Girl group alumna
Priscilla Paris may not seem the logical candidate to record a collection of jazz standards identified with
Billie Holiday, but listen closer to the
Paris Sisters' records and beneath her breathy vocals exists a potent undercurrent of loneliness and loss.
Priscilla Loves Billy does real justice to
Holiday's spirit and brilliance, largely because
Paris doesn't even attempt to match the matchless; instead, she favors the kind of light, airy pop arrangements that serve her best, teaming with arrangers Sid Feller and Don Peake to create a sweetly romantic record informed by genuine pathos and poignancy. ~ Jason Ankeny