Any Old Time
Artie Shaw & His Orchestra; Helen Forrest Lyrics

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Any old time you want me
I am yours for just the asking, darling
Any old time you need me
I'll be there with love that's lasting, darling
All through the years, we'll stand together
Sharing the tears and stormy weather
And the sunshine will be yours and mine
Any old time you're blue

You'll have our love to chase away the blues
And any old thing you do, I'll see you through
So just remember that I am waiting, dear

If ever you want me I'll be near
Any old time and any place where you may be

Overall Meaning

Artie Shaw's song "Any Old Time" is a romantic ballad that conveys a feeling of unending love, loyalty, and devotion. The vocalist assures his beloved that she can count on him anytime she needs him, and he will always be there with an enduring love that will withstand any turbulence. In the beginning, the singer tells his lover that he will always be hers for the asking, and when she needs him, he will be there to provide a love that is reliable and lasting.

The song also promises that they will stick together through any hardship and will share both the joy and pain that life brings with it. The line "You'll have our love to chase away the blues" is a declaration of his love's power to lighten his beloved's heart and lift any sorrow from her spirit. The singer promises to support her through any decision, any old thing she does, he will see her through. The chorus repeats the refrain of the title "Any old time and any place where you may be." The song is a testimony to a love that will always be there for the one who needs it.

Line by Line Meaning

Any old time you want me
I am available for you whenever you need me

I am yours for just the asking, darling
You don't have to do anything special to have me; I am always here for you

Any old time you need me
No matter what you're going through, I am ready to be by your side

I'll be there with love that's lasting, darling
I will love you and support you for as long as you need me

All through the years, we'll stand together
We will support each other and stay together no matter what comes our way in the future

Sharing the tears and stormy weather
We will be there for each other during the hard times, even when there are things we can't control

And the sunshine will be yours and mine
We will also share joyful, happy moments together and create many happy memories

Any old time you're blue
If you're feeling sad, just know that I am here to comfort you

You'll have our love to chase away the blues
Our love for each other will help you through tough times and brighten your day

And any old thing you do, I'll see you through
No matter what you're going through or what decisions you make, I will support you

So just remember that I am waiting, dear
I will always be here for you and ready to help whenever you need me

If ever you want me I'll be near
You only need to reach out to me, and I will be there for you

Any old time and any place where you may be
It doesn't matter where you are or when you need me; I am always here for you

Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Artie Shaw

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

@Mervyn691

11y↑7

Delightful to hear Helen Forrest after a long while. So clear and reassuring. Artie Shaw is his forever best. Mervyn 691

@chriswilson3687

11y↑10

Reason is that the members of the bands were real musicians, so songs were composed or arranged to allow the instrumentalists to 'shine'. This also allowed the vocalist to get 'settled' and to enter the right swing mood.

@kennethpogwizd4713

6y↑9

I could listen to Helen sing all day!

@SillyWillyFan47

14y↑8

Ahh the wonderful era of the big band! Helen Forrest -Breezy & light!

@zeogiannes

9y↑57

I used to hear this music on the radio all the time, I really miss singers that pronounce the words clearly and who sing with good, clear, natural voices.

@sutlers2day

6y↑3

AMEN!!

@Doumbeck

4y↑3

and there was REAL melody. Not to mention lovely arrangements oh well..

@musicplaylisttimetravel6108

2y↑3

But now all we hear is mumbling and auto-tune, along with lyrics like "Uh, uh, oh yeah...". Truly a waste of talent. What is this world coming to?

@juanmanuelparadacontreras9565

11w↑1

Música de una era de gran glamour extremo que siempre será recordada.

@gloriachinea5180

Thanks So much For this Tune 💖☺️

@marilynstevenson865

5y↑3

I just adored Tony Pastor's solo..beautiful..shades of things to come!!

@JazzzzlvrFU

5y↑1

And a young Buddy Rich on drums.

@lawrencegodek8583

10y↑9

I listen to this one as well as "All the things you are" more than any other songs. Helen is the ultimate and surpasses any other of the big band singers. Oh how she is missed. Wish there were more pictures vid's of her. God i love it.

@issurchaim

10y↑18

helen and billie both did a fantastic job in their own individual styles.

