Music Monday: Billie Holiday

A Young Lady Day

Melancholy horns blow mournful cries as the lady begins to play her own soulful instrument,

"  Southern trees, bear a strange fruit..."

Billie Holiday, born Elinor Harris, recorded "Strange Fruit" after receiving the song from a nightclub owner in Greenwich Village, New York in 1939.  This haunting tale, born out of poetry written by Bronx school teacher, Abel Meeropol, went on to be Holiday's most famous recording.  It is written that Holiday would end each set with this soul-stirring performance.  Waiters would cease serving and house lights would dim.  I can just imagine being in the audience when that raspy, weary soul would start to croon. Oh how bitter that cup must have been, crashing against the sweet the sounds of her magnificent voice as she pitied the deaths of not so distant ancestors.  Holiday was a tortured soul who suffered loss and heartache, and every wretched emotion spilled over into her music.  Singing often of cheating lovers and loves lost, her music reflected her life, and her life... full of woes and not many days.  Gilbert Millstein of The New York Times, wrote on her tragic death at the age of 44,

"The worms of every kind of excess – drugs were only one – had eaten her."

Billie Holiday was the essence of jazz.  Her voice was mesmerizing.  Her message was powerful.  Her music is timeless.  If for any reason, there should be one among you who have not witnessed the audio-spiritual revival that is Ms. Day, I implore you to Google, Youtube, Facebook, Amazon,  do something concerning your ears and her sound.

Go with God and let ♥ guide you to everlasting....
~Niq'