Recklessness

I didn't realise just how beautiful Billie Holiday was. This portrait is so stunning and perhaps the reason why I did not take note of her beauty is because we're always shown images of the tortured Billie Holiday; the Billie Holiday who allowed her addictions to get the better of her career and ultimately, her life. Well, I've plucked up the courage to start listening to her music again. I tried to previously but I found her songs to be quite haunting and torturous. Especially 'Strange Fruit' which spoke about the lynchings that took place in the south. Critics often say that she say out-of-tune and had a rather mediocre voice for the recognition and fame she acquired. However, there's something very emotional and raw about her music. Her voice alone takes you on an emotional roller-coaster and the lyrics of her songs are so insightful without being overly pretentious or informative. Listening to her music is a genuine emotional experience.

She was the real deal :)