A Musical Romance
gathers some of the most romantic songs
Billie Holiday
recorded with
Lester Young
, including
"The Man I Love,"
"Time on My Hands (You in My Arms),"
"I Must Have That Man,"
and
"Who Wants Love?"
Essentially a collection of some of the love songs featured on the excellent
Lady Day: The Complete Billie Holiday on Columbia (1933 - 1944)
box set,
offers a more focused -- and, arguably, easily digested -- way to explore the romantic side of her music. Though much of her work dealt with love won and lost, her collaborations with
Young
are especially lively and alluring,
"He's Funny That Way,"
"A Sailboat in the Moonlight,"
"Back in Your Own Backyard"
chief among them. A charming and concise collection,
A Fine Romance
presents some of the very best moments from
Holiday
's time together. ~ Heather Phares