Pearl Bailey - Pearl Bailey: Takes Two To Tango - Her 26 Finest, 1944-1953

The larger-than-life personality of Pearl Bailey (1918- 1990) is celebrated in this gloriously entertaining compilation of her best recordings, the finest of her available CDs. With her centenary falling this year, the African-American entertainer is fondly remembered for her zestful individuality on record, stage and screen. She was a Broadway hit in such as St. Louis Woman and the all-black Hello, Dolly! and hosted her own popular TV series, and among her many films were Carmen Jones and Porgy And Bess. The risqu� Takes Two To Tango was Pearl Bailey�s biggest record success, and the top ten hit is also the title of Retrospective�s compilation of her very best recordings; from 1944 when she sang with Cootie Williams� band (Tess� Torch Song), through to 1953 when her musical arranger was Don Redman (As Long As I Live�). In fact the jazz influence is strong and the many fine jazz musicians featured include the likes of Taft Jordan and Charlie Shavers. Pearl�s bouncy personality is very much to the fore in a number of engaging duets with Frank Sinatra (A Little Learning Is A Dangerous Thing), Hot Lips Page (Baby, It�s Cold Outside�) and Moms Mabley (Saturday Night Fish Fry).