Surrounded by exceptional musicians, Billie Holiday expresses a restrained but palpable pain that, even if it cannot be taken seriously, reveals the inner, narrative and almost biographical dimension of the words of these standards and offers the privilege of hearing them as never before, and probably never again. "Body and Soul" is a contender for the title of "best album". Small jazz ensembles have always brought out the best in Billie Holiday. Especially when they were as excellently cast as the one she had at her side on "Body And Soul", in which Ben Webster and Harry "Sweets" Edison shone as soloists. As the poet and novelist Al Young states in the album's liner notes, the two were not only gifted soloists but also sensitive accompanists. Lady Day could hardly have wished for a better band to set the jazz standards of "Body And Soul" to music. Verve Acoustic Sounds series: completely analog mastered by Ryan K. Smith at Sterling Sound from the original tapes, QPR pressing (180 g), sturdy tip-on gatefold (Stoughton Printing), padded inner sleeve.