@EUZELIA

Love, love, love them.🎉❤🌺🥰

@Bigband78

6y↑3

One of my favorites

@sharoncarter4086

6y↑4

Beautiful song, beautiful voice, pure class!!! 💜 love sharon xx

@hommefriday

12y↑1

Artie and Billie making this record together is a match made in heaven

@monicabella7894

32w

Smart statement.

@amc8394

45w

Maravilloso 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏

@garryburrows8987

7y↑13

beautiful helen singing & artie on the clarinet class

@artbeau

9y↑7

WOW! I have been listening to Shaw for decades now. Have been a HUGE Helen Forrest for for just a long. How is this the first time I've heard THIS version of this amazing tune. Billie Holiday is awesome with "Any Old Time", Shaw changes things up on the solo and Helen... well, she's Helen. Thank you for this!

@RCJ938

8y↑4

you have to look above the clouds to know about Helen.

@LEONARDSEED

11y↑4

I really think the swing bands helped to win the war. I love them!

@maureen1938

9y↑10

Delightful to listen to. Thanks for this lovely share.

@nicolasolmosolmos1657

11y↑7

Is it a dream that new big bands are coming ?

@markpicknell6240

Just beautiful, lovely music, lovely voice

@jeffreylancaster7571

6y↑4

I'll be in love with her forever……

Voice from Heaven!

@lilmike55912

13y

I,m tapping my feet as we speak,, I miss this kind of music

@UnaToneBjarnardottir

7y↑13

she is wonderful singer

@oscara.fernandezorellana2630

9y↑5

charming ... a legend of jazz swing

@country100ification

Me siento que no camino, voy como el pájaro buscando el firmamento para escuchar ésta voz hermosa y la orquesta en otro planeta, así me hace sentir esta música cuando la escucho.Es la mejor droga para embriagarnos sin perder el sentido.

@jimodonnell6444

6y↑1

Thanks thanks priceless

@hildabusciglio6098

7y↑6

artie shaw fue un clarinetista brillante, que buenas bandas hubo en el pasado

@gloriachinea5180

Claro y Que

@honoredutrey

12y

Fabulous

@carolenewman5180

6y↑1

So lovely.

@antoniocifuentes5495

10y↑2

Si, dejen de discutir tanto y oigan esta cadenciosa melodia tocada por el gran
Artie Shaw y cantada por la insuperable Helen Forrest.

@novelliification

8y↑4

Helen Forrest cantava muito bem tinha uma voz bonita e agradável, além de ser um "pedaço" de mulher!!!

@antoniocifuentes5495

9y↑6

I forgot to translate my comments. For those discussing about this song,
I said: Stop your discussion and hear this rhythmical melody played by
the great Artie Shaw and sung by the unsurmountable Helen Forrest.

@Mom-USMCRichardUSMCChristopher

5y↑1

Antonio Cifuentes
Replies probably are written after listening to the greatest on the clarinet and the most beautiful voice

@danvanlandingham3854

9y↑4

I have that on The Complete Artie Shaw Volume Two.Shaw cut this originally on 24 July 1938 for Bluebird with Billie Holiday.However,Holiday was under contract to the American Recording Company at the time as had Shaw.Shaw and some bandleader named Glenn Miller felt that ARC felt they weren't pushing their records so both signed with RCA.Holiday told Shaw that she was going to leave ARC.She didn't and wouldn't leave until 1942.I was of the impression that the 1938 version of this song was never issued but it was-I have it.Like the 1938 version,this has Tony Pastor on the tenor solo.By that time,Georgie Auld had assumed all the jazz work leaving Pastor to do the vocals and section work only.This was done in early 1939 according to RCA.However,I suspect it's more like late 1938 prior to Buddy Rich joining the band in December.Both Rich and Auld had been members of Bunny Berigan's band which was a sinking ship.Most of the members of that band were gone by January of '39.Shaw's band was just starting to take off after "Begin the Beguine" became an unexpected smash hit in the summer of 1938."Any Old Time" was a Shaw original with original Shaw lyrics.His usual lyricist was a former section mate of his named Art Quenzer.

@BigSleepyOx

8y↑2

+Dan VanLandingham
lol @ "... some bandleader named Glenn Miller..."
hahahaha ;)

@stutribble1710

7y↑2

KUOW Seattle had a program of big band music on Saturday nights for years. Dropped it for more talk???? I don't listen to this station anymore. Great to be able to listen to and sometimes see big band music on YouTube.

@sandraseaton9782

Talk shows have ruined it for our great radio jazz shows. I guess they could squeeze in more commercials for pillows, flower delivery, hormone pills, etc.

