Saturday, May 13, 2023

The Young Pearl Bailey with Cootie Williams

I don't know when the legendary singer-actor Pearl Bailey began recording, but I believe today's offering is one of the first, if not the first thing she did. The single is from early 1944, part of a series that bandleader-trumpeter Cootie Williams made for Hit Records that year, but apparently the only item that involved Pearlie Mae.

This was a few years before Bailey became a star on Broadway, first in St. Louis Woman (1946), then in Arms and the Girl (1950), House of Flowers (1955) and Hello, Dolly! (1967-9). She was famed for her ability to command the stage, and this presence is more than evident in today's two songs.

Cootie Williams was in the fourth year of his sojourn as a bandleader, after 11 years as a high-profile member of Duke Ellington's band. Cootie was no mean presence himself as a powerful trumpet soloist and occasional singer. He put together quite a band, including on this date alto saxophonist Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson (who also sang, although not here), tenor saxophonist Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis and the young pianist Earl "Bud" Powell. Williams and Powell were to make the first recording of Thelonious Monk's "'Round Midnight" later in 1944. (A celebration of that tune is coming up.)

For this date, Williams and Bailey collaborated on two songs from Danny Kaye's absurd wartime farce Up in Arms. These are numbers by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler - "Tess's Torch Song (I Had a Man)" and "Now I Know" - both introduced by Dinah Shore in the film, playing Kaye's love interest. Dinah is great - and did well with these songs in the market - but Pearl is more convincing in "Tess's Torch Song." (She seems less sure of "Now I Know," and in truth it's a weaker song.) Bailey was ideal for Arlen's music, as she showed in St. Louis Woman, although the best songs in that magnificent score were assigned to Ruby Hill.

The sound on this single is strikingly good as presented in ambient stereo, which benefits both Bailey's voice and Williams' vivid growl trumpet.

6 comments:

Buster said...

Link (Apple lossless):

https://mega.nz/file/vQk3zIKY#4blRNwvo7bkN7A2mybdL2w4TDBUXsRO2sQfBU3VEtKE

gimpiero said...

GREAT!!!

Ernie said...

Love the Pearl Bailey! Thanks!

Buster said...

Thanks, folks - glad you like the wares!

Johnny Cee said...

Wow, you coaxed some great sound out of those sides! I’ve never heard them sound that good!

I agree that “Tess’s Torch Song” suits Pearl better than Dinah, but “Now I Know” suits Dinah better.

Have you heard Dinah’s commercial recording of “Now I Know” on Victor with the choral background (due to the recording ban)? It’s very nice!

Side question: What’s your Danny Kaye tolerance level? I think he sometimes approaches Mickey Rooney levels of over-the-top-ness!

Buster said...

Hi Johnny,

I am sure I've heard the Dinah; I like the recording ban choral records in general, although a little goes a long way.

I think I once referred to Danny Kaye as getting "fidgety," but when he is under control, he is enjoyable. I do like the Alice in Wonderland piece I recently uploaded. That sort of rapid-fire nonsense is what he did best, but he could also handle a ballad.

Glad you like the sound!