That Bad Eartha Explained

That Bad Eartha
Type:studio
Artist:Eartha Kitt
Cover:Eartha Kitt - That Bad Eartha.jpg
Released:December 1953, 1954, 1956
Recorded:March 1953 at The Manhattan Center, New York and October 1953 at RCA Victor Studio No. 2
Length:37:01
Label: (UK)
Next Title:Down to Eartha
Next Year:1955

That Bad Eartha is a twelve-song reconfiguration of material from American singer Eartha Kitt's first two eight-song, 10-inch albums issued by RCA Victor. It contains all eight songs from the 1953 album RCA Victor Presents Eartha Kitt. It repurposes the cover image and title, and four of the songs from Eartha's 1954 second 10-inch album, That Bad Eartha (10-inch, 8-song album). In this way, it could be considered an expansion of the first short-length album, supplementing it with packaging and selected songs from the second.

In May 1953, RCA Victor released the 10-inch vinyl album RCA Victor Presents Eartha Kitt, which reached No. 2 on the pop albums chart and featured 8 songs. The album was recorded in four sessions between March and October 1953 with Henri Rene and His Orchestra .

RCA released her second album, That Bad Eartha, in the 10″ popular format, in 1954. It was also released in a 45 RPM extended play version with two songs on each side of two disks. That Bad Eartha spent 12 weeks on the pop albums chart, peaking at No. 5.[1]

Long-playing records were introduced in 1948 by Columbia with 10-inch albums as the popular music format and the 12-inch album the format for classical music. RCA introduced the 45 RPM format shortly afterwards. By the mid-50s, 10″ LPs were phased out, replaced by 12″ ones for popular as well as classical music. At this point, in approximately 1956, RCA Victor reconfigured these two 8-song albums into a 12-track album, jettisoning 4 songs. This then became the standard version of the album.

Several singles were issued from various configurations of these albums. "Under the Bridges of Paris" charted in the UK Singles Chart in 1955 at #7.[2]

Many of the songs recorded for this album, such as "C'est si bon", "Uska Dara" and "I Want to Be Evil" became closely associated with Eartha Kitt, and were performed live by her until one of her last concerts at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival, shortly before her death in December 2008. The complete album was re-issued on CD in 1994 as part of the Bear Family Records five-CD boxset Eartha – Quake; this included "Santa Baby" and several other tracks from the same recording session not included in this album.[3]

Track listings

RCA Victor Presents Eartha Kitt (1953)

This was the first incarnation of the album, originally released to 10-inch in late-1953. It was released a few months later in early 1954 as a 45 RPM 7-inch double extended play. In 2010 it was issued as a digital download in select European countries under public domain with alternate artwork by Smith & Co.

10-inch Long Play Track list and notes adapted from liner notes of original release.[4] Track lengths adapted from digital release.[5]
7-inch Double Extended PlayTrack list and notes adapted from liner notes of original release.[6] Track lengths adapted from digital release.[5]

That Bad Eartha (EP) (1954)

The follow-up to Kitt's first album, RCA Victor Presents Eartha Kitt, That Bad Eartha (EP) was released in 1954, consisting entirely of previously unreleased music. It wasn't until 1956 that a 12-inch album with this title and packaging would be made available; and the later album would only contain four of these songs, with the other eight from her debut. The catalog numbers for the release were LPM-3187 (10-inch version) and EPB3187 (7-inch version).[7]

10-inch Extended Play
7-inch Double Extended PlayCredits adapted from label notes of original release.[8]
10-inch Long Play (United Kingdom Version)Released in 1955, it wasn't until 1958 that the now standard, 12-inch long play version of the album was released in the United Kingdom.[9] As a result, this version with catalogue number DLP 1067, released by His Master's Voice, is still considered to be the standard track listing for the album in the UK; the 12-inch version being commonly referred to as the "American Version" within the country.[10] The UK version of the album was released with alternative cover artwork, and was later released to a compact disk compilation.[11]

Credits adapted from liner notes of original release.[12]

That Bad Eartha (LP) (1956)

