The first of
Harry Belafonte's duet albums with female performers, this one paired two American singers at the peak of their respective talents. As with
Belafonte's later albums, the selections consist of individual performances as well as duets. The subject matter is songs from
George Gershwin's operetta Porgy & Bess, capitalizing on the popularity of the Columbia film released that year, starring
Belafonte's best friend Sidney Poitier and his Carmen Jones co-star
Dorothy Dandridge.
Belafonte and
Horne only sing two songs together: "There's a Boat That's Leavin' Soon for New York" and "Bess, You Is My Woman." The remaining selections feature
Belafonte accompanied by Bob Corman's Orchestra or
Horne singing with husband Lennie Hayton's Orchestra.
Horne is well-suited to
Gershwin's songs, but
Belafonte doesn't seem to get his teeth into the role. ~ Cary Ginell