Editorial Review

You haven't heard "Jingle Bells" until you've heard Barbra Streisand's version. Sounding more like a bebop Santa on Read more

Reviews (33)

What a greedy bitch
Could this woman get any more money hungry?Last week there was a story how she and her husband tried to get comped to get into see Mission Impossible 3.Come on!Two movie tickets cost $20.This one Jew who fits the stereotype, and gives all Jews a bad name.

One of Barbra's best
This is a GREAT Christmas album.Barbra was in superb voice, although, she recorded it over a weekend break while filming FUNNY GIRL and the story has always been that she had a cold and didn't feel like she should record...but she did because the time was all booked, the musicians were all rehearsed and it was ready, get set, go.
Barbra Streisand: A Christmas Album (1967)
In October of 1967, in the same month & year of releasing her ninth album SIMPLY STREISAND, Barbra Streisand released her tenth album as well. This tenth album turned out to be a Holiday album entitled, A CHRISTMAS ALBUM. I have thoroughly enjoyed this album and you will too when I give the tracklisting, with my explanations.
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Subjects:  1. Christmas    2. Christmas / Chanukkah    3. Christmas Music    4. Holiday    5. Pop    6. Xmas Vocal   

Editorial Review

Although his commercial triumphs rivaled Frank Sinatra's during his late 1950s breakthrough, Johnny Mathis the pop singer could seem both overshadowed and confined by that early success in the years since. But this rich, often warmly surprising entry into the contemporary Pop Standard Reinterpretation Sweepstakes finds a singer more artistically focused than he's been in years, employing a voice that remains one for the ages. His definition of "standard" here is variously classic (the majestic title track and "Love is Here to Stay"), loose (a take on Jobim's lilting "Dindi" that's the perfect showcase for every delicate nook of the singer's vibrato-rich tenor) and left-field (Herman's Hermits' brit-invasion hit "A Kind of Hush" perfectly recast as prime Mathis ballad), but his performances flow with a deceptively effortless grace that's a tribute to his nearly half-century as a recording artist. Producer/arranger Jorge Callandrelli frames Mathis in spare orchestral backdrops that allow him ample space to soar, then nudge him gently into swing mode on "This Can't Be Love" and "Day By Day." The album closes with an evocative, Read more

Reviews (18)

Beautiful Album
He must be doing something right! It's amazing how well he has preserved the strength and quality of his voice throughout the years. Great album! Buy it! "The Rainbow Connection" and "Cottage For Sale" will bring you to tears.
Very nice,indeed !
I like J.M. a lot and currently I enjoy this beautiful album.
I Love This Guy ! !
I cannot believe I am the first to review this CD!! I have listened to Johnny Mathis since I discovered him when I was 11 years old. I have never been to a concert of his, but I will be looking foward to the future. This man has a voice that doesnt quit, he improves with age. No he can't hit those high notes anymore but even so he now can get down to the lower notes. I cannot believe he is 70 years old. His voice is as young as he looks. If you are a JM fan then you will love this CD. I can't say enough...buy this!! No disapointment here. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ballads    2. Pop    3. Pop Vocals    4. Show Tunes    5. Traditional Pop    6. United States of America    7. Vocal    8. Vocal Pop   

Features

• Soundtrack

Reviews (5)

Liza's in fine form
Liza was in fine form for this 1977 film.Everything was top notch, although the film was less enthusiastically received than everyone hoped.That said, Liza was in good voice, toning herself down and really being true to the period.The instrumentals (with Georgie Auld on sax) were excellent and the other singers -- Diahann Abbott, the then Mrs. DeNiro, in a solid turn on "Honeysuckle Rose" and Mary Kay Place as a band singer hired to replace Liza when her character split from DeNiro's -- are both solid and winning.
New York, New York
This CD is an excellent recording.Liza Minelli has one of the BEST versions of the song New York, New York ever performed.The orchestration is top notch.

