Fine and Mellow (song)
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Fine and Mellow is a song most associated with Billie Holiday who first sang it in 1939. It is something of a lament about a boyfriend's behavior as is common for the singer. A well-known rendition by her in 1957 is notable as a musical reunion with Lester Young.[1] During this famous recording, Lester Young was suffering the ill effects of cancer, yet still found the strength to stand up and play one of the most beautiful solo's in jazz history.
The song has been covered several times, sometimes with a change in lyrics or emphasis. For example Lou Rawls switched the gender to a girlfriend[2] and Eva Cassidy sang it in a defiant tone. Notable cover versions were sung by Nina Simone (on the 1959 At Town Hall) and Ella Fitzgerald's.
