Billie Holiday: The Ultimate Collection [DVD] [2005]

For any lover of Jazz this is a must have in their collection. The outstanding track on this album for me is "Fine and Mellow", where Billie sits surrounded by some of the most notable Jazz musicians of the day; Lester Young, Gerry Mulligan, Roy elderidge, Coleman Hawkins, Vic Dickenson, Ben Webster, Danny Baker, and Milt Hinton, on December 8, 1957. She seems relaxed and content singing with twinkling, sharp and expressive eyes.What this collection shows is her immense gentle talent driven by compulsion, as well as intellect. This is not just a sad lady prone to drug and alcohol addiction, but a smouldering superstar, ambitious and self aware.From her film performances there is the unforgettable "Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans ?", with Louis Armstrong, and "The Saddest Tale" with Duke Ellington. Also another TV performance featuring Mal Waldren on piano with a playful version of "What a Little Moonlight Can Do". Unfortunately the Teddy Wilson Orchestra is not featured, but there is a lovely photograph of Billie and Teddy, incorporating the Brunswick record label, of that hit song.This collection really is wonderful, with audio interviews including Billy Eckstine, Corky Hale and Sylvia Syms, complete Recording Histories, and five Audio Performances of Billie Holliday. There is an introduction and brief life story with still shots by Robert Herridge from 1957, and short Biographies written and collected by Ashley Kahn in the accompanying booklet.

Did not have any of her at a younger age and singing with Louie Armstrong...strongly disappointed at calling it The Ultimate when it clearly is not.