Lara Downes - A Billie Holiday Songbook (2015) (2024)

The title A Billie Holiday Songbook on this release by the unconventional American pianist Lara Downes may refer to that of the Gershwin Song-Book for piano composed (or abstracted from his live improvisations) by George Gershwin in 1932. The Gershwin work is probably the nearest point of reference for this collection of piano arrangements of Holiday's hit songs: the textures of most of the pieces are dense, and they depart considerably from the melodies of the originals. Some of them circle back to Holiday by including little details that evoke characteristics of her singing. Really, though, the most significant presence on this album is not Holiday or Downes, but composer Jed Distler, who arranged most of the music (one piece is by jazzman Teddy Wilson and another by Marian McPartland). Distler takes the scope of the music beyond what Gershwin did, aligning the arrangements with various classical models according to the mood of the text and of Holiday's singing in each individual piece. The result, perhaps, is what might have occurred if someone had challenged Gershwin to update the so-called "ragging the classics" contests for the Jazz Age, but as things stand it's quite unusual, and it offers a lens on Holiday's achievement different from what anybody else has accomplished. A typically intriguing release from Downes.

– All Music Guide (James Mannheim)

"Possibly the most intriguing Holiday tribute may be this one by pianist Lara Downes. The adroit pianist goes solo in interpreting songs associated with the vocalist. At times she gives rococo hints of Art Tatum, other times a classica straightforwardness comes in. The tunes such as “Yesterdays” “Blue Moon” and “What A Little Moonlight Can Do” come and go before you know what happened, clocking in between 1-2 ½ minutes. Most of the tunes are concise like this, but “Strange Fruit” and “I Cover The Waterfront” are patiently drawn out, with space making wonderful sounds. A focus on the lyrical side of the Holiday Songbook that works well." -- George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly

“Downes possesses shimmering tone, expansive lyricism, attentiveness to tonal color and mood dynamics, and nimble articulation. Her interpretation is meditative, poetic, almost dreamy at times, as she appears to merge the voice of her instrument with the voice of the singer heard through the filter of Downes’ own imagination. ” — Fanfare Magazine

“Ms. Downes plays each piece lovingly, caressingly, soulfully... you have to concede that no one could do them any better. We practically hear Holiday behind the piano.” — John Puccio: Classical Candor

Tracklist:
01. Lara Downes - Roberta: Yesterdays (arr. J. Distler for piano) (2:13)
02. Lara Downes - God Bless the Child (arr. J. Distler for piano) (3:29)
03. Lara Downes - Blue Moon (arr. T. Wilson for piano) (1:16)
04. Lara Downes - Willow Weep for Me (arr. M. McPartland for piano) (3:37)
05. Lara Downes - Don't Explain (arr. J. Distler for piano) (2:57)
06. Lara Downes - Body and Soul (arr. J. Distler for piano) (2:19)
07. Lara Downes - I Don't Stand a Ghost of a Chance with You (arr. J. Distler for piano) (2:59)
08. Lara Downes - I Wished on the Moon (arr. J. Distler for piano) (2:59)
09. Lara Downes - Them Three Eyes (arr. J. Distler for piano) (3:27)
10. Lara Downes - Billie's Blues (arr. J. Distler for piano) (3:15)
11. Lara Downes - Good Morning Heartache (arr. J. Distler for piano) (2:56)
12. Lara Downes - The End of a Love Affair (arr. J. Distler for piano) (2:28)
13. Lara Downes - What a Little Moonlight Can Do (arr. J. Distler for piano) (1:29)
14. Lara Downes - Ain't Nobody's Business (arr. J. Distler for piano) (3:30)
15. Lara Downes - Strange Fruit (arr. J. Distler for piano) (4:00)
16. Lara Downes - I'll Be Seeing You (arr. J. Distler for piano) (3:38)
17. Lara Downes - Lover Man (Oh, Where Can You Be?) (arr. J. Distler for piano) (2:47)
18. Lara Downes - I'm a Fool to Want You (arr. J. Distler for piano) (3:03)
19. Lara Downes - I'll Be Around (arr. J. Distler for piano) (2:22)
20. Lara Downes - I Cover the Waterfront (arr. J. Distler for piano) (4:09)
21. Lara Downes - Solitude (arr. J. Distler for piano) (2:56)
22. Lara Downes - Road to Rio: But Beautiful (arr. J. Distler for piano) (2:43)