100 Years of Lady Day

Holiday 100th

On April 7, 1915, Eleanora Fagan was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The little girl would have a difficult childhood and later a tragic life, but she would grow up to brighten the world as Billie Holiday, or as jazz saxophonist Lester Young nicknamed her, “Lady Day.”

In honor of Holiday’s 100th birthday, several articles reflect on her life, such as CBS Sunday Morning, a Daily Telegraph listing of her top 10 songs, and a MacLean‘s article about “the voice that launched a thousand voices.” But of course the best celebration is to listen to her music.

In this video, Holiday performs “Fine and Mellow” on CBS in 1957. [Update: the video and a BBC documentary about her life are no longer available.]

Happy birthday Lady Day.

What is your favorite Billie Holiday song? Leave your two cents in the comments.

  • Louis Armstrong’s Genius and “West End Blues”
  • Barbara Dane’s Cool Musical Legacy: “Wild Woman,” “Gasser,” “Hard-Hitter”
  • Charlie Haden’s “Spiritual”
  • History of Jazz Piano in One Video
  • Ella Fitzgerald: A-Tisket A-Tasket
  • Take Five Dave Brubeck

    • (Some related Chimesfreedom posts.)

    Bree Sharp Sings “David Duchovny” for David Duchovny

    David Duchovny book Actor David Duchovny recently released his novel Holy Cow, which is about a milk cow who learns about industrial farming and which one reviewer called “totally bizarre.” While promoting the book, Duchovny asked singer Bree Sharp to appear with him at a Barnes & Noble so she could sing her funny song about him.

    The song “David Duchovny” appeared on Sharp’s debut album A Cheap & Evil Girl (1999). The song is a catchy, charming, and funny tribute to Duchovny and his reign as a heartthrob during his years on the original run of The X Files during 1993-2002. In the song, Sharp pines for the TV star, asking “David Duchovny, why won’t you love me?”

    You may have forgotten how big Duchovny (as Fox Mulder) and his co-star Gillian Anderson (as Dana Scully) were during those years. But the song, and Sharp’s recent performance, will take you back. Check it out.

    If you want more on Bree Sharp, check out her website. If you want more Duchovny, in May he will start appearing on the NBC TV series Aquarius, and Fox will revive The X Files for six episodes. And that is not all. On May 12, Duchovny will release Hell Or Highwater, his first CD. He really is amazing.

    What do you think of “David Duchovny” and David Duchovny? Leave your two cents in the comments.

    (Some related Chimesfreedom posts.)

    How Marty Brown Wrote “Whatever Makes You Smile”

    Whatever Makes You Smile

    One of the many benefits we have gained from the resurgence of country singer Marty Brown has been his outstanding song “Whatever Makes You Smile.” It is one of those songs that continues to sound better each time we hear it.

    In this video with his wife Shellie Brown, Brown explains how he came to write the song, first coming up with the groove and the opening lines, and then “it was off to the races.” He wrote the song in about thirty minutes. Shellie also explains how Marty wrote it both for her and for his ailing mom. Check out the video, which also includes a live performance of the song.

    And that is the Story Behind the Song.

    Leave your two cents in the comments.

  • Marty Brown: “My Love Will Follow You”
  • Marty Brown Profiled on Episode of “Kentucky Life”
  • Marty Brown’s Video for “Gonna Make It Fly”
  • New Single from Marty Brown: “I’m Gonna Make It Fly”
  • How a Checkout Line Inspired Marty Brown’s “Love Comes Easy”
  • Marty Brown Takes a Ride on the “Love Swing”

    • (Some related Chimesfreedom posts.)

    Wiig and Galifianakis Star in Loomis Fargo Bank Robbery Film

    Loomis Robbery Movie

    Zach Galifianakis, Kristen Wiig, Owen Wilson, and Jason Sudeikis star in the upcoming movie Masterminds. The film, based on a true story, is directed by Jared Hess, who also gave us Napoleon Dynamite (2004).

    Masterminds is based on the story of a real bank robbery that happened in 1997 in Charlotte, North Carolina, where a bank supervisor stole $17 million and ran off to Mexico. It was one of the largest bank robberies in history. Check out the trailer for the upcoming comedy take on the story.

    For more about the real Loomis Fargo and Company heist, check out this video.

    Masterminds hits theaters on August 7, 2015.

    Leave your two cents in the comments.

  • Saturday Night Live’s Farewell to Kristen Wiig (video)
  • The Killers Lament Another “Christmas in L.A.”
  • “La La Land” Trailer Brings Back the Musical
  • Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt Travel Space in “Passengers”
  • Trailer for Hank Williams Biopic “I Saw the Light”
  • “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” Teaser Trailer 2

    • (Some related Chimesfreedom posts.)

    Jerry Lee Lewis and Tom Jones Rock Out

    Tom Jones Jerry Lee Lewis
    In 1969, Jerry Lee Lewis and Tom Jones ran through some of Lewis’s hits on Jones’s TV show, This Is Tom Jones. As noted in a previous post, Jones was a big fan of Lewis, and it was Lewis’s recording of “Green Green Grass of Home” that inspired Jones to do his own hit version.

    Here, the groove is more upbeat as the two run through songs that include: “Great Balls Of Fire,” “Down The Line,” “Long Tall Sally,” and “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On.”

    Additionally, the two guys look like they are having a great time. Check it out.



    Leave your two cents in the comments.

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  • Crosby, Stills, Nash, Young & . . . Tom Jones?
  • The End of Maryland’s Death Penalty and “Green, Green Grass of Home”
  • Goodness Gracious Great Balls of Fire!
  • Aretha Franklin and Tom Jones Medley (Duet of the Day)
  • Gospel Medley With Dolly Parton, Donna Summer, Tom Jones, and Mac Davis
  • Happy Birthday Little Richard!

    • (Some related Chimesfreedom posts.)