Lady in Satin – Billie Holiday (Vinyl 12" LP)
Released in 1958, Lady in Satin is Billie Holiday’s final completed studio album—a profoundly moving and elegiac work recorded just 15 months before her death. With orchestral arrangements conducted by Ray Ellis, the record showcases Holiday’s fragile, timeworn voice in a setting far removed from her early jazz combos. Instead of technical perfection, Holiday offers raw emotion, vulnerability, and interpretative depth that few vocalists have ever matched. It stands as one of the most intimate recordings in vocal jazz history.
Key Highlights
- Features stirring renditions of “I’m a Fool to Want You”, “You’ve Changed”, and “For All We Know”
- Lush orchestral backing arranged and conducted by Ray Ellis
- A stark, poignant contrast to her earlier swing and small ensemble work
- Often pressed on 180g vinyl with restored mono or stereo mixes
- Recognised as one of Billie Holiday’s most emotionally powerful recordings
Tracklisting
Side A
1. I'm a Fool to Want You
2. For Heaven's Sake
3. You Don't Know What Love Is
4. I Get Along Without You Very Well
5. For All We Know
6. Violets for Your Furs
Side B
1. You've Changed
2. It's Easy to Remember
3. But Beautiful
4. Glad to Be Unhappy
5. I'll Be Around
Fun Fact
Though she was initially reluctant to work with strings, Billie Holiday later said *Lady in Satin* was her personal favourite among her own albums.
Why You Should Buy This Vinyl
- A haunting and historic farewell from one of the greatest voices in jazz
- Ideal for fans of emotionally driven vocal performances and orchestral jazz
- High-quality vinyl pressings capture the lush arrangements and vocal nuances
- A deeply human recording that resonates with listeners across generations
Lady in Satin is not just an album—it’s a final chapter, a fragile masterpiece that immortalises Billie Holiday’s artistry and emotional depth. A must-own for any serious collector of jazz or vocal music.