Classic & An All-Time Favorite
One of my all-time favorite films & soundtrack albums with great big-band era music. The numbers were arranged by the late Ralph Burns (Cabaret & All That Jazz), who had worked in that era and knew it well. Liza Minnelli used singers like Peggy Lee for vocal inspiration, and the film even has her doing an imitation of Lee while recording a demo, Kander & Ebb's "There Goes the Ballgame". In fact, you wouldn't know it was Liza, just hearing her sing the '40s-era numbers! (I wish she'd incorporate that singing style again, especially now that her voice has changed somewhat.) Of course, she reverts back to her usual Judy/Liza showbiz-belting style when her character becomes a Hollywood star. In fact, the uncut version of "Happy Endings" is a wonderful tribute to and affectionate satire of big '50s showbiz musicals, like "A Star is Born". (Liza's character and relationship to DeNiro's in the movie, however, are based more on the real-life story of big-band girl-singer and movie star Doris Day than Garland.) In my opinion, this is one of the best big-band recordings made after that era had faded and a wonderful Minnelli recording, as well. This is also the film where she introduced "But the World Goes 'Round" and - of course - "Theme from New York, New York". ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Musicals    2. Pop    3. Soundtrack    4. Soundtracks & Film Scores   

Editorial Review

With his controversial Read more

Features

• Cast Recording
• Soundtrack

Reviews (80)

An easy way to tell which version of this show you'll prefer:
As you may be aware, there are two musical versions of WILD PARTY: this one, written by Andrew Lippa, which premiered off-Broadway, and another version written by Michael John LaChiusa which premiered on Broadway.
I like them both (warning: LONG review)
I was sketchy about purchasing this recording because I am a huge fan of the Lippa musical and I didn't want to become part of the "Which One Is Better" debate that rages on theatre message boards everywhere. (The ardent hatred of fans for one or the other boarders on terrifying.) However I got it because I care very much about the characters involved and wanted to see a different spin on how they were presented. I got exactly that. The two musicals could not diverge more and I found that in hearing both I found in each one a few things that the other lacked. For example, in Lippa's version the characterization is put almost entirely to the four leads, Queenie/Burrs Black/Kate, and the other guests are reduced to caricatures and stereotypes. Eddie and Mae are merely Fae Ray and King Kong, big and dumb love small blond and dumb, and have an annoying lyrically vapid song about how much they love each other. The D'Armarno Brother/lovers are merely there to provide the effeminate homosexual characters that every modern show of the last six years needs and the dancer Jackie is merely an ensemble member whom, for some entirely unexplained reason entirely out of Lippa's imagination, had his tongue cut out. In this version both these couples have complex subplots full of jealousy, emptiness and reconciliation. (The song "Eddie & Mae" is my favorite on the disc and Marc Kudisch is glorious as a manic depressive Jackie.) However the lead couples are not as delved into as Lippa's lovers are. The Queenie/Burrs/Black triangle is very disjointed. One minute Black is a smooth player caring for nothing but money, the next he's madly in love with Queenie. During the song "Gin/Wild" Queenie tearfully defends Burrs against the other women at the party, three tracks later she screams that she wants to see him dead. Lippa's Queenie is torn between both men and her love for each even after the final number has ended as she weeps over Burrs' dead body while begging Black "if they find you, you'll get the chair." I was also disappointed by LaChuisa Burrs as far as characterization went. Burrs is my favorite character in the Lippa version because of the fine line he walks between his love for Queenie and his insane jealous rage. He is Lippa's shining star in terms of depth where all the other characters fall short. (You'll need to listen to the CD in order to truly understand this)LaChuisa's Burrs is just as delightful in his moments of fury but misses the side of the character that loves and needs his woman. You don't care much for his plight because there's no real sadness, just anger.
Good, Though Prefer Other "Party"
In 2000, New York was graced with not one, but two musicals based on the same source material, Joseph Moncure March's poem about Prohibition excesses called "The Wild Party".
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Subjects:  1. Musical    2. Original Cast Recordings    3. Pop    4. Show Tunes    5. Showtunes / B'way    6. Soundtracks   

Reviews (33)

Smooth
If there is one word that describes Dean Martin's singing style, it would be "smooth." This wonderful album contains fifteen Christmas songs, all given that great Dean Martin sound. Most of the tunes are upbeat, such as Let It Snow, Jingle Bells, and A Marshmallow World, but there are some more mellow ones, like Blue Christmas, I'll Be Home For Christmas and The Christmas Blues.
Once again Dean Martin gives us the best!
As a longtime Dean Martin fan, I have had this CD and Seasons' Greetings for a few years and everytime I listen to Making Spirits Bright I get chills. That man could sing with such an ease and charm you do not get today. His witty way of having fun with a tune as in Jingle Bells, his voice in I'll be Home For Christmas and Blue Christmas make me want to cry for Christmases past that were missed. His Rendition of White Christmas is right next Bing Crosby and his Silent Night can make you picture yourself in an old beautiful church decorated for the season listening. It was 10 years ago this Christmas Dean Martin left this earth, but he left us a totally lastly legacy.

