Arkansas State press., 1959-05-29
with Dolores Calvin

NEW YORK CITY-(CNS)-LENA LOSES VICTOR
sUT-Lena Hornes one unhappy gal and we think right
ly SO : for her new RCA Victor release with Harry Bella
fonte-"Porgy and Bess" is not her best singing and she
knows it. Seems the technicians dubbed her voice with Harry's
and that's where the trouble began. Lena took RCA to court
last week suing for 100000 and action to nrevent tho oil
the records but Supreme Court Judge Samuel Cold disp,iSsed
the suit as lacking evidence and right away Victor came out
with full pages of ads boosting the sales. They call this record
"The greatest Porgy and Bess' of them ALL. Thew also
stress Immediate delivery" Contrary to Lena's wishes tbe
press boys at RcA are pushing the record now harder than
ever TO make up for any connotationS her suit NAV have had
on the public. "e nav
Lena said if this record got out it would cause her career
irreparable damage but RCAs smart LAWYERS somebouu nover
let her complaint get off the ground.
The star, who has some great albums II "I.moio,n
leading the hst-We feel, deserves a better break and to her
fans, it's just another case of exploiting the talents of Negro
artists not caring whether their careers. are
permanently damaged Or not long as the records sell.
The NAAcP leads the brigade in fighting Tv producers
wishing to revive Birth of a Nation. Pops Armstrong, with
Velma Middleton and his full lineup did a 80 minute TV show
in Italy All seats at Apollo Theatre at 5 p, m. were $500 :
which was a bargain for Pearl Bailey who had them in line
. She brought her mixed chorus with her
which proved such a success in southern states.
Rose Murphy into the Melody Lounge in Denver. Clara
Ward is a real smart businesswoman. besides her
gospel singers she's now in theatrical productions with stock
and shares. Phil Moore who did those fabulous arrange
rnents for Lena Horne and Dot cambridge, preparing to ven
ture around the world If necessary, for new album material
The Robert Shaw Chorale, under Shaw's direction has a
new album out for RCA which has favorite spirituals: Deep
River. My Lord What a Morning, Dry Bones and
didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel are just a few. The Chorale
is made up of some of the most beautiful voices anywhere
and they have a personal feeling in their voices that you are
at once moved by the fact they are. really "heaven sent.
In one verse from "Eyerytime I feel The Spirit, a clear voice
rings out: There amt but one train upon this track
it runs to heaven and right back"
Eartha Kilt played another page from her book Thurs
days Child" when she cancelled two nights of an Is night date
at BHnstrub's in Boston was heard to have said Lets get
the hell out of here and then left the manager to his own
devices of getting a substitute. The AGVA board heard
both sides: then agreed Bhnstrub must pay her for 5 nights
worked at the rate of 5000 per week but Eartha must pay
him for two nights at the same rate plus expenses of getting
a replacement. Eartha claims a sore throat caused her to can
eel out Her check was held for the decision. -.
The joke was on Frisco when Josephine Prentice, recently
of Jamaica, appeared at the Fairmont complete with bongo
drummer, bright red gown and a $3.50 cover. Josephine mas
no voice period yet she was billed as a singer. She's a
musical comedy star. She can sng-yes but only with per
sonality her voice is as flat as a pancake. Well the pat
rons were sitting there waiting for a warbler when suddenly