Editorial Review

The revisionist take on the Rat Pack's razor-witted King of Cool reveals a Dean Martin who was considerably more complex than the Titan of Tipplers legend; a man who would just as soon retire to his room with a tumbler of milk to watch a TV Western than prowl the Strip with his famous cohorts. That sublime, preternatural indifference is both underscored and belied with dizzying regularity on this good 30-track overview of Martin's singing career. The breezy hits "That's Amore" and "Volare" underscored his public staying power when many counted him out in the face of a surging 1950s youth market. He repeated the feat again with trademark effortlessness a decade later to knock no less than the Beatles off the top of the charts with the unlikely, if inviting schmaltz of "Everybody Loves Somebody."Ever informed by his warm, deceptive vocal ease, Martin's rich signature tunes are well-represented here. But the collection also spans enough lovable kitsch ("Mambo Italiano," "Little Old Wine Drinker Me") and unabashed romantic yearning ("Innamorata," "Send Me the Pillow You Dream On") to deepen the compelling mystery of one of pop music's most enduring ciphers. Read more

Reviews (25)

HOW LUCKY CAN ONE GUY BE?
Capitol Records, the house built by Johnny Mercer and Nat Cole, allowed singers such as Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin to soar to new heights in their careers, thanks in no small way to the brilliant arrangements by Nelson Riddle and great players sitting in during the recording sessions. Of the three singers mentioned, I would place Cole at the very top for his supreme musicality and popularity with the record-buying public, a 600 hit wonder. Next comes Martin, who had an unstudied nonchalance with any song he sang and a wonderful sounding rich voice. Last is Sinatra, which in no way is meant to imply least. It's Dean surprisingly, not Frank, with which to sample the best sound ever from Capitol. Dean's voice is always in the foreground and the arrangements are keptbehind. Frank's voice is usually forward but all too often overpowered by Riddle's elaborate arrangements, which is surprising for a band singer. Dean makes it seem so easy, that's all there is to that. He just takes everything in stride. So where to start with this marvellous collection? Oh, just jump in anyplace. This is the cream of Dino's career--decades worth--all delicious.

The Incomparable Dino
If you are a Dean Martin fan, you'll find no better album.If you don't know if you're a Dean Martin fan, listen to this album and you'll become a fan.It's Dean at his best -- all the classics.I'd recommend it for anyone.

Dino: The Essential Dean Martin
This album has several of Martin's hits which I like.
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Subjects:  1. American Popular Song    2. Pop    3. Pop Vocals    4. Traditional Pop    5. Vocal    6. Vocal Pop   

Editorial Review

A 20-track collection from the Reprise years that tries to cover too much ground. Read more

Reviews (76)

Frank never needed luck to be a lady--he embodied talent!!!
Frank Sinatra is, without question, one of the greatest entertainers the world has ever known--or perhaps ever will know. Yes, this CD does try to cover a lot of ground; but it is a very good collection for a single CD that represents Frank's best when he worked at his own Reprise Records. I am in love with this CD; and you will be, too!
The Chairmen of the board at his best!
This is Sinatra at his swinging best. I am addicted to this album. Fantastic to think that any singer could have 29 very good years, and how many excellent ones! this CD includes his hits from 1960 to 1979 and include both studio and live tunes. Great bands and arrangers like The Count, Nelson Riddle, Billy May, and Don Costa. A great CD for any Sinatra fan!

Superb
If you like Sinatra, you will love this album. If you love Sinatra, it will be one of you favorites. It collects many of his biggest hits and these are prime recordings.
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Subjects:  1. Ballads    2. Jazz-Pop    3. Pop    4. Pop Vocals    5. Popular Music    6. Soft Rock    7. Traditional Pop    8. Vocal    9. Vocal Jazz    10. Vocal Pop   

Editorial Review

Tony Bennett's commercial renaissance of the 1980s and '90s was aided by a string of albums that communicated his essential values while providing conceptual rings (Sinatra, Astaire, women singers) for record buyers to grasp. Read more

Reviews (35)

Loved this C.D!!!!
Though I am not a Tony Bennet fan,I have to say this is by far my favorite C.D by him.I think anyone reading this will enjoy this no matter who you like musically.

Playin' With My Friends
One of Tony Bennett's greatest CDs.The duets are super!

Duets, duets,duets !