Dean Martin has a great time making spirits bright
"Making Spirits Bright" gets to be the definitive Dean Martin holiday record because it is able to drawn on the crooner's recordings for both Capitol and Reprise and the producers of this 1998 collection seem to have culled the best of both worlds.The only song that seems out of play is "Silent Night," because it is the only religious song among the 15 tracks, and having Dino sing "round young virgin, mother and child" on the same album where he is doing "Baby, It's Cold Outside" strains the limits of my acceptance.The album does have the virtue of beginning and ending with the quintessential Dean Martin holiday songs, "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" (the Capitol versions starts the album and the Reprise version finishes it off).There is an inherent casualness to the way Martin sings most of these songs, such as "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm," "Blue Christmas," and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" that is rather charming.It is impossible not to think of Martin singing these songs with a drink in one hand.Then again, how many holiday albums show a couple of champagne glasses on the cover? (and what did you think was meant by the "Spirits" in the title?). But Martin is not always out to have fun with each song, as he shows on "Silver Bells" and "White Christmas."Dean Martin as a sing of Christmas songs is certainly not to everyone's tastes, but if you are open to this type of holiday music then "Making Spirits Bright" is as good as it gets. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christmas    2. Christmas / Chanukkah    3. Christmas Music    4. Holiday    5. Pop    6. Traditional Pop    7. Vocal Pop    8. Xmas Vocal   

Editorial Review

One of the most conceptually daring of Sinatra's Capitol albums returns to print in this 24-bit remaster. Read more

Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (16)

Superlatives are not adequate....
Frank Sinatra has to be the finest performer and recording artist of the 20th Century. A music critic mentioned 'something very special had to be going on inside the man to produce music like he has'. I always thought this statement captured a very accurate profile of Sinatra.
"Wherever You Go, My Heart Will Go, Too. . .What Can I Do? It Only Wants To Be . . .Close To You"
"Close to you, I will always stay
Companion Piece
This album is the other book-end to go with "Only the Lonely". Frank Sinatra did much, much work, but never exceeded these albums in artistic quality, i.e. addressing the human condition in universal terms, and with a maximum of un-forced feeling. Sweets Edison, of course, is the constant commentator through his muted horn who never fails to synch in with judicious sensibility and right-on sensitivity. "Close to You" equals "OTL" in nostalgic chops, but floats more serenely above the depths. In this album the depths are plainly there to contemplate, while in the other one you are IN the depths. ... Read more

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

Features

• Live

Reviews (12)

Live Concert At The Forum
Barbra is EXCELLENT! lISTEN TO HER MANY TIMES.
One of Her Best Live Offerings
To me this CD and her later One Voice are her 2 best Live offerings. I did not care for her 1996 Tour and it's many CD offerings as that tour focused too much on her Broadway, and other movie related songs and did not feature enough of her more contemporary offerings.
Barbra Streisand: Live Concert At The Forum (1972)
In October of 1972, Barbra Streisand released her sixteenth album entitled, LIVE CONCERT AT THE FORUM, Barbra's second live concert album. This album is just as great as A HAPPENING IN CENTRAL PARK, and I'll explain to you why that is.
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Subjects:  1. Musicals    2. Pop    3. Pop Vocals    4. Popular Music    5. Soft Rock    6. Vocal   

Editorial Review

Like Bing Crosby's "White Christmas," Nat Cole's "The Christmas Song" stands as one of two or three pillars of holiday music. This collection of songs and greetings includes another technologically induced daughter-father duet on Mel Torme's classic hit as well daddy Cole's 1961 version of the tune. Fans of both Natalie and her dad will put this on the top of their wish lists. Two previously unreleased tracks--"God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman" and "O Come All Ye Faithful"--will prompt a lot of lovers of Christmas music to fall in love again with Cole's incomparable style and timeless voice. Read more

Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (31)

A grotesque collection
Whenever I hear this collection of Christmas songs, any joy that may have been within me suddenly leaves me and I feel a deathly heaviness. From the eponymous mawkish opener onwards, nothing could be more emblematic of the deadening, empty side of Christmas. "Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe / Help to make the season bright" croons Nat in his syrupy voice. How romantic is a slab of dead beast? Another real highlight is the near-hysterical fakeness of 'Come All Ye Faithful', with its film-music style backing chorus. By the time we reach 'The Happiest Christmas Tree', a truly moronic ditty, any sane person will be reaching for the carpet cutter. Don't do it, folks.
Best Christmas Album Ever
This is the best Christmas album ever, and all you need for Christmas music.Nothing more needs to be said.

