The US vs. Billie Holiday

Good to know... after Ma Rainy a couple weeks ago and Bessie Smith last week..., posted on February 27, 2021 at 14:33:55
musetap Audiophile Posts: 31879 Location: San Francisco Joined: July 8, 2003 Contributor Since: January 28, 2004	I was losing the faith. That may actually have started with Diana Ross as Lady Day all those decades ago... Luckily a listen to any of their recordings resets the standard within a few minutes. Reality always trumps bios and such. "Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination"-Michael McClure

Don't read this!, posted on February 27, 2021 at 21:00:06

jedrider
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until after you've seen the movie. No use spoiling the plot.

What's Fact and What's Fiction

Won't, but reading the (typically) fluffy blurb..., posted on February 27, 2021 at 23:10:27
musetap Audiophile Posts: 31879 Location: San Francisco Joined: July 8, 2003 Contributor Since: January 28, 2004	attached to the film it seems it's a documentary. Having read her autobiography as well as much more about her I'm not expecting many surprises and watching it has slid down the list of priorities. Just as soon watch this again (and...again): View YouTube Video "Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination"-Michael McClure

It's not a documentary, posted on February 28, 2021 at 09:26:18

jedrider
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but a re-enactment of historical events with some poetic license. Truth is usually more fantastic than fiction.

It certainly capped my month long dive into black history month. What a plethora of material. It certainly changed my outlook on a lot (all the PBS series plus a few of these movies as well, taken altogether).

Thanks for the clip of Billie Holiday as it really does justice to her musical style more than the movie was capable of. This movie wasn't about music.

OH OH!..., posted on February 28, 2021 at 13:45:57

musetap
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The re-enactment thing is usually VERY unsuccessful.

I'll pass.

It's not as if Billie Holiday didn't have enough demons dogging her in a
brief, extraordinary life without the government also partaking in the
hounding.

Black artists in those years had to endure so much unnecessary pain from
the government, BEYOND typical society pains.

You familiar with NYC Cabaret Card B.S?

The body of music she left is almost unmatched in 20th Century (and beyond) art.

In the long run that is really all that matters.

IMO that clip is one of the most treasured seven minutes on film.

"Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination"-Michael McClure

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City_Cabaret_Card

+1. nt, posted on March 1, 2021 at 10:23:39
tinear Audiophile Posts: 65782 Location: Kansas City, KS Joined: April 9, 2006	d

Films/DVD Asylum

The US vs. Billie Holiday

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