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Subjects:  1. Jazz Music    2. Pop    3. Pop Vocals    4. Traditional Pop    5. Vocal    6. Vocal Jazz   

Editorial Review

A great, comprehensive collection of Sinatra's most popular Reprise tracks, and worth having for any number of reasons, Read more

Reviews (77)

Ol Blue eyes
I already had this double disc cd.But unfortunatly disc two got stolen. I guess thats a good testiment by itself.The chairman sings almost all of his cherished hits.My personal favorites "The Lady is a Tramp""New York, New York" and "Witchcraft".This is music you could listen to over and over.I became a Sinatra fan strangly enough by watching SNL. Phil Hartman does an amazing Frank."Who'd you rather bang? Lana Turner or Rita Heyworth?I disqualify myself because I did them both!"

The Very Best of Frank Sinatra
Saw dances to some of the music from this CD at Pacific Northwest Ballet and loved it.Bought the CD and love it even more.

Its not yet the greatest collections for me.
I love Frank Sinatra's songs so I bought this CD thinking that it will have all my favorite music.But I am quite disappointed because some of the songs in this CD did not have those songs that I want to hear over and over again. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ballads    2. Pop    3. Pop Vocals    4. Popular Music    5. Swing    6. Traditional Pop    7. Vocal    8. Vocal Jazz    9. Vocal Pop   

Editorial Review

Even in the face of epochal success, it's tempting to ponder what Barbra Streisand might have accomplished had she not spread herself across so many diverse entertainment media; so much ambition, so little time. This collection of 19 Streisand duets chronicles collaborations with Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland at one end of the scale and Don Johnson at the other. It finds the singer dabbling--if, as her bluesy miscue with Ray Charles on "Crying Time" argues, not necessarily triumphing--in styles she largely eschewed elsewhere in her career. Still, her unlikely collaborations with Barry Gibb ("Guilty," "What Kind of Fool") and Donna Summer ("No More Tears (Enough Is Enough") during the disco era scored her some of the biggest successes of her career, ample proof that with the right chemistry, Streisand could be as powerful a pop music chameleon as she was a diva. New recordings with veteran Barry Manilow (the warm, low-key "I Won't Be the One to Let You Go") and Josh Groban (David Foster's overwrought "All I Know of Love") supplement recordings that stretch from the '60s kitsch-a-go-go of Harold Arlen's "Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead" across five decades of Streisand's unparalleled career. Read more

Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (96)

Bra Bra is Great!
This is absolutely incredible! It is the best CD I've ever owned.

More Suffering For Your Money
If only they had this CD to work with at Guanatamo and Abu Ghraib, traditional methods of torture would be unnecessary.As always, Ms. Streisand brings her overwrought, unctuous smarm to the proceedings, giving schmaltz a bad name, and squeezing every drop of melodrama out of the sickly sweet material that seems to find its way to her with the inevitably of swallows returning to Capistrano.But here's the exciting part.Not only does your entertainment dollar purchase 19 different degradations of all things musical by Barbara, you also get to hear her team up with a gaggle of equally horrible - and even a few more horrible - singers.
I LOVE A DUET
Duets! Wonderful duets. A few of my favorite singers have Duet Albums out...Frank Sinatra and Barbra. I gave the CD a 5 stars. I have many favorites on it and two new ones. Look at the artist!! How could you not want this CD?? You cannot go wrong with Josh Groban and Babs. A timeless song by Neil Diamond and her, "You Don't Bring Me Flowers"... Barry Gibb "Guilty"..."What Kindof Fool"...and Don Johnson, better than you think. Barry Manilow...they are great together, better than I thought they would be. A real oldie treasure with Judy Garland. Remember Babs on Judy's show?
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Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Pop Vocals    3. Popular Music    4. Vocal   

Editorial Review

Barbra Streisand's bravado made her one of the 1960s' overnight sensations. This 40-cut compendium traces her recording career from early tracks that frequently relay her subtlety to often impressive accommodations with soft rock and still later vibrato-fests that find her taxing the limits of performer's ego and listeners' ears. The narrative is one of direct, sometimes showy, emotion giving way to empty displays of technique. By 1983's icky anthem "A Piece of Sky," Streisand has plowed under the light touches of "Lover, Come Back to Me" and the triumphal Read more

Features

• Limited Edition
• Original recording remastered

Reviews (105)

ok
I was some what dissapointed in this c d. I like her music she belts out, not the very slow kind. I purched it for the song evergreen, as that was my wedding song. Most of the music is very slow and monitoned.