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
"Chestnuts roasting on an open fire" is the opening line of this album,originally released in late 1963. THE CHRISTMAS SONG is one of the late Nat King Cole's best all-time recordings next to RAMBLIN' ROSE,UNFORGETTABLE and I DON'T WANT TO BE HURT ANYMORE. This Capitol Records album still sells well every holiday season. Originally available in both mono and stereo,the LP had 14 tracks. It was re-issued in 1999 with six bonus previously unreleased tracks(posthumously,Cole passed away in 1965). On the cover,Cole is comfortably seated by a fireplace with a Christmas tree surrounded by wrapped gifts nearby. I hear THE CHRISTMAS SONG over the satellite feed at my workplace. This album won a gold Grammy because a minimum of one million copies,but less than two million,of the album were sold in 1963. Some copies of this album display the RIAA(Recording Industry Association of America) Gold Record Award logo on the cover. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christmas    2. Christmas / Chanukkah    3. Christmas Music    4. Holiday    5. Pop    6. Traditional Pop    7. Vocal Jazz    8. Xmas Vocal   

Editorial Review

A wonderful meeting of two institutions of American music, this 1954 album was the finest recording of Louis Armstrong's later career, with the great trumpeter-singer turning to material that was very close to his roots. Both W.C. Handy and Armstrong had a complex relationship with the blues, an essential source for both Handy's popular songs and Armstrong's improvisational art, and these recordings touch on the heart of the matter. On "Yellow Dog Blues," a product of Handy's own early and chance encounter with the rural blues, there's a majesty that recalls Armstrong's early recordings with Bessie Smith. Armstrong is clearly inspired by the classic material and the chance to stretch out on record, and his regular band of the period joins in perfectly. Trombonist Trummy Young, clarinetist Barney Bigard, pianist Billy Kyle, and singer Velma Middleton contribute stellar solos and support, while bassist Arvell Shaw and drummer Barrett Deems do an exceptional job of keeping the slower tempos rock steady.This is a deeply moving and consummately executed performance. Read more

Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (26)

The Beauty of Classical Jazz
What a magnificent CD!
Armstrong Plays Handy
Great Album. Five stars.
The BestBlues of Louis Armstrong,WC Handy & Co.
I generally prefer more modern jazz to Louis Armstrong;but there are generally exceptions to anything-and this is really beautiful stuff.The cd kicks off with a terrific version of Handy's timeless classic,'The St. Louis Blues' with Armstrong playing and singing with Velma Middleton-and keeps kickin'.Also included are interviews of Armstrong and Handy-and the sound will blow you away.. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Classic Jazz    2. Dixieland    3. Jazz    4. Jazz Music    5. Jazz Traditional    6. New Orleans Jazz    7. Pop    8. Vocal Jazz   

Reviews (5)

King Cole Trio, Greatest Small Band Ever
Nat Cole was a great band leader and arranger besides being a great vocalist and pianist.The first eleven selections are outstanding "Jumpin' At Capitol" through "Rhumba Azul."The next four are basically piano solos with accompanment by the guitar and the bass.The last three are average with annoying bongos/congas.But the first eleven with what Will Friedwald termed the greatest edition of the King Cole Trio (Cole, guitarist Oscar Moore and bassist Johnny Miller) overwhelmingly makes this a five-star CD album that the inferior quality of the last seven does not detract from it.In my opinion, Capitol should have included "I Know That You Know," "To A Wild Rose," "Rex Rhumba,""In The Cool Of The Evening," and "Laguna Mood" in lieu of the last seven.
Oscar's Primary Progenitor?
If like me you came to jazz after 1955, chances are you're quite familiar with Nat the pop singing star but know far less about his piano prowess.This is the album that finally set the record straight for me--he was above all a talented, creative jazz pianist whose sensual voice seduced not only the public but Nat as well into listening exclusively to its promises of fame and fortune.Had he not sung a note, he would no doubt have taken his place right alongside Teddy Wilson and Art Tatum.In fact, listening to him on this album is so much like hearing Oscar Peterson (who ironically inherited Nat's singing voice as well) that I've had to revise my life-long assumption that Oscar was above all a descendant of Tatum.The Cole lineage seems ever more traceable, especially when you consider that one of Oscar's favorite jazz performances was "Easy Listening Blues," one of 18 tracks on this CD. GREAT ALBUM
After Listening to this Disc You will say what COuldn't Nat King Cole do? Nat&Crew are Unstoppable here.A Must. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Jazz Music    2. Jump Blues    3. Pop    4. Pop Vocals    5. Swing    6. Traditional Pop    7. Vocal    8. Vocal Jazz   

