That bad Eartha

Another great has joined the chorus in the sky - this time Eartha Kitt, who has died aged 81. During the fifties, Eartha was probably the most exciting, sexy black woman alive. Her unique voice and feline, predatory persona made her both alluring and slightly scary. She was perfect for the part of Cat Woman in the Batman series in the sixties. Even many years later she still had a sensual appeal, and the recent success of her 1953 hit Santa Baby brought her well deserved fame even in her late seventies. Her voice never quite fitted into the soul or blues categories, although it would have been interesting to hear her try, but it was unlike any other. When she sang I Want to be Evil, you knew that she really meant it, and who could doubt that she would find her millionaire when she sang Just an Old Fashioned Girl. Truly one of the greats.

A toast too to playwright Harold Pinter, who also joins the 2008 death list. And to folk guitarist Davey Graham, who died ten days ago.