@UnaToneBjarnardottir

9y↑12

Billie Holliday was wonderful singer and Helen Forrest too

@carolegriggs3107

8y↑8

Heavenly !!!!!

@monicabella7894

7y↑1

Carole Griggs so true!

@ddkoda

11y↑4

I know that Artie felt that he achieved perfection or as close as he could get to perfection only during the last solo part of one of his last recordings from about 1954. Maybe it's my lack of a formal musical education but all of his performances sound so special to me I just can't figure out what imperfections he was referring to. I guess it must take a more highy trained ear than I possess to notice these things.

@15emac

10y↑8

i believe 'any old time' is the ONLY surviving shaw number with billie holiday on vocal-which is a shame.....but we DO have that ONE!!

@staffanlindstrom576

7y↑4

So enjoyable.

@vHumboldt77

13y↑1

I can't believe what I read when I see that many listeners praise Forest's rendering over Holliday's. It's clear that taste is a subjective thing! :). I've always listened to Holliday's version (at least since 1995 when I first heard it) and loved it from the very first moment I heard it. Now for the first time I listen to Forrest's. It's like a dish without salt and pepper...even the intro of Shaw's solo at 0:50 has little to do with the more natural and elegant when he accompanies Holliday...

@boyter0roger

11y↑1

A good musical education and learning to transpose keys. That's where my guitar playing started, because any sheet music I could find had these weird chords I couldn't understand, so I'd have to transpose the song into a manageable key which also fit my voice. Then I learned about a "capo" and all problems were solved, but "real" musicians were expected to do it on the fly though not in recordings. Such a shame there aren't the same brilliant reservoir of educated musicians these days.

@paulocesarmoreto8581

6y↑1

Essas músicas são verdadeiros hinos!

@vHumboldt77

11y

Forest's rendering of this classic deprives it of its punch...Holliday rules!!!

@waynebrasler

13y

Bblegacy, you have it right, I did have it backwards. I was mis-remembering a conversation with Helen Forrest. By the way, I was surprised to learn how rough she had it with all the bands she worked with, particularly Benny Goodman making her sit voiceless on the bandstand for a month after she was replaced, WITH HER REPLACEMENT NEXT TO HER SINGING EVERY NIGHT. The replacement hated it as much as Forrest did. The replacement was some girl named Peggy something (smile).

@williamengfer2504

4y↑1

I used to think Billie Holiday had no peer when it came to singing this song, but listening to both girls now, I feel Helen sounds just as good.

@bellini7verdi

13y

fabulosaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

@carlospanch6789

10y↑3

Artie Shaw- Billie Holiday, Any old time 1939.
Billie Holiday. The Sound of Jazz.

@waldolydecker8118

48w↑1

1938

@fromthesidelines

12y↑1

Billie was under contract to Brunswick in 1938; Decca signed her in 1944.

@bblegacy

13y↑1

@waynebrasler No, you have it backwards. Artie wrote the tune and the arrangement for Billie in 1937 trying to entice her to join the band that winter. She finally did join the band in March 1938 and the first commercial recording of AOT was made on 7/24/38 at Artie's first Bluebird session which was also the legendary Begin the Beguine session. It was the only vocal recorded with AS by Billie because she was already under contract to Decca, something that was originally overlooked.

@blackandtanful

13y

このﾃﾝﾎﾟ､このユッタリ感､ﾊﾟｽｸ･ｱﾒﾘｶｰﾅ～優雅なｱｰﾃｨｰ･ｼｮｳ楽団､ﾌﾛﾝﾄ､名花ﾍﾚﾝ･ﾌｫﾚｽﾄの声偉大なｼﾞｬｽﾞﾏﾝ #jazzm

@wanawara111

13y

Великолепное звучание оркестра. Сам Арти - бесподобен!!

@honeymoema

Maravilhoso!!!

@The-Friendly-Grizzly

12y

I believe that anyone who has a good singing voice has been given the grand prize by Mother Nature, God, or whatever your beliefs may be. If I could sing well, I would sing a lot. Even though I have little range and no practice, I sing along with a lot of the music of that ear.

@ianblakesley3349

11y↑8

Helen Forrest was a very fine singer, who could interpret any song and give it her own distinctive trademark. However, I believe, in this instance, Billie Holiday has the edge. Lady Day's fragility was present early on, which comes over (to me) in her version of "Any Old Time". We will debate this for ever, I suspect.

