Customer Reviews

Sings Songs for / More Songs for Adults

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This combines two of Pearl Bailey's best albums together. Although these albums are titled adult, they're pretty clean. I mean she sang Cole Porter. Pearl had an unique style, probably one of the reasons why she isn't given the praise she deserves. She growls, she laughs in her songs, this isn't the usual jazz singing. But that doesn't mean she wasn't up to the others. She was a fine interrupter. She sings the ultimate version of Love for Sale here, really getting into the lyrics here. With this reissue, Pearl is slowly getting the the praise she deserves.

Sings Songs for Adults//More Songs for Adults has all the songs from two of Pearl Bailey's greatest record albums entitled Pearl Bailey Sings Songs For Adults and Pearl Bailey Sings More Songs For Adults. As another reviewer correctly notes this CD isn't "dirty" even though they describe these songs as being geared for an "adult" crowd. The quality of the sound is really very good and the liner insert nicely replicates the front and back covers of each record album.

The CD begins with Pearl belting out "She Had To Go And Lose It At The Astor." The lyrics are obviously very suggestive--and funny, too! Pearl never misses a beat which makes the comedic effect even better--you'll love this tune. "She Had To Go And Lose It At The Astor" is certainly quite a way to start the album! "To Keep My Love Alive" has a lovely musical arrangement and when Pearl sings this she uses her uncanny sense of timing to make "To Keep My Love Alive" a memorable number. The late Lorenz Hart would have been so proud! Pearl's delivery is flawless, too. Pearl also performs a very 1950s "Vegas" style interpretation of "Lets Do It (Let's Fall In Love)." "Lets Do It (Let's Fall In Love)" has always been one of my favorite classic pop tunes and I really like this number. Similarly, "Legalize My Name" is another stunning number when Pearl sings it; she could perform alongside the best of them! "Legalize My Name" is another suggestive tune packed full of fun and Pearl makes it even better with her excellent treatment of this song. You'll also like "You Can Be Replaced;" this tune about a tough woman who's fully in control of her life is both enjoyable and playful without being rude or bawdy.

Amongst the songs that come from Pearl Bailey Sings More Songs For Adults, we first get the incredible "Westport." "Westport" is again a suggestive tune that describes an "unhappy tale" of a couple that breaks up after the wife cheats on her husband. Pearl belts this out better than most any "celebrity" could ever do; and that's grand. "There's A Little Bit Of Bad In Every Good Little Girl" would be a song for the great Mae West to sing and we'd all laugh--and you'll laugh when you hear Pearl sing this one. Pearl does this one up right! "Love For Sale" gets the royal treatment from this marvelous chanteuse; and I really enjoy hearing Pearl singing "One Man (Ain't Quite Enough)." "One Man (Ain't Quite Enough)" is yet another playful tune that won't offend a soul and the music fits in just right with Pearl's vocals. Great! "Nobody's Chasing Me" has a big band style musical arrangement but it never interferes with Pearl's ability to stay in the spotlight--and that's quite all right by me! "Nobody's Chasing Me" is somewhat melancholy but Pearl's interpretation tells us it's all in good fun. She's not about to pour water on the fire anytime soon! "Show Me Love" ends the CD strong with Pearl Bailey outdoing even herself. Wow!

Pearl Bailey had so much talent she could do just about anything she wanted. Whether she was working in nightclubs, recording studios or in a movie studio Pearl never disappointed her fans. I highly recommend this album.

Pearl Bailey on Roulete Records... I have on record Pearl Bailey songbook albums which were released by Roulete... ALL STANDARD SONGS... Songbooks of Jimmy Van Heusen; Harold Arlen; Cole Porter; and more... Recorded in her prime in the 50's and 60's... This in my opinion was her best work... There's even an album of standards with her husband, the great jazz drummer, Louie Belson... So far all unavailable... It's a shame that she's being judged in our time on the basis of less than her best work... She was one of the best pop. and jazz song stylists... I believe those recordings are now owned by EMI... They really should be reissued...

1959's "Pearl Bailey Sings for Adults Only" and 1960's "More Songs for Adults Only" by Pearl Bailey may have been risque at the time (the phrase "sex life" is uttered in one song), but now has no shock-value. There is some mild innuendo, but no much more.

SINGS SONGS FOR ADULTS ONLY/MORE SONGS FOR ADULTS ONLY consists of 21 songs, ten from 1959 (tracks 1-10) and eleven from 1960 (tracks 11-21). Disc packaged in clear jewel case (title on left/front spine/side is printed upside-down); total running time: 60:49. Booklet includes original album covers (front and back) and songwriter credits; no other information is provided. Sound quality is good.

These recordings are pure cabaret. I would compare Pearl Bailey's style to Eartha Kitt, but there is only one Eartha Kitt. Pearl Bailey's voice is rather deep, it is probably most comparable to Della Reese.

This is a standard 2-LPs-on-1-disc release. The packaging leaves something to be desired, but the sound quality is good. If interested in this style of music or Pearl Bailey, this is a good disc to buy.