Billie Poole’s second album for Riverside was an ingenious program of blues and blues-related material that made the most of the singer’s gospel roots and feeling for the jazz tradition, then as now a particularly winning blend. The repertoire moves convincingly from Bessie Smith and Big Bill Broonzy to Billie Holiday, Billy Eckstine, and Ray Charles, with stops for new songs like a pair by the gifted Norman Mapp. Poole was in exceptional company in the studio, with pianist Junior… MORE