jalex11 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

it's I realize Jazz was born out of blues but it alson had many other influences including african music, carribean music, classical music, marching band music etc. Saying Billie Holiday is blues because jazz was influenced by blues is like saying that the Beatles were an R&B group because Rock and Roll was born out of R&B. In any case the important thing is that we both agree that Billie and Anita were great artists!

LizzyDouglas (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

@jalex11: Sorry that we don't agree. For many including myself, Jazz is a form of the blues. Jazz(?) evolved out of the blues, the blues is the beginning of all modern music also jazz & R & Roll. Louis Armstrong is for many the personification of Jazz... but when you listen to his prewar recordings, you hear... blues, blues & nothing but the blues. When you hear Billie.... you hear BLUES, BLUES, BLUES. When you'll name that "JAZZ" it's alright by me!!

jalex11 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Billie is a jazz singer who sang some blues and infused her selections with the feeling of the blues, but she was definitely, for the most part a Jazz singer. Billie phrased like a horn, swung, and improvised on the melody of songs, these are all traits of a jazz vocalist not a blues singer.

LizzyDouglas (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Don't forget Billie's phrasing and timing, she was unique in that. Billie IS the BLUES (NÓT Jazz!!). Though many pigeon-hole her as a Jazz-singer! Billie is incomparable. Anita, whom I also love very very much, can't be compared with Billie and the other way around. They both are unique in their own fields, discussion is useless.

jalex11 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Anyone that says Billie Holiday had no voice by the end is missing the point. Billie never had a technically remarkable voice, what she had to offer was a completely innovative style and timbre, phenomenal musicianship and an ability to add emotional intensity to her selections.I am not taking anything away from Anita, but Billie came FIRST and pioneered the style that indirectly and directly inspired Anita's own personal style.

dafsoogood (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

i wonder why they didnt do a comparison with ella fitzgerald....w/e

jburidan (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Billie was a great great singer indeed but by the time she died she had any voice at all. I doubt that any progression in style could happen later, If she had been alive. There can't be a comparition in both singers they are different and they are great. I personally think that Anita was the Jazz singer with the most innate talent and musicianship, others have beautifull full range voices, but no that musicianship and phrasing forget my english is not my native language.

mjmurdock (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Me too.

Gman3thousand (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Billie is by no means overrated. Why does it have to be either or? They had completely different styles. Besides, Billie died too young for there to be any progression in her style.

twsmpjlz (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

i love this women