@sandraseaton9782

5y↑4

Each has her own individual style. So happy we can enjoy them both!

@rjwintl

just remember that , on the other side , I got the first dance with Helen !!!

@larrywagner6986

40w

I’ve listened to Artie Shaws recording a Million Times of this Gem and have always preferred Billie Hollidays version but I have to say Helen does a very good version as well !

@RCJ938

7y↑3

there is only one combo Artie Shaw and Helen Forest

@cade9409

Cesar Rego Nah Harry James and Helen Forrest

@cannonballblues

11y

Thank you......sounds similar to my favorite clarinet-group OK-Dreamband. CD "Clarinet-Dreams" is available for download (iTunes, amazon).

@larrypanus2385

Chred Camdburghernher said he enjoyed it back in time.

@wanawara111

11y

Великая Хелен......Гений Арти.....Что может быть прекрасней, ..Хотя Бени Гутман с Пегги Ли тоже восхищают своим гением.

@albertwgray

11y↑4

arranged by Jerry Gray and Artie shaw

@jorgenrasmussen8568

5y↑1

Here's an interesting comparison. After listening to this go to the recording of Shaw with a Holiday vocal. (So early that the label says "Art Shaw" and "Billy Holiday." The greatest big band vocalist and the greatest jazz vocalist. Which do you prefer and why?

@49kasey

11y↑1

Also, they would change keys right at the moment the singer would come in. I'd like to know how they pulled that off!

@jeffreylancaster7571

5y↑6

The band called her "one take Helen" because it that's all it took her to record the perfect rendition of a song.
Today's lip synchers have no clue!

@EUZELIA

5y↑1

Helen Forrest is singing this song.

@EUZELIA

Love ❤️

@shaunaleightaylor1966

MARTINI MUSIC: Show #130 TONIGHT 6-8pm on #HuntersBayRadio, The Bay 88.7FM. Join award-winning host, 93.9-year-old ET, Ethel Goodman Taylor every SUNDAY. From VIC DAMONE to Harry Connick Jr, Ella Fitzgerald to Sy Smith, & Glenn Miller to Chris Botti, ET airs smooth sounds & romantic songs to audiences 1-100 yrs old. MARTINI MUSIC is produced by Jamie Oppenheimer (Host of LYRICAL WORKERS). More at: https://muskokaradio.com/show/martinimusic
#TheresOnlyOne HuntersBayRadio.com #WeAreMuskoka #OldestRadioHost #MartiniMusicWithET

#VicDamone #ChrisBotti #GlennMiller #EllaFitzgerald #SySmith #ArtieShaw #HarryJames #BennyGoodman #SteveAndEydie #EydieGorme #LenaHorne #DorisDay #TonyBennett #SammyDavisJr #PerryComo #PeterAppleyard #JudyGarland #DickHaymes #HelenForrest #VeraLynn #AndrewsSisters #FrankSinatra

@jourwalis-8875

5y↑1

Nice pictures. A pity that they are not moving...

@bblegacy

13y

The tempo on the later version is slightly faster than the original record. I like the original record better because I like the way Billie handled the vocal more than the way Helen did on the remake, and more because on the original - taken at the slower tempo - the band sounds like it digs into the beat a bit deeper and it feels a little more "earthy" and not so glossy and polished. The later version sounds like a 1-off last take to wind up a recording session with something easy and familiar.

@ninnutsamorbedadze9883

11y

Все, что здесь сказано, это правда. Все в своем роде великие, и певцы и певицы и музыканты. Пегги Ли пришла в оркестр Бенни Гудмана после того, как Хелен Форрест покинула его и перешла к Харри Джеймсу, но вряд ли она была бы популярнее какою она была в оркестре Арти Шо.Это правда был гениий и достойный соперник Бенни Гудмана за звание Короля Свинга.

@monicabella7894

32w

Lady Day

@julieshepherd1476

5y↑1

So sad all those years that Shaw just gave it up from playing. Who’s knows how many more hits he would have produced!!

@konidolfine

13y

@annanoli Yes, I can agree with your indication.

@waynebrasler

13y

Yes, we all remember the fabulous Billie Holiday recording. But I believe indeed the arrangement was written for Forrest. The vocal interpretations are very close, though Forrest's breath control and long lines far exceeds anything Holiday ever did. Both singers, of course, are legends and genuises and beyond that it's fruitless to try to determine who did the song better. I believe Helen and Artie did indeed have a relationship.