The most bang for your barbra buck!
This is a very generous selection of Barbra's lifelong career hits! My personal favorite is "Somewhere" which uses surround sound in it and it is the most moving version I have ever heard -- it went right through me and brought me to tears. For those fans new and old that want the top of the line valentine, this is it! The sound quality on this double CD is excellent -- even on the older hits. You won't be disappointed. Get it.

Chills down the spine Tears in the eyes
Barbra Steisand is at her best one of the greatest of all singers. She can bring chills down your spine and tears to your eyes.
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Subjects:  1. Adult Contemporary    2. Musicals    3. Pop    4. Pop Vocals    5. Popular Music    6. Soft Rock    7. United States of America    8. Vocal   

Editorial Review

Never mind the project's odd couple, "He's got a girlfriend; so does she" marketing shuck. This is a musical love affair in all its splendor. Produced by the seemingly chameleonic producer T Bone Burnett (who previously revived traditional bluegrass with spectacular success on Read more

Reviews (56)

2 Great Singers.12 Great Songs.1 Ho-hum Album.
I don't get the politics of Tony Bennett saying "yes, dear" to KD Lang at the end of the 1st number, but sad to say, the whole album seems an overproduced mistake, including sappy saxophone interludes and treacly high-pitched violin countermelodies.
Lacks punch
I am a huge Bennett fan and have enjoyed this cd (although K.D. Lang?s voice doesn?t impress me that much.)That said, someone recently loaned me the cd of Louis Armstrong singing the same songs and it had a totally different feel.Truly Armstrong is inimitable.His versions are full of pizzazz, mischievousness and just plain fun.I?m sorry to say that after hearing the originals I found the Bennett/Lang rather mediocre.

Tony and k.d.sing the oldies
I loved this c.d. Tony and k.d. have terrific voice control and they complimented each other on the duet tracts.
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Subjects:  1. Jazz Music    2. Pop    3. Pop Vocals    4. Vocal   

Editorial Review

In the late 1950s and the '60s, country music was essentially a singles medium. This album, first released in 1967 and reissued on compact disc in 1988, collects Patsy Cline's biggest hits--all of them from the country singles market--including "Walkin' After Midnight," "Sweet Dreams (Of You)," "Crazy," and "I Fall to Pieces." Producer Owen Bradley surrounds Cline's full-throated, emotionally charged vocals with lush, sophisticated arrangements that set the standard for Nashville's "countrypolitan" sound. Before Shania Twain found a new (though not necessarily improved) way to combine country and pop in the 1990s, this was the top-selling country album of all time by a female artist. Read more

Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (16)

Emotive CD
A wonderfully emotive Cd for those of us who were youngsters in the fifties and sixties - how many of us have danced to Patsy's music with our sweethearts?

Patsy Clline's Greatest Hits
A lot of her big hits, I enjoyed having so many on the same CD

Oh that Voice!
If there is one musical genere I dislike, its Country. Give me some Bluegrass, yet Country music just doesnt reach me. But then there is Patsy Cline, whos voice alone is absolutly breath-taking. Even though these tracks were mostly recorded in the 1960s,I still think that she is one of the best Country singers of all time. Some of the material is a bit dated, as evidence with a little doo-wop thrown in, yet these are a great collection of songs. I encourage people to see to put down thier Britney Spears, Christine Agularia, and Jo-LO CD's, and try on some Patsy Cline for a real amazing voice. No, this isnt going to want to make you groove, but its a voice that has to be heard. This one is a true classic in any music genere. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Country    2. Country & Western    3. Nashville Sound/Countrypolitan    4. Pop    5. Rockabilly    6. Traditional Country    7. United States of America   

