About this item

Part of the motivation behind the 1956 Carnegie Hall concert was to promote Billie's autobiography, Lady Sings the Blues. The music was attuned entirely to Billie's character part, reinforced by readings from her book by Gilbert Millstein. Although recorded in 1956, the LP was only issued in 1961, almost two years after Billie's passing on July 17, 1959, at the age of 44.

Billie Holiday, vocals
Roy Eldridge, trumpet
Coleman Hawkins, tenor sax
Carl Drinkard, piano
Tony Scott, clarinet (piano on Lady Sings the Blues only)
Carson Smith, bass
Chico Hamilton, drums
Gilbert Millstein, readings from the book Lady Sings the Blues

Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, November 10, 1956.

TRACK LISTING

Oh, What A Little Moonlight Can Do
I Cover The Waterfront
Fine And Mellow
I Cried For You
My Man
Reading From Lady Sings The Blues
I'll Be Seeing You
Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone
Yesterdays
Don't Explain
Reading From Lady Sings The Blues
Body And Soul
Billie's Blues
Reading From Lady Sings The Blues
Travelin Light With Reading
It Ain't Nobody's Business If I Do
Lady Sings The Blues
Reading From Lady Sings The Blues