@waldolydecker8118

48w

You sound irrational. What is the basis of your claimed "belief" that the arrangement was "indeed" written for Forrest? Did you pull this from your rear end? lol The arrangement is the same arrangement written for Holiday's recording 9 months earlier, so how could it have been "written for Forrest?" Totally makes no sense, dude.

@vHumboldt77

13y

@MrRJDB1969 - thanks for the comment. As you say, its a subjective and "taste" thing". But, quite coincidentally, what you mention from the technical standpoint (which I'm not at all denying :) is what makes me like much more Hollyda'ys version. It's a "real" one ;)

@MrRJDB1969

13y

@vHumboldt77 : I have both versions of "ANY OLD TIME", but I'm a Helen Forrest fan at heart. I respect your appreciation for Bille Holliday and it is a "taste" thing. I can say for myself, that Helen Forrest had more control over her use of vibrato, it was even and consistent . Helen's tone was fresh and light , where Billie's tone was very "nasally" , sometimes flat or off key , & her vibrato wasn't solid or consistent . I'm a vocalist & musician myself, so I hear things on a different level.

@5BGVO4

12y

many of these 'Big Band' songs didn't have the vocal part come in until way into the song. I'd like to know why this was done.

@davidreidenberg9941

Ross Ewage because the band was the main attraction.

@annanoli

13y

Just listen at the final phrase of the vocal! "where you may be " Helen tries to copy the same relaxed syncopation Billie does. Usually she swings differently.

@MrRJDB1969

13y

@vHumboldt77 : I believe that Helen Forrest's singing is "real" as well and I suppose it's up to the listener to determine what is real or isn't real to themselves. I understand where you are coming from though. To each their own.

@MrRJDB1969

13y

@alemelech : I agree.

@MrRJDB1969

12y

Meaning ?

@annanoli

14y

do somebody remembers that the other version was sung by Billie Holiday? in my opinion Helen here tries to get inspiration from Lady Day. Helen is always well in tempo,this time she broadens the lyrics a bit, then at 2:32 she tries to make the same syncopation as Billie... I love Helen any way,too.

@15emac

10y↑5

helen had a THING 4 harry james although artie might have scored......

@wbnr97.7

10y

hehehehe

Really?

@bigeman25

4y↑1

She did a great job singing this great old song. I believe Billie Holidays' rendition is just a little better. This is my opinion only.

@hommefriday

12y

Some people do talk rubbish!

@Timlinthomasp

10y↑15

Why is everything a damned contest on the internet? Just enjoy it.

@MOGGS1942

9y↑1

***** Keyboard warriors flexing their muscles. Lol.

@MrRJDB1969

13y

@valdengo1 : I agree. Helen's vibrato was even & consistent and her tone was "fresh" sounding & always right on key. Billie, though I like her singing too, seemed to go flat or off key at times, with a very "nasally" tone . I do notice Billie's recordings being used in some of today's movies, where they ignore Helen's, but Helen was the star of the 1940's & not Billie. I think todays political correctness plays apart in the Billie Holliday popularity, but its not based strictly on talent.

@robertogarcia2223

It is possible that Billie was not the "star" because she was black and in those times it was not something that... favored her. Artie had several problems for Billie and for admitting her in the band, highly unfortunately (stupid racism!).
Undoubtedly Helen was the owner of a beautiful and firm voice and Billie was not so much, but the origins and learning and vocal training were different

@sandraseaton9782

Helen was great, but Billie had an emotional and searing quality to her singing. She captured a mood like no one else, so it makes sense that she would be used in film. It wasn't Billie Holiday's technical expertise that made her so popular. She was able to conjure up a whole world in her singing. She could establish a mood and keep it there like no one else. In her singing she tells the African American jazz story that comes straight from Louis Armstrong. She said she wanted to use her voice the way Louis used his trumpet and she did.

@waldolydecker8118

48w

You are a ball-faced liar. It was "political correctness" that benefited the unknown Helen Forrest's career and got her the job with Shaw. If it wasn't for blatant racism and widespread national segregation laws and practices that existed in 1938, the unknown Forrest would have never been hired by Shaw. White bands hiring blacks and performing publicly across America was ILLEGAL in 1938. Forrest, like white Americans in all walks of life, benefited immensely from this practice. Its no different than the white guy that previously had Willie Mays' job in center field for the New York Giants. Mays didn't replace the white guy because of "political correctness," he replaced him because he was 10 times better than the white guy. On merit, the white player should have never had the job in the first place, as at least a dozen Negro League players, including Mays, were better.

