1944 in Music

Music reviews for music released in 1944.

1. Béla Bartók: Sonata for Solo Violin (10/10)

This is everything I love about his chamber music. It is daring and difficult (for its time) and just an inventive joy. One of the great violin showcases of the first half of the 20th century I think. It’s just wonderful.

2. Billie Holiday: “Billie’s Blues” (8/10)

This is more of an upbeat blues than her usual stuff, with an extremely stripped down arrangement (a trio backs her). It’s relatively feminist, lyrically (she wrote them).

3. Billie Holiday: “Lover Man (Oh, Where Can You Be?)”

This is a heavily orchestrated ballad. You can really hear her skill for phrasing in this one.

Benny Carter and His Orchestra: “I Can’t Escape From You”/”I Can’t Get Started” (???/10)

Benny Carter and His Orchestra: “Poinciana” (???/10)

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