Editorial Review

While Sinatra,Martin, and the Rat Pack were busy sacrificing a good measure of their vocal talents in the sordid business of fame and fortune,Tony Bennett was quietly, stubbornly, burnishing his vocal gifts into High, if seemingly effortless, Art. How good is Bennett? Just ask the Chairman of the Board and Head Rat: "The best goddamned pop singer I've ever heard." While a single disc can't offer much more than a sketchy outline of Bennett's rich, seven-decade career, this one offers the commercial peaks--and some telling hints at the restless artistic instinct that produced them. From the pure, nearly operatic power and perfect vibrato he displays on early hits such as "Rags to Riches," "Stranger in Paradise" and the overly theatrical, borderline kitsch of "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" through his signature "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" to his gratifying if unlikely '90s resurgence, you can literally hear Bennett's voice tempering like the wood of a Stradivarius, his phrasing taking on a deceptively loose, jazz-fueled languor that tells you where his musical heart really lies. The singer, not the song; damn straight advice--take it from a master. Read more

Features

• Enhanced
• Original recording remastered

Reviews (16)

Just a start for lots more to discover
In my opinion, Tony Bennett made a lot of "definite" versions of standards. A truly high accomplishment.
Great CD
Really enjoy this CD.I'm on chemotherapy and take a CD player to treatment and this is one of the ones I take with me.As I'm "older", I truly enjoy listening to songs I loved as a much younger person.Anyone who likes Tony Bennett should enjoy the Ultimate Tony Bennett.

Great Singer & Great Music
A friend of mine introduced me to the music of Tony Bennett.I was not alive when these tunes were first recorded.Now I listen to Tony Bennett all the time and this is my favorite CD.His music is great.I have over 11,000 songs and I can honestly say I like this CD the best! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ballads    2. Jazz-Pop    3. Pop    4. Pop Vocals    5. Popular Music    6. Traditional Pop    7. United States of America    8. Vocal    9. Vocal Jazz    10. Vocal Pop    11. Vocal/Standards   

Reviews (15)

Dean Martin's 'ITALIAN LOVE SONGS'
Was in Italy getting married and discovered we were missing our two "Best of..." albums. No 'Volare' after flying all that way? And how can you visit Napoli (where love is king) without a copy of "That's Amore"? Well this album arrived on our wedding day - a godsend! Highly recommended.

fun great slightly cheesy music
I totally enjoy this album. Martin's voice goes perfectly in these arrangements.This music makes you feel good.

Dino Singing ItalianNow That's Amore
I can no longer eat spaghetti without having Dino `s Italian Love Songs spinning nearby. You will say Return To Me many times over to the CD ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Pop Vocals    3. Popular Music    4. Traditional Pop    5. Vocal    6. Vocal Pop   

Editorial Review

Just as irony is being pronounced dead, along comes this boozy holiday compilation to suggest that rumors of its demise may be premature. Given the culture's simmering lounge mania, this collection (with its cheesy homage/rip-off Read more

Reviews (37)

Barely 5 stars
This was a tough one to rate as you have 3 legendary entertainers here who sang similiar songs but yet in completely different styles - if they all would have been the same, that'd be boring now....rite?.
warm up any season
the rat pack...what else do y'all need to know?Clasic, Classic, Classic.especially love Dean Martin's voice at Christmas time, he even sounds warm and cozy.

The best, romantic, greatest ever Christmas CD
I am very picky with my Christmas music! This is the best Christmas CD I own. It is classic and romantic. You feel like you are in a 1940's Christmas movie or sitting in a trendy coffee house in the falling snow. Buy this CD! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American Popular Song    2. Ballads    3. Big Band    4. Christmas    5. Christmas / Chanukkah    6. Christmas Music    7. Holiday    8. Pop    9. Traditional Pop    10. V/a Compilations    11. Vocal Jazz    12. Vocal Pop    13. Xmas Vocal Collections   

Reviews (23)

The Best Singer in the world!!!!
This woman is the Best singer I've ever heard.I'm only 20 years old and I just looooove her music so much.

The Best.
Ella is without question the greatest American singer of all time. Buy this one, buy any of them, buy them all. She never made a bad album. She opens her mouth and heaven flows. I would also suggest any of the biographies, including some on dvd with performances. This diva was, IS, the real thing - with a heart to match the voice.

