Billie Holiday Documentary

Subject: Billie Holiday Documentary
From: Fiolar
Date: 01 Aug 01 - 05:49 AM

Any one watch the marvellous documentary on Billie Holiday which was transmitted on BBC television last night (July 31st)? With contributions by a numerous group of friends including Maya Angelou, Annie Ross and Alice Walker, it was a moving appreciation of a great performer who sadly was cut down much too early by her addiction to drink and drugs. She was a tough lady who unfortunately had a masochistic streak. As one of her friends said, "If there were a hundred guys in a room and one was an asshole, she'd go right to that guy." She wasn't afraid of a fight and I liked especially the anecdote regarding the two white guys who when they stubbed out their cigarettes on her fur coat, took the pair of them out to the car-park and beat the bejasus out of them. She was given the affectionate appellation "Lady Day" by one of her friends Lester Young in the 1930s. Apparently he called everybody "Lady" but hers seems to be the only one that has lasted. When she died on July 17th 1959, a grieving colleague said, "she looked like she'd been torn from life."

Subject: RE: Billie Holiday Documentary
From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler
Date: 01 Aug 01 - 05:58 AM

A lot of the images at the start of the programme were recycled from the Ken Burns Jazz series. I was catching up on KB episodes I'd taped only the night before, so some of it was deja vue. I've mentioned Dawn Hope's performance on stage as Billie earlier in the year which was excellent. This prog added quite a bit to both the Ken Burns segment and to the stage show.
RtS

Subject: RE: Billie Holiday Documentary
From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler
Date: 01 Aug 01 - 06:16 AM

The stage show I mentioned was called Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill. Catch it if it tours through your town, it has been shown on both sides of the "pond".
RtS

Subject: RE: Billie Holiday Documentary
From: LoopySanchez
Date: 01 Aug 01 - 11:47 AM

Any idea if that Billy Holliday Documentary is available for purchase from the BBC? I know in the U.S. many networks sell videos of documentaries they broadcast... Does the BBC do that as well? I'd be very interested in obtaining a copy if so.

Subject: RE: Billie Holiday Documentary
From: The Shambles
Date: 01 Aug 01 - 02:55 PM

This is where you can find out How to buy things from the BBC.

As matter of almost complete contrast, there was a programme on Shirley Bassey the same night!

I think I may have heard (early) on the radio this morning that Elkie Brooks has a new CD/tour/show called Strange Fruit? I may have dreamt that though?

Subject: RE: Billie Holiday Documentary
From: Linda Kelly
Date: 01 Aug 01 - 03:45 PM

I have always liked her music -whem I watched the documentary last night it was only then I realised how beautiful she was.

Subject: RE: Billie Holiday Documentary
From: Cappuccino
Date: 02 Aug 01 - 03:27 AM

Shambles' comparison with the Shirley Bassey documentary is a good one - I saw them both, and... well, there were some similarities, although one came out of it better!!! Annie Ross' contribution to the Billie programme was terrific, but what amazed me was the lady, whose name I didn't catch, who gad been another friend of Billie's - small dark girl, she seemed much too young to have been around at the time. Together with the great documentary series on jazz we've just had, I'm glad we get to see these things. - Ian

Subject: RE: Billie Holiday Documentary
From: Fiolar
Date: 02 Aug 01 - 08:44 AM

I think the young looking lady was Alice Walker. She would have been about 15 when Billie died.

Subject: RE: Billie Holiday Documentary
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 02 Aug 01 - 09:06 PM

A friend taped "The Long Night of Lady Day" some years ago (I haven't watched television since 1983), but I haven't watched it recently enough to tell you when it was produced and by whom and how good it is. I'll post later!

Bat Goddess

Subject: RE: Billie Holiday Documentary
From: Armen Tanzerian
Date: 02 Aug 01 - 11:15 PM

Amazing how if someone uses a still or some archival footage that Ken Burns has used it becomes "recycling" of his work. All documentarians have to work from the same pool of existant materials. Ken Burns has lots of money to pay for rights, and a stable of fine researchers, but his inclusion of a photo or piece of film doesn't make it any more his than yours or mine.

[Coincidentally, as I write this, I am listening to TSF in Paris over the Web, and they are playing a Billie piece I have never heard called When you're In Love. TSF is a GREAT radio station -- 89.9 FM in Paris -- I recommend it to anyone who loves any form of jazz, blues or gospel. I dearly wish they had something similar here in New England.]