Small jazz groups brought out the best in Billie Holiday, especially groups as good as the one heard on this classic 1957 recording. Ben Webster, Harry "Sweets" Edison, and the other members of this stellar ensemble were not just gifted soloists but sensitive accompanists as well. 

 

Lady Day was rarely more ably supported than she was on this program of sturdy standards. More importantly, she rarely sounded more luminous.

 

his session comes from close to the end of the line (1959) in the erstwhile swinging company of Barney Kessel on guitar, Ben Webster on tenor, and naysayers will be quick to point out that Lady Day wasn't in peak form here. But Billie Holiday with some of the platinum chipped off the pipes is still way better than a buncha finger-snappin' wannabes anyday. Her interpretations of the title cut, "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off," and "Darn That Dream" hold you in the palm of her hand with their gentle swing and the band support here is never less than stellar.