Lady Sings the Blues | ||||
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Soundtrack album by | ||||
Released | October 1972 | |||
Recorded | 1972; MoWest Studios, Los Angeles, California; Glen Glenn Sound, Hollywood, California | |||
Genre | R&B, vocal jazz | |||
Length | 57:10 | |||
Label | Motown M 758-D | |||
Producer | Gil Askey | |||
Diana Ross chronology | ||||
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Singles from Lady Sings the Blues | ||||
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Lady Sings the Blues is the soundtrack to the Billie Holiday biopic of the same name, which starred Diana Ross in her 1972 screen debut. It became Ross' first #1 album (eventually selling over 2 million US copies), though the only one as a solo artist. It was certified gold in the UK for sales of over 100,000 copies. [1] It was the fourth best-selling R&B album and fifth best-selling Pop album of 1973 in the US.
Music writers said Ross emulated Billie Holiday's voice while retaining her own individual sound. This soundtrack album was the only Motown album to have a special designed label to match the album cover on the vinyl release, rather than Motown's usual "Map of Detroit" design. This label design would also turn up on the single releases from the soundtrack.
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
Allmusic | link |
Christgau's Record Guide | B+ [2] |
Chart (1973) | Peak position |
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Australia (Kent Music Report) [3] | 43 |
Canada Top Albums/CDs ( RPM ) [4] | 5 |
UK Albums (OCC) [5] | 50 |
US Billboard 200 [6] | 1 |
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) [7] | 2 |
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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United Kingdom (BPI) [8] | Gold | 100,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
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Lady Sings the Blues is a 1972 American biographical musical drama film directed by Sidney J. Furie about jazz singer Billie Holiday, loosely based on her 1956 autobiography which, in turn, took its title from Holiday's song. It was produced by Motown Productions for Paramount Pictures. Diana Ross, in her feature film debut, portrayed Holiday, alongside a cast including Billy Dee Williams, Richard Pryor, James T. Callahan, and Scatman Crothers. The film was nominated for five Academy Awards in 1973, including Best Actress for Diana Ross.
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