Purrrrrrrrrrrrr...............
The memories of Eartha Kitt can be traced to having a 45 rpm record of hers,
when I was a child ("Two Lovers"), and to many others, her incredible
portrayal of Catwoman on the Batman TV series would be the most memorable.
But what many do not know, is that she had a music career, and probably her
most famous song most can remember is her Christmas classic, "Santa Baby,"
originally recorded in 1953. She would record a new version, "This Year's
Santa Baby," a year later, and a new version of "Santa Baby" in 1960.
Germany's Bear Family Records released a complete box set of Kitt's music
in 1993 -- Eartha Quake, a 5-disc journey of easy listening, jazz, and
spanish tunes, spanning her career from the early 1950s to early 1960s. Her
voice, whether it be singing or spoken, is unmistakable, sultry, sexy,
mysterious, captivating...
132 songs are captured in this box set, and each song created a distinct
sound for Kitt, whether it be the sultry spoken voice in "I Want To Be Evil"
(1953 version), sexy and sultry jazz in "C'est Si Bon" (1953 version),
or great spanish music heard in "Uska Dara" (1953 version) and "Avril
Au Portugal (April In Portugal)". Her 1959 version of "Tierra Va Temblar"
could have been a song included in the soundtrack of West Side Story.
In listening to various tunes, it is easy to see how Madonna could be
inspired by Eartha Kitt, where Madonna had recorded spanish-type songs in the
peak of her career. (Madonna would also record her own version of "Santa
Baby.") You could also picture Madonna singing "My Heart Belongs To
Daddy" as you listen to Eartha Kitt's version.
Easy Listening lovers will enjoy "Under The Bridges Of Paris,"
likewise "Let's Do It" (1953 version), and "I've Got That Lovin' Bug
Itch." (In fact, Disc 5 has many Easy Listening similarities.) Harry
Belafonte fans will enjoy "Somebody Bad Stole De Wedding Bell," "Yellow
Bird," "Jambo Hippopotami" Mambo music is heard on "Mambo De Paree,"
as there are many mambo related songs in this collection. "Oggere"
(very impressive) and "No Importa Si Menti" could even pass as slow
Reggae tunes. Kirsty Maccoll's "Who Wears These Shoes" on "Put More
Wood On The Fire." The Big Band/Jazz sound are excellent on songs such as
"My Heart's Delight," "Take My Love Take My Love" and "Careless Love."
Great R&B as in Lavern Baker is heard on "A Woman Wouldn't Be A Woman."
Likewise good R&B/Jazz on the "Blues" series: "Beale Street Blues,"
"Hesitation Blues," "The Memphis Blues," "Atlanta Blues," "Friendless
Blues," "Yellow Dog Blues," "Chantez Les Bas," "St. Louis Blues," and
"Long Gone." An incredible gospel sound is heard on "Steal Away,"
likewise the good ol' religion is heard on "Hist The Window Noah."
There are songs having Eartha Kitt sings so sexy and sultry, she could be
compared to Marilyn Monroe's sultry songs: "Looking For A Boy" and
"Lonely Girl" have a great jazz accompanient, and Kitt's voice just
purrrs like a kitten.
Easy Listening, Rhythm & Blues, Jazz, Spanish, Mambo, Gospel -- It's all
here in this great retrospective of Eartha Kitt's music. Bear Family Records
have truly defined each artist/group they have presented by featuring EVERY
recorded item they ever recorded. Eartha Kitt's voice is favorable on many
songs, and of course, some songs are better than others. There maybe smaller
greatest hits compilations, but Eartha Quake captures everything, with
all different musical styles, and in the end, it is amazing how much recorded
music she had in less than a decade.
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