The style of Billie’s music took a significant (and permanent) change of style in 1945, as she signed a contract with Commodore Records.

Commodore had a better relationship with Billie, recognizing her for the extraordinary talent that she was, but it also meant a departure from the 6-8 piece jazz bands that she had been used to. Billie herself not only welcomed the change but pushed hard for it. She had an understanding boss in Milt Gabler to recognize not only her desires but also her potential value.

This is where everything changes, in some ways for what they both thought was best, and in other ways for new directions that could not have been predicted.

Featured tracks:

Don’t Explain

What Is This Thing Called Love

Strange Fruit (live)

Good Morning Heartache

No Good Man

Big Stuff ( unissued version)

Baby I Don’t Cry Over You

I’ll Look Around

The Blues Are Brewin’

Guilty

Trav’lin’ Light

Deep Song

There Is No Greater Love