Billie Holiday – Body and Soul: 2024 (AS Verve Mono Vinyl LP)

Billie Holiday’s Body and Soul on Mono 180g LP. Mastered by Ryan K. Smith at Sterling Sound from the Original Analog Tapes, Pressed at QRP and Packaged in a Stoughton Printing Gatefold Old-Style Tip-On Jacket.

Small jazz groups brought out the best in Billie Holiday – especially groups as good as the one heard on this classic 1957 recording. Ben Webster, Harry “Sweets” Edison and the other members of this stellar ensemble were not just gifted soloists but sensitive accompanists as well. Lady Day was rarely more ably supported than she was on this program of sturdy standards, including three gems by the Gershwin brothers – and she rarely sounded more luminous.

Seeking to offer definitive audiophile grade versions of some of the most historic and best jazz records ever recorded, Verve’s vinyl reissue series utilizes the skills of top mastering engineers and the unsurpassed production craft of Quality Record Pressings. All titles are mastered from the original analog tapes, pressed on 180-gram vinyl and packaged by Stoughton Printing Co. in high-quality gatefold sleeves with tip-on jackets.

Musicians:
Billie Holiday, vocals
Ben Webster, tenor saxophone
Jimmy Rowles, piano
Harry “Sweets” Edison, trumpet
Barney Kessel, guitar
Red Mitchell, bass
Alvin Stoller, drums
Larry Bunker, drums

1. Body and Soul
2. They Can’t Take That Away from Me
3. Darn That Dream
4. Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off
5. Comes Love
6. Gee Baby, Ain’t I Good to You
7. Embraceable You
8. Moonlight in Vermont