This Fella Loves Ella
Ella is an extraordinary and refreshing exception to most Jazz vocalists.Many Jazz singers have a very bad technique, producing their sound from their throats in an unhealthy manner.Ella, however, has the technique and stamina of a classical singer.This why her career peaked in her 40's and was able to sing until very late in her life.Read more

Subjects:  1. Ballads    2. Jazz    3. Jazz Music    4. Jazz Vocals    5. Pop    6. Standards    7. Swing    8. Traditional Pop    9. Vocal Jazz   

Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (11)

Beautiful Collection
This is a terrific collection with a wide range of songs from one of the most spectacular voices the music industry has ever heard. Patsy Cline's gorgeous voice and the emotion she put into her songs makes them heartbreaking to listen to, or if an upbeat song, especially fun to listen to. She just can't be topped. I only wish there were a Patsy Cline Christmas album available. I highly recommend this CD to any Patsy Cline or country music fan. Great selection of hit songs!

What a voice.
I just love listening to this old style of music. Patsy Cline has such a pure tone to her voice. I have to remind myself that even though some of these subjects are a little degrading to women it was a different era and it's the lady's voice that I love. I experienced some volume fading and getting louder in few of the songs. But, that's my only complaint.

The Only Collection
This is the only Patsy Cline CD you'll ever need.Every song is as good as the last one.If you like classic country or just plain classic, it will be tough to stop listening to this CD. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Country    2. Nashville Sound/Countrypolitan    3. Pop    4. Traditional Country    5. United States of America   

Editorial Review

Tony Bennett has a typical lack of effusiveness about the kudos of his seven-decade career, but he does reportedly display an inscribed picture from a longtime colleague and fellow saloon singer in his Manhattan apartment. It reads: "To the best goddamned pop singer I've ever heard." It's signed "Frank Sinatra." But don't take the Chairman's word for it. Just listen as these two discs bound from one masterly performance to the next, documenting a career whose ups and downs--Bennett actually went long years Read more

Features

• Limited Edition
• Original recording remastered

Reviews (13)

Poorly engineered and unworthy of this great artist.
This two CD set is a disappointment.Yes, all the great Tony Bennett songs are here and there are many glimpses of his timeless artistry. But before you buy you need to know:
Spanning The Decades With Finesse
Tony Bennett's vocals are timeless.Just listen to his early works as he began developing his own special style.And whether Tony sang grand ballads or cool jazz, he brought his unique essence to his music.
The essential tony bennet provides you with beautiful music,and sound.This double cd is sure to please.
The essential tony bennett,contains,most of tonys best music...I have always been a fan of the old standards...Why today,there are so many of todays singers singing the timeless standards.Tony bennett represents class,and a stanard of musical integrety,that is rarly,captured in todays music...This is a great album to relax with. 5 star rated,and good deal.thank you!! "enjoy" ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Pop Vocals    3. Popular Music    4. Vocal   

Editorial Review

As you may already know from seeing it hawked incessantly on late-night TV by Jerry Vale, Read more

Reviews (50)

What a rip...
Yeah, the music is good (excepting the crappy "Godfather" remake), but this is a little over 60 minutes of music released on two CDs, for no good reason other than to charge the unwitting consumer more money. You could fit the entire collection on one disc, and have room for 8 more songs (they're saving those for "Mob Hits 2", ripping you off at store near you!). There are better compilations out there... and better deals.

Fun listening...
This is the second set I have purchased....I wore the other set out.My cousin in Italy laughed for an hour after hearing it.We call it our happy music.It tugs at my Italian heart.

"Blast From The Past"
Wow...Good Old Dago Songs...Feel like I'm back in old Atlantic City...You know - Steel Pier...500 Club etc. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ballads    2. Brill Building Pop    3. Pop    4. Soundtrack    5. Soundtracks & Film Scores    6. Swing    7. Traditional Pop    8. Vocal    9. Vocal Collections    10. Vocal Jazz    11. Vocal Pop   

Editorial Review

Try to forget the fact that Bing Crosby probably never had to record another song in his life after he immortalized "White Christmas." If you can do that, you'll find plenty more to like in this crooning Christmas collection. There's the Romantic Bing, charming the tinsel right off the tree with "The Christmas Song," and that cure for cabin fever, "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" There's the Reverent Bing, solemnly singing "Adeste Fideles." And of course, there's Bing the Showman, belting out "Good King Wenceslas" with a bit of that ole vaudeville shine. But no matter what you're told, "White Christmas" will be the number one reason for sticking this one in your stocking. And who can blame you? It's as timeless now as it was way back when. Read more

Reviews (38)

Since childhood
I'd rather hear Nat King Cole sing Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire than anyone else.Still this was a family favorite when I was growing up and although I still own the record (yes, record) I purchased the CD to continue listening to it now.Bing Crosby is a Christmas staple and this collection of songs is one of his best.