As 12-inch records became more popular, RCA Victor re-issued RCA Victor Presents Eartha Kitt as a 12-inch record with four new songs from That Bad Eartha (EP), releasing it synonymously a year after the extended play's release. This is now considered to be the standard track listing of That Bad Eartha in all countries except the United Kingdom, where this version was not officially released until 1958,[9] three years after a ten-track, long play version of That Bad Eartha (EP) was released in the country as a stand-alone album.[12] During the early 1980s this version of the album was re-issued by RCA on 12-inch in the Netherlands entitled "The Classics" That Bad Eartha. In 1984, following her international commercial success with "Where Is My Man", RCA re-issued this version of the album once again on 12-inch,[13] this time also issuing the first cassette and compact disc versions of the album in Germany, Europe, and the UK. Over the course of the next two decades, RCA Victor would release at least four re-issues of the same CD version throughout Europe. By 1994 songs from the album began becoming available in CD compilations in America by numerous record companies.[3] [14] However, it wasn't until 2002 that a CD featuring the full album would become available, released as a two-for-one with Down To Eartha. In 2006, a version of the album featuring 12 bonus tracks would be released in Italy displaying a new cover designed from an alternate shot of Kitt from the same photo shoot for her original album covers for Down to Eartha and Thursday's Child, two months later it was briefly released in the US. The album has since been issued in its entirety on CD by numerous record labels, often in multi-album compilations, throughout the world,[10] and inevitably as a digital download.[15] As of 2007 this album falls into public domain in Europe and is issued freely, without consent from RCA or its parent company Sony Music Entertainment.[10] [16]

12-inch Long Play
CD (1984)

That Bad Eartha (Japanese version)

7" Extended PlayThis was a seven-inch extended play released in Japan of the same name consisting of three songs from different versions of the album and "Santa Baby". It was released with the same cover artwork as Down To Eartha, only changing the letters to "That Bad Eartha", with the same placement and font as the album. Released by Victor of Japan, catalogue number EP-1118.

Track list adapted from label notes of original release.[17]

Personnel

Personnel adapted from AllMusic.[18] Orchestra and chorus members adapted from the liner notes of the 2006 Universe Italy CD release.[19]

Performance
Chorus members
Orchestra members
Technical
Re-issue
Composers

Release history

RegionDateFormatLabelEdition
United StatesMay 195310-inch LPRCA VictorRCA Victor Presents Eartha Kitt
19542×7″ Double EP
195?[20] RCA
France195410-inch LP[21] RCA Victor
United States10-inch EP, 2×7″ Double EP[22] That Bad Eartha (EP)
United Kingdom1955[23] 10-inch LP (UK version)His Master's VoiceThat Bad Eartha (LP)
United States195612-inch LP (standard version)RCA Victor[24]
South AfricaRCA, Teal Records[25]
CanadaUnknown[26] RCA Victor
United Kingdom1958RCA[27]
RCA Victor[28]
GermanyRCA[29]
Europe
MexicoUnknown[30] RCA Victor
JapanUnknown7-inch EP (Japanese version)VictorThat Bad Eartha
Netherlands1980[31] 12-inch LP (re-issue)RCA Victor"The Originals" That Bad Eartha
Germany198412-inch LP (re-issue),[32] cassette (standard version), CD (standard version)[33] (re-issued 1988–1989,[34] 1992–1993, 1998,[35] 2003[36] [37] all under the original catalog #ND-89439)RCAThat Bad Eartha (LP)
United KingdomRCA, BMG Records (dist)
EuropeRCA, BMG Ariola (dist)
United States2002[38] CD (standard version)BMG Special ProductsThat Bad Eartha / Down to Eartha
JapanUnknown[39] CD (standard version)RCA RecordsThat Bad Eartha (LP)
Italy30 January 2006CD (bonus track version)[40] Universe Italy
United States21 March 2006Universe USA
Netherlands (CRREV189)27 November 2006 (ret)[41] (imp) (imp)[42] / 4 December 2006 (lis)[43] CD (standard version) (reconstructed artwork)Rev-Ola
Australia (CRREV189)Rev-Ola, Red Eye (dist)
United Kingdom (CRREV189)Rev-Ola
Germany (189)30 Jan 2007[44] CD (standard version) (reconstructed artwork)Rev-Ola, Bear Family (dist)[45]
United Kingdom / Ireland
(CR 228)		20 November 2007 (lis)[46] / 3 December 2007 (ret)[47] CD (standard version) (reconstructed artwork) (UK re-issue / IE first distributed issue), digital download (standard edition) (reconstructed artwork)[48] [49] Rev-Ola, Cherry Red (dist)[50]
Spain (CR 228)3 December 2007 (ret)[51] Digital download (standard version) (reconstructed artwork)Rev-Ola
Canada (CR 228)11 December 2007 (ret)[52] CD (standard version) (reconstructed artwork) [import]
Austria2008CD (UK version)[53] VocalationThat Bad Eartha & Down to Eartha
United Kingdom2009
United Kingdom / Ireland16 February 2009 (ret) / 19 February 2009 (lis)2xCD (standard version), digital download (standard version)[54] Avid EasyFour Classic Albums (That Bad Eartha / Down to Eartha / Thursday's Child / St. Louis Blues)
Canada16 February 2009 (ret)[55] digital download (standard version)
United States11 May 2010 (ret)[56] 2xCD (standard version) [import]
Ireland2010digital downloadSmith & CoRCA Victor Presents Eartha Kitt
Europe /
North America (imp)		9 July 20134xCD Box Set (standard version) [remastered]Real Gone Jazz7 Classic Albums (That Bad Eartha / Down to Eartha / Thursday's Child / St. Louis Blues / The Fabulous Eartha / Bad But Beautiful / The Romantic Eartha)

