Like its predecessor, RCA Victor Presents Eartha Kitt, Eartha Kitt's second album, That Bad Eartha, also released in 1953, became a Top Five hit in a year when the curiosity about this exotic creature seemed to be limitless. Although she was actually from South Carolina by way of Harlem, Kitt came across as an international chanteuse, which spending a few years in Paris, among other places, will do for you. Her recording of "C'est Si Bon (It's So Good)," included here, had reached the Top Ten in August, preceded by a minor chart entry in "Uska Dara -- A Turkish Tale" and followed by another, "I Want to Be Evil." Both were also included. In addition to French and Turkish, Kitt sang in Spanish and Swahili, which was more than enough to justify her image as a classy import. Another part of that image was her somewhat predatory sex appeal, which was explored fully in "I Want to Be Evil" and two Cole Porter favorites, "Let's Do It" and "My Heart Belongs to Daddy." Of course, there was sleight-of-hand going on there, too, but Kitt didn't suffer from having a wholly contrived persona, because she let her listeners in on the joke. It wasn't accidental that the title of the album had quotes around it. And in the same way, her relatively limited vocal range didn't matter because she acted her way through her performances as if they were short plays. The only problem, in fact, was that Kitt defined herself so well she was ultimately one-dimensional. It was not surprising when the hits dried up within a year, since she came across on records as a novelty act; but she had developed an act she could keep playing for the rest of her life. And that's exactly what she did. ~ William Ruhlmann
Eartha's 2nd LP originally released in 1953 includes 3 of her biggest hits plus 12 bonus tracks. Universe. 2006.
Recording information: Hollywood, CA (01/13/1953-12/29/1953); Manhattan Center, New York, NY (01/13/1953-12/29/1953); RCA Victor Studio #2, New York, NY (01/13/1953-12/29/1953).
Personnel: Eartha Kitt (vocals); Danny Perri, Allen Hanlon, Art Ryerson, Al Hendrickson, Noel Boggs (guitar); Frederick Buldrini, Harry Glickman, Julius Held, George Ockner, Arno Levitch, Sam Shamper, Harry Hoffman, Julius Brand, Tosha Samaroff, Eugene Orloff, Sal Spinelli, Stanley F. Kraft, Julius Schacter, Harry Katzman (violin); Calman Fleisig, Harold Furmansky, Sidney Brecher (viola); Lucien Schmit, Bernard Greenhouse (cello); Edward B. Powell (flute); Charles Magnante (accordion); Albert Klink, Herman Schertzer, Romeo Penque (clarinet, saxophone); Harold Feldman (oboe); Russell Banzer (bassoon); Henry Ross, Stanley Webb , Melvin Tax, Bernard Kaufman (saxophone); James Maxwell, Melvin "Red" Solomon, Anthony Terran (trumpet); Milt Bernhart, Roland Dupont, John d'Agostino, Pullman Pederson, Frank Saracco, William Schaffer, Robert Byrne, Warren Covington (trombone); Henry Rowland, Jack Pleis, Johnny Guarnieri (piano); Victor Piemonte (calliope); Ralph Ransell (marimba); Raymond Hunoz, Tom Romersa, Jack Saunders, Terry Snyder, Bunny Shawker (drums); Ivan Lopes (bongos).
Liner Note Author: Steve Huey.
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