Big's Best
This is the only Bing Crosby Christmas tape that you need to own.
an all-time Classic
Buy this CD. You will not be sorry. Bing sings a great selection of Christmas songs, including the unforgettable "White Christmas " by Irving Berlin.
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Subjects:  1. Christmas    2. Christmas / Chanukkah    3. Christmas Music    4. Holiday    5. Pop    6. Standards    7. Traditional Pop    8. Vocal Pop    9. Xmas Vocal   

Features

• Live
• Original recording reissued
• Original recording remastered
• Soundtrack

Reviews (33)

Watch the movie...then listen to the music!
I remember when the movie premeired in the 70's with Kris and Barbra. The soundtrack has some great cuts on it but, to get the most of of your listening pleasure, I reccomend watching the movie first. Otherwise some of the cuts seem out of place in this complilation of songs. I've ordered the movie but it hasn't been released yet. I can't wait to see it again.

Great album title by Barbra Streisand!!!
This album by Barbra Streisand, which is a companion title to the movie of the same name from 1976, is one of her best selling titles ever. It contains 11 songs, 6 of which contain Barbra's beautiful singing voice (including the timeless "Evergreen"), 3 of them have Kris Kristofferson's vocals, and 2 have Barbra and Kris singing together. This was and still is a great movie and this album was a hot seller when it was first released in late '76 and was at the top of the charts for quite a long time. The music on this album is wonderful. I mainly prefer Barbra's songs on this title more than Kris' songs. His material on this was okay; his performance was not too bad in the movie. I am not very familiar with any of Kris' other material that he did during his singing career before or after doing the movie. Anyway, I love this album (and the movie, too). I am looking forward to getting the movie on DVD sometime soon. I don't quite understand why the movie wasn't available on DVD before, but Barbra's fans will be looking forward to getting it soon. I have this album on LP (3 copies, believe it or not) and on CD. No Barbra Streisand music collection is complete without this title. Get it while you can!!! Now, I am going to give a brief summary of each of the eleven songs on this album:
A Real Jewel
Hi,
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Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Soundtracks & Film Scores    3. Progressive Country    4. Singer/Songwriter    5. Soft Rock    6. Soundtrack    7. Traditional Country    8. Vocal   

Reviews (11)

Billie's Best - Accept No Substitutes
Billie Holiday is the quintessential jazz singer; despite a limited vocal range she set the standard by which all others are measured.It's all about the quality of her voice, the lush tone, and her marvelously idiosyncratic phrasing.Though her career was short and troubled, she recorded a lot, which means novice collectors must avoid innumerable bear traps.In general, her later work should be ignored, by then she was wearing her emotional problems like an ugly hat, despair manifested itself in performances so lackluster they're depressing at best, frequently downright tragic.
A serious and great artist's best work, you need these sides
If there were some way to award music 200 stars, I am sure all of us would have done so for this set!
Descent Compilation
Apart from the fact that some of my favorite Billie Holiday songs are missing...its still a very good intro to those first timers.I first heart HOliday when I was 18 years old..and 5 years later...I still can't get enough of her ...she's such a great singer...along with Ella Fitzgerald she is the only one who can bring me to tears. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ballads    2. Classic Female Blues    3. Jazz    4. Jazz Music    5. Jazz Vocals    6. Pop    7. Standards    8. Swing    9. Torch Songs    10. Traditional Pop    11. United States of America    12. Vocal Jazz   

Editorial Review

Ella Fitzgerald's voice was satin to Louis Armstrong's sandpaper, but when you put them together on a single song, their chemistry was unimpeachable. This disc selects highlights from the three albums they made together at Verve (including their Read more

Reviews (51)

A Must-Have for Anyone Who Hopes to Understand American Music
I picked up this one to replace my seldom-played LP, "Ella and Louis."Like most collections, it suffers a bit from uneven textures (the lush orchestration of "Summertime" seems like an intrusion on the intimate rapport established in the preceding numbers) and audio quality (variances in mics, mixing and engineering can be hard to disguise).So go with "Ella and Louis" unless some of the tunes on this "Best of--" anthology seem absolutely essential.