East Of The Sun (West Of The Moon) - Billie Holiday
"East of the Sun (West of the Moon)" is a classic jazz standard performed by the legendary Billie Holiday. The song was written by Brooks Bowman in 1934 and has since been covered by numerous artists. The theme of the song revolves around longing and distance, as the lyrics describe a lover who is far away but still holds a special place in the singer's heart. The title itself suggests a sense of impossibility and unattainability, as the sun and moon are always in opposite directions. Billie Holiday's rendition of the song is characterized by her signature soulful and emotive vocal delivery. Her phrasing and interpretation of the lyrics capture the bittersweet essence of the song, evoking a sense of melancholy and yearning. The composition of "East of the Sun (West of the Moon)" features a lush and dreamy melody, with a slow tempo and a smooth, flowing rhythm. The song is typically performed in a jazz ballad style, with subtle instrumental accompaniment that allows Holiday's vocals to take center stage. Overall, "East of the Sun (West of the Moon)" is a timeless jazz standard that showcases Billie Holiday's unparalleled talent as a vocalist. Its poignant lyrics and haunting melody make it a standout track in her discography, and a beloved classic among jazz fans.
Billie Holiday
Billie Holiday, born Eleanora Fagan, was an American jazz singer and songwriter who is widely regarded as one of the greatest vocalists of all time. She was born on April 7, 1915, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. Holiday had a difficult childhood, growing up in poverty and facing numerous challenges, including sexual abuse and time spent in juvenile detention. Despite her troubled upbringing, Holiday found solace in music and began singing in clubs in Harlem, New York, in the late 1920s. She quickly gained attention for her unique voice, which was both soulful and expressive, and her ability to convey deep emotion in her performances. Holiday's early influences included jazz legends such as Louis Armstrong and Bessie Smith, but she soon developed her own distinctive style, characterized by her innovative phrasing and intimate delivery. In the 1930s, Holiday began recording with some of the biggest names in jazz, including Benny Goodman and Teddy Wilson. She scored her first major hit in 1939 with "Strange Fruit," a powerful protest song about lynching in the American South. The song became a signature piece for Holiday and solidified her reputation as a fearless and uncompromising artist. Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, Holiday continued to record and perform, despite battling personal demons and legal troubles. She struggled with addiction and faced racism and discrimination in both her personal and professional life. Despite these challenges, Holiday continued to produce groundbreaking music, including the iconic albums "Lady in Satin" and "Lady Sings the Blues." Holiday's impact on music cannot be overstated. She was a trailblazer for female vocalists in jazz and a pioneer in the art of vocal improvisation. Her raw, honest approach to singing influenced generations of musicians, from jazz legends like Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan to modern-day artists such as Amy Winehouse and Norah Jones. Holiday's ability to convey deep emotion and tell a story through her music set her apart from her peers and earned her a place in the pantheon of music legends. Billie Holiday died on July 17, 1959, at the age of 44, but her legacy lives on. Her music continues to inspire and move audiences around the world, and her story serves as a testament to the power of music to transcend adversity and speak to the human experience. Billie Holiday will always be remembered as a true original and a timeless voice in the history of jazz.