Helen Forrest was "the star of the 1940's" because only someone who looked like her could be "the star" in 1940 - a tainted achievement at best under such restrictions. The reason Helen Forrest's recording is not used in some of today's movies, as you complain about, is that, with those 1940's racial restrictions no longer in play today, the "true star" between the two singers is naturally going to be recognize today, even if it wasn't recognized in 1940. In retrospect, 1940's racial restrictions allowed Forrest to achieve work, recognition, and remuneration that Holiday never had access to - but the record is clear when it comes to evaluating which of the two singers was most influential, most impactful, and more consequential to American music. Its a "no contest" comparison. Sure, Forrest sold more records, made more money, and enjoyed more access, freedom, and civil rights during her performing career, but no sane, knowledgeable musicologist would try to claim Forrest's singing had more impact on American musicians or American music. THIS is why today's movies use the Billie Holiday tune, and not Forrest's version...has nothing to do with "political correctness" or any other lame reason you proffer.

@jakablaszlo701

10y

How can anybody compare Billie H to Helen Forrest
sure both talented singers,But i still think Helen had better style!

@drewsagar2634

10y↑5

The comparison is to the their fine voices not the unfortunate fact of drug addiction

@jakablaszlo701

10y

Drew Sagar You right i was wrong i apologize.

@cdiggs7319

10y

Jakab Laszlo I kind of agree with you, Jakab, I mean as far as Helen Forrest's voice and Billie Holliday's voice, I think they cannot compare. Billie Holliday was, obviously, very popular, but she didn't seem to have much of a voice RANGE. She did have a style of her own, but I don't care for her timbre or her phrasing (behind the beat). Her voice was also raspy at times, which some folks like, but I don't. That's just my opinion and I respect those who disagree. Personally, I think Doris Day has the most pleasing female voice I have ever heard.

@jknutbens

9y↑2

I can compare billie to helen any day of the year. Helen had a sweet voice billie had soul and sang from an inner anguish you and I cannot understand. As for being a drug addict she was for awhile but you might want to walk a mile in her shoes before you start denigrating her.

@cdiggs7319

9y↑1

jknutbens Yes, that's right. We should support one another, rather than judge. It's okay, though, to express our personal preferences about music and other art forms. Both Billie and Helen had much to offer, voices that touched the hearts of many people.

3 More Replies...

@Qardanik

12y

Anyone who can sing, or has a loved one who sings, must make a recording. My mother is gone and there are no tapes of her singing. The best I can do is search for someone whose voice is similar. Helen Forrest comes relatively close. Actually my mom sang better and sweeter.

@vHumboldt77

13y

@valdengo1 - I like Helen Forrest but her rendering of this song is in my view "n" times better than Forrest's. Forest lacks the strength, soul and spice that Holliday put to this song.

@tigerpaulschubert6416

9y↑1

its 2014 not 1934 tv has been invented show film clips not these washed up records with photos real videos PLEASE !!

@valdengo1

13y↑1

..Billie had an unstable, rough artificial vibrato and lacked the smoothness and quality of Helen Forrest

@waldolydecker8118

48w

Unfortunately, nobody gave a fugg about that, lol. All that "perfect textbook" way to do things is for dummies like yourself to be preoccupied with. At the end of the day, that crap doesn't matter. Its like the guy in baseball who has a batting stance that no coach would teach; yet the MF hit 500 home runs and had a career .310 avg. Stupid guys like yourself would get fired trying to make him have a "textbook" stance. Holiday's voice and approach is what made her more influential, consequential, and impactful than Forrest. Forrest merely made more money and got more contemporaneous recognition, but years later after its all said and done, no bona fide nationally known musicologist rates Forrest anywhere near Holiday in importance. Just goes to show you what all that "smoothness and quality" amount to at the end of the day - its just like the perfect batting stance or pitching delivery - it don't mean shit.

@ahleutea

"The female singer" in the Billie's psudo-autobiography by fuckin' Will Duffty proved not to be Helen. Helen was a great and irreputable "jazz singer." Billie was too modern, though.