Classic Album Sundays, the most popular and respected classic album listening event in the world, is setting up shop in Chicago to expose your ears to some aural beauty you've never heard before. Saturday Audio Exchange, Transistor Chicago, CHIRP Radio, Dark Matter Coffee, and event organizer Sam Willett will be celebrating the legacy of Billie Holiday's Lady In Satin by listening to it in its entirety on vinyl.

Billie Holiday had a distinct signature style that transformed a song into a personal story that was convincing and believable. As Billie once said, “I hate straight singing. I have to change a tune to my own way of doing it. That’s all I know.” She brought her own story into her music.

Lady in Satin is now considered one of Billie Holiday’s greatest albums. She may have lost much of her upper range due to heroin addiction, but her delivery is infused with her experience both tragic with its abusive relationships, prison stints and drug addiction, and triumphant with her musical success. During the record sessions she drank her vodka neat, but still managed to infuse immense feeling into ‘You’ve Changed’ and ‘I Get Along Without You Very Well’.

Saturday Audio Exchange, a well-renowned Chicago independent music dealer, will be providing a custom-curated hi-fi audio system to make this experience come to life on vinyl. In attending the event, you will listen to the album as if you are watching a movie- no phones, no distractions, and complete focus on the beauty engrained in Lady In Satin. Take a look at the sound equipment Classic Album Sundays typically uses at their events here.



When the event starts, a vinyl-exclusive playlist, including artists that influenced and have been influenced by Billie Holiday will be played. Attendees should take this warm up time to take a look around Saturday, visit with our event partners, socialize with new and old friends, and drink beverages. When we have a full house, we will give attendees a ten minute warning to use to the bathroom and make any phone calls before the album starts. Then, Sam will introduce the album drop the needle. From there, your mind should be completely involved with the album and prepared for a musical adventure.