Notes and References

  1. Book: Whitburn, Joel . 2002 . Joel Whitburn's Pop Hits 1940–1954: Singles & Albums . 2nd . Record Research Inc . 0-898201-52-7.
  2. Web site: Eartha Kitt Under The Bridges of Paris Official Charts Company. Official Charts Company. 2012-08-17.
  3. Web site: Eartha-Quake 5 CD Set – Eartha Kitt . Earthakittfanclub.com . 2011-08-12.
  4. Web site: RCA Victor Presents Eartha Kitt 10. discogs. 2014-06-17.
  5. Web site: RCA Victor Presents Eartha Kitt. Apple Inc. and iTunes. 2014-06-17.
  6. Web site: RCA Victor Presents Eartha Kitt Double EP. discogs. 2014-06-17.
  7. Web site: That Bad Eartha 10. discogs. 2014-06-17.
  8. Web site: That Bad Eartha Double EP. discogs. 2014-06-17.
  9. Web site: That Bad Eartha 12" (UK). discogs. 2014-06-18.
  10. Web site: Four Classic Albums (UK). AllMusic. 2014-06-18.
  11. Web site: That Bad Eartha / Down to Eartha (UK) CD. earthakittfanclub.com. 2014-06-18.
  12. Web site: That Bad Eartha 10" (UK). March 1955 . discogs. 2014-06-17.
  13. Web site: That Bad Eartha German re-issue. 14 November 1984 . discogs. 2014-06-18.
  14. Web site: Purr-fect: Greatest Hits CD. Amazon. 2014-06-19.
  15. Web site: Four Classic Albums digital download (UK). Apple Inc. and iTunes. 2014-06-18.
  16. Web site: That Bad Eartha digital download (UK) Public domain year. Apple Inc. and iTunes. 2014-06-18.
  17. Web site: That Bad Eartha Japan EP. eBay. 2014-06-18.
  18. Web site: That Bad Eartha album credits. AllMusic. 2014-06-17.
  19. Web site: That Bad Eartha (Bonus Tracks) (CD). © 1997-2014 barnesandnoble.com Ilc. 2014-06-18.
  20. Web site: RCA Victor Presents Eartha Kitt 2×7" RCA (no Victor) . earthakittfanclub.com. 2014-06-18.
  21. Web site: RCA Victor Presents Eartha Kitt 10" France. discogs. 2014-06-17.
  22. Web site: That Bad Eartha (EP) releases. discogs. 2014-06-18.
  23. Web site: That Bad Eartha (UK Version). March 1955 . discogs. 2014-06-19.
  24. Web site: That Bad Eartha (LP) (US). discogs. 2014-06-18.
  25. Web site: That Bad Eartha (LP) (SA). discogs. 2014-06-18.
  26. http://www.gemm.com/store/SUPERECORD/item/KITT-EARTHA-THAT-BAD-EARTHA-LP/764081960
  27. Web site: That Bad Eartha (LP) (UK) (RCA Label). discogs. 2014-06-18.
  28. Web site: That Bad Eartha (LP) (UK) (RCA Victor Label). discogs. 2014-06-18.
  29. Web site: That Bad Eartha (LP) (Germany) online auction. eBay. 2014-06-18.
  30. Web site: That Bad Eartha (LP) (Mexico). 14 November 1963 . discogs. 2014-06-18.
  31. Web site: That Bad Eartha (LP) (NL). 14 November 1980 . discogs. 2014-06-18.
