Archie Shepp & Mal Waldron - Left Alone Revisited / Pure Pleasure

Mal Waldron's first tribute to Billie Holiday, titled "Left Alone," was recorded in 1959, just a few months before the singer's death. Since then, he has honored the legendary singer several times, with this recording being his last tribute,

recorded less than a year before his own death. Waldron, who worked with her during Holidays' final years, is intimately familiar with her recordings of the six standards featured on this LP, as well as her own "Lady Sings The Blues."

Archie Shepp's often somber tenor saxophone echoes the texture of Holiday's voice, but perfectly complements Waldron's lush piano. The two are also convincing with their powerful performance of "Left Alone" (Shepp's occasional squeak

of the saxophone reed seems intentional, as if to mimic the breaks in her voice). Waldron also recites Holiday's text to his composition at the end of the LP. Shepp switches to soprano saxophone for a soulful take on "Everything Happens

To Me" and "I Only Have Eyes for You," the latter song sounding as if the unheard singer is being ignored by her lover. Shepp's "Blues For 52nd Street" is both sassy and peppy. This instrumental tribute to Billie Holiday is one of the best albums

honoring her memory.

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Title

Side A

1. Easy Living

2. Nice Work If You Can Get It

3. Everything Happens To Me

Side B

1. Left Alone

2. When Your Lover Has Gone

Side C

1. I Only Have Eyes For You

2. Blues for 52nd Street

Side D

1. Porgy

2. Lady Sings The Blues

3. Left Alone (Spoken Lyrics)