SwingDJs

I really enjoy Billie Holiday, but most of the songs I have are very, very slow (think 65BPM). So, I'd like some help in creating a list of faster Billie Holiday songs, say, about 150 and up.

Here's what I've got (almost all come from the budget Golden Greats set):

"It's a Sin to Tell a Lie" (150)
"Wherever You Are" (150)
"Them There Eyes" (155)
"I Cried for You" (160)
"Me, Myself, and I" (160)
"Miss Brown to You" (160)
"Now or Never" (160)
"Romance in the Dark" (160)
"I Hear Music" (165)
"Sugar (That Sugar Baby of Mine)" (175)
"Riffin' the Scotch" (185)
"When You're Smiling" (190).

What A Little Moonlight Can Do (one billion bpm) (several versions)

unbelievably awesome song. one of my favorites.

Quinessential Billie vol 1, also vol 2, has fast stuff I don't have the BPMs handy (I am at my day job) but all the following are over 170:

It's too hot for words
What a night, what a moon, what a girl
Yankee Doodle never went to town
Your mother's son in law

And my favorites are:

Spreading Rhythm Around
Life begins when you're in love

I have always been partial to "A Fine Romance" off of "Billie's Best."

"Me, Myself & I" is another favorite; I don't think there's a funky mood that can't be brightened by a good Lady Day song.

Kalman

"Swing Brother Swing!" off of Lady Day Swings is a nice, fast version of the song.

Doug wrote:Quinessential Billie vol 1, also vol 2, has fast stuff I don't have the BPMs handy (I am at my day job) but all the following are over 170:

It's too hot for words
What a night, what a moon, what a girl
Yankee Doodle never went to town
Your mother's son in law

And my favorites are:

Spreading Rhythm Around
Life begins when you're in love

Spreading Rhythm Around is perhaps my favorite Billie fast song.

"PLease Keep Me In Your Dreams"
"I've Got My Love to keep Me Warm"
"I'm Gonna Lock My Heart and Throw Away the Key"

Does anyone know anything about Jeepers Creepers: The Ultimate Lady Day Best Songs? It's coming out in a few weeks, issued by Birdland (in Australia, it seems), and I'm guessing that something called Jeepers Creepers might not be filled with all the slow ballads. Unfortunately, I haven't turned up a track listing yet.

Billie Holiday - All or Nothing at All

I heard Billie Holiday's version of "One for the Road" on WWOZ when I was in New Orleans and wanted to find a copy; ended up getting the above 2 CD set [looking on allmusic this seemed the most interesting buy for me].

While I'm not a great fan of the first CD for Dj'ing, the 2nd CD is awesome - for both lindy hop and blues dancing. "But Not for Me" is a nice mid-tempo swinging version. Ben Webster and Harry "Sweets" Edison are in the band that backs her up and there is also a nice instrumental on CD 2 [which was released as the album 'Body and Soul'].

Check it out.

My favorite Bille Holiday midtempo song is "Lets do it".

Your Mother's Son-In-Law 194bpm - there are quite a few versions around. I love a little uptempo Holiday action.