  32. Web site: That Bad Eartha (LP) (Germany) (re-issue). 14 November 1984 . discogs. 2014-06-18.
  33. Web site: That Bad Eartha (CD) (Germany). discogs. 2014-06-18.
  34. Web site: Catalog #ND-89439 (1989). earthakittfanclub.com. 2014-06-19.
  35. Web site: Catalog #ND-89439 (June 30, 1998) [note: entry displays incorrect album art]]. AllMusic. 2014-06-19.
  36. Web site: Catalog #ND-89439 (September 2, 2003). AllMusic. 2014-06-19.
  37. Web site: Catalog #ND-89439 (November 11, 2003). AllMusic. 2014-06-19.
  38. Web site: That Bad Eartha / Down to Eartha" (US) (CD). earthakittfanclub.com. 2014-06-18.
  39. Web site: Blog post featuring picture of That Bad Eartha Japanese CD. easystreetonline.com. 2014-06-18.
  40. Web site: That Bad Eartha (bonus tracks) (CD). earthakittfanclub.com. 2014-06-19.
  41. Web site: That Bad Eartha Rev-Ola reconstruction retail and AUS import date (NLD). redeye.com.au. 2014-06-19.
  42. Web site: That Bad Eartha Rev-Ola reconstruction UK import (NLD). dvdsource.co.uk. 2014-06-19.
  43. Web site: That Bad Eartha Rev-Ola reconstruction licensing date (NLD). AllMusic. 2014-06-19.
  44. Web site: That Bad Eartha Rev-Ola reconstruction CD (DE) release date. AllMusic. 2014-06-19.
  45. Web site: That Bad Eartha Rev-Ola reconstruction CD (DE) distributor. bear-family.de. 2014-06-19.
  46. Web site: That Bad Eartha Rev-Ola reconstruction licensing date (UK/IE). AllMusic. 2014-06-19.
  47. Web site: That Bad Eartha Rev-Ola reconstruction digital download (UK). Amazon.co.uk. 2014-06-19.
  48. Web site: That Bad Eartha Rev-Ola reconstruction digital download (GB). Apple Inc. and iTunes. 2014-06-19.
  49. Web site: That Bad Eartha Rev-Ola reconstruction digital download (IE). Apple Inc. and iTunes. 2014-06-19.
  50. Web site: That Bad Eartha Rev-Ola reconstruction CD (UK1) distributor. cherryred.co.uk. 2014-06-19.
  51. Web site: That Bad Eartha Rev-Ola reconstruction digital download (ES). Amazon.es. 2014-06-19.
  52. Web site: That Bad Eartha Rev-Ola reconstruction cd (CA). Amazon.ca. 2014-06-19.
  53. Web site: That Bad Eartha / Down to Eartha (CD). earthakittfanclub.com. 2014-06-18.
  54. Web site: Four Classic Albums digital download (IE). Apple Inc. and iTunes. 2014-06-19.
  55. Web site: Four Classic Albums (DD) (Canada). Apple Inc. and iTunes. 2014-06-19.
  56. Web site: Four Classic Albums (CD) (US importation retail release date). Amazon. 2014-06-19.

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