Pearl Bailey Sings " Don't Like Goodbyes" from " House of Flowers." As Pearl Bailey did in an earlier Arlen/ Mercer show " St. Louis Woman ", she portrayed a somewhat domineering yet comic presence on stage. Portraying a Madam of a bordello, she had a commercial interest in her " ladies" as well as a certain rough-hewn affection for her "flowers" which is portrayed in a tender ballad " Don't Like Goodbyes." Originally written for Otillie, the young girl in love with Royal, Pearl Bailey appropriated the song for herself. it is a gentle goodbye song that uses everyday speech patterns but as Jenness & Velsey report " The song has the familiar upward glide. on words that convey yearning like the last syllables of " Don't like goodbyes, tears or sighs,,"--- and a stunning employing repeated notes on,first, the lowered 7, then the pure 7, before ending on the octave (note.)
Bailey does manage to convey her genuine regret at Ottilie leaving her " House" and is an affecting and memorable performance of a song that should be a standard, especially since saying goodbye is such a universal and poignant experience.
LINK:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVM61ntxN90
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