugs, alcohol, sex, sleazy night-clubs with sleazy characters exploiting each other. But also, of wonderful performances of extremely gifted musicians. Unlike some jazz biographies it is not simply a listing of recordings and performances. What I didn’t like… The book is way too long, easily one hundred pages could have been removed. It was annoying how the writer bounced back and forth chronologically. It was poorly written. Sources were not named. But an excellent rendering of this iconic performer. Billie Holiday lived through, and put herself emotionally into her songs. Page 25-26 (my book) But as Eleanora [Billie Holiday’s original name] began to become Billie Holiday, it is clear that she also became a hero, not a victim. Like many of the greatest artists, she roared through life like an express train, staying sane by remaining faithful to the sub-culture in which she found herself; never asking for anything, and certainly not for permission.

Review # 2 was written on 2019-05-12 00:00:00 Roberto Belan A truly astonishing read. I've been a fan of Billie Holiday since I was about 16 years old, and knew something of her tragic life. Clarke's biography paints a far more complex picture than I'd imagined. Here, Holiday is shown to be a genuine paradox. She is a slave to addiction and yet incredibly strong and resilient. She is an irrepressible force of nature whilst being plagued with self doubt. There appear to be so many missed opportunities in her life but, at the same time, it is undeniably complete. A great book.