Last Recording

by Billie Holiday

Released: September 06, 1959

Vocal jazz

The Album

Her last album serves as poignant testimony to her enduring talent in spite of her struggle with substance abuse and difficult personal life. "Last Recording", originally titled "Billie Holiday before Time Began", is the final studio album by the iconic jazz singer Billie Holiday released posthumously in 1959. It consists of her last studio recordings and was initially released on Broadway-Charlie Parker Records.

Inside the Recording

It was produced by Irving Townsend and engineered by Fred Plaut. The album was recorded in March 1959, just a few months before Holiday's death in July 1959.

Stories and details

Interesting Facts

Interestingly, while the album was Holiday's last, it…

Interestingly, while the album was Holiday's last, it was her first stereo recording.

The album includes twelve songs that showcase Holiday's…

The album includes twelve songs that showcase Holiday's signature emotive style, featuring songs like "All the Way", "Deed I Do", and "They Can't Take That Away From Me".

Billie Holiday, born Eleanora Fagan, was a distinctive…

Billie Holiday, born Eleanora Fagan, was a distinctive and influential jazz vocalist, known for her expressive, deeply emotional singing style.

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Explore the Album

Billie Holiday - Last Recording

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Legacy

Considered one of the best jazz vocalists of all time, Holiday's music continues to be celebrated even today.

Full background

The Complete Album Story

"Last Recording", originally titled "Billie Holiday before Time Began", is the final studio album by the iconic jazz singer Billie Holiday released posthumously in 1959. It was produced by Irving Townsend and engineered by Fred Plaut. The album was recorded in March 1959, just a few months before Holiday's death in July 1959. It consists of her last studio recordings and was initially released on Broadway-Charlie Parker Records.

Interestingly, while the album was Holiday's last, it was her first stereo recording. The album includes twelve songs that showcase Holiday's signature emotive style, featuring songs like "All the Way", "Deed I Do", and "They Can't Take That Away From Me".

Billie Holiday, born Eleanora Fagan, was a distinctive and influential jazz vocalist, known for her expressive, deeply emotional singing style. Considered one of the best jazz vocalists of all time, Holiday's music continues to be celebrated even today. Her last album serves as poignant testimony to her enduring talent in spite of her struggle with substance abuse and difficult personal life.