Kathy Barr

Another lost singer that has come to life via John from over the pond...very different and individual voice....usually  a soprano kinda voice in fact....my kinda voice...Well this is what I found out about her !!!

Kathy Barr (born Marilyn Sultana Aboulafia; June 4, 1929 – June 21, 2008) was an American vocalist who performed and recorded popular music, jazz, musical theater, and operettas. Barr flourished during the 1950s in nightclubs, television, and radio. She was acclaimed for her soprano range and ability to sing pop, jazz, and classical.

Here’s an intro to one of my favorite lady performers from the 1950’s, the sultry Kathy Barr.  Kathy released three LP’s and one single over the course of her recording career, and Follow Me (1957) is her debut. Be forewarned, the Follow Me LP is a little over-the-top, but it’s a lot of fun, especially if you like curvy, feisty 50’s gals.  Kathy Barr was born in New York to Turkish parents, and was originally in light opera until some cats in the industry suggested that she try going in a pop direction, which resulted in this her debut LP.   According to the liner notes on the back of the album, Kathy Barr was “born Marilyn Sultana Aboulafia in New York”, was of Turkish ancestry, and was discovered by Mario Lanza.

 On the Over-The-Top-O-Meter, I would say Kathy Barr is about halfway between Marilyn Monroe and Yma Sumac. Kathy makes dramatic swoops to hit notes (and hits them) while the orchestration follows her from hip-bumping swagger to violent makeout passion. Kathy sits on your lap, teases, flirts, runs her fingers through your hair, and never lets you forget that she’s ALL WOMAN the entire time she sings, to the point that when she ends the album with the title track “Follow Me”, it’s almost torturous knowing that she’s leaving and you can’t go with her. “Don’t go…” you plead under your breath as she slinks out the door, the feather boa follows her, and the door slams behind her.

Above Notes By David Gasten...

1. Tiptoe Through The Tulips

2. My Heart Belongs To Daddy

3. Cuddle Up A Little Closer

4. How Long Has This Been Going On

5. I'm Just Wild About Harry

6. Give me Something To Remenber You By

1. Bye Bye Blackbird

2. Love I Here To Stay

3. Day In Day Out 

4. Fine And Dandy

5. I Know He's Mine

6. Follow Me

        1. Bye Bye Blackbird