Editorial Review

This CD won Grammy Awards in 1995 for Album of the Year and Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance. Recorded live with Tony Bennett's long-standing accompanists Ralph Sharon on piano, Doug Richeson on bass, and Clayton Cameron on drums, the set includes more than 20 songs, many of them standards Bennett has sung for years, such as "Old Devil Moon," "I Wanna Be Around," "I Left My Heart in San Francisco," "All of You," and "Body and Soul." Guest artists k.d. lang and Elvis Costello appear on, respectively, "Moonglow" and "They Can't Take That Away from Me." It's a joyful romp for Frank Sinatra's favorite singer. Read more

Features

• Enhanced
• Live

Reviews (19)

"Time Is So Old And Love So Brief, Love Is Pure Gold And Time A Thief"
"We're late, darling, we're late
tony keeps it real
I guess as you get older, tastes change.I bought this cd years back when I saw Tony on Mtv, and now I can't stop listening to it.What I like is how real and how genuine the songs are, as well as how real Mr. Cool aka Tony Bennett is himself.This guy rocks.Lots of personality and one heck of a voice, you won't find a more natural and talented performer than TB.This disc is full of classics so you can't go wrong.Nice mix of tempo in terms of upbeat songs and ballads, plus the cool guests stop in to put their spin on the material.Top notch musicians as well.
good disc, but received a crack
in mailing the jewel case was cracked long and diagonal down the front, must have happened in shipment, otherwise the CD is in good shape. ... Read more

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

Features

• Import

Reviews (3)

Perfection..
We especially listen "The Collection",and surely all his albums are favorable.. I like "Come Back Liza","Cotton Fields" and "Hava Nageela" most, as several unforgettable oldies...

Ultimate Collection~ Harry Belafonte
Ultimate Collection with Harry Belafonte is an amazing collection from a true crooner of calypso and island folk music. He has an amazing vocal ability and the lyrics for his tracks are quite well done and never sound forced or phony. It is true that most of the tracks are not written by Belafonte himself. However, still takes nothing from this collection of amazing island and calypso tracks such as Banana boat, Mary's boy child and many other nice tracks that are amazing to listen to and if one has a decent vocal abilities (like I do) then they are fun to sing as well. The book-let looks cheap but the photo is nice and shows Belafonte looking suave. This is a great summer album whilst drinking some gin and tonic.

My long search is over
I been searching for years for a song on this CD.A wonderful collection of Belafonte classics and some more obscure recordings.I really enjoy his version of some old folk songs. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Calypso    2. Caribbean Folk    3. Easy Listening/Vocal    4. Pop    5. Pop Vocals    6. Traditional Folk    7. Traditional Pop    8. Vocal   

Editorial Review

Nat King Cole, Bing Crosby, and Johnny Mathis are the three kings of Christmas song, traditionally speaking. Mathis, with his warm, tender vocal style, touches on 14 songs here thateveryone will know, from "Silent Night" to "Sleigh Ride," "Silver Bells" to the Broadway number "We Need a Little Christmas." There probably aren't many homes in America that don't have or haven't heard a Johnny Mathis Christmas song played at one time or another. This 1993 set features Mathis's favorite self-processed renditions of the numerous songs he's recorded over the years, including "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year," heard and seen on 1998's Gap holiday ads, with Mathis, seemingly in timeless voice again, crooning like Father Christmas in front of a big, rich orchestra. Wonders never cease. Read more

Reviews (16)

The Christmas Music of Johnny Mathis
I Love this CD. Johnny Mathis has a unique voice and while I was watching the Belagio Water Show with Johnny Mathis singing, I knew I needed this CD. It is awesome!!!He is a Classic!!
beautiful christmas music.
I love the Christmas music of Johnny Mathis. There was not one song on this cd, that I did not enjoy.Beautiful, Christmas music to put you into the holiday mood.

A must own for yourcollection!Buy it!
This is pure Mathis! This is all you need when you think of Christmas music.A very good collection. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ballads    2. Christmas    3. Christmas / Chanukkah    4. Christmas Music    5. Holiday    6. Musical Theater    7. Pop    8. Pop-Soul    9. Show Tunes    10. Smooth Soul    11. Standards    12. Traditional Pop    13. Vocal Pop    14. Xmas Vocal   

Editorial Review

The Country Music Foundation offers 104 songs--more than four hours of music--even though Patsy Cline died at 30 after less than a decade of recording. Given the wavering quality of her later string-laden work, four CDs might be excessive, but this set comprehensively follows Cline from upstart country boomer to pop diva. She could take charge of a song from day one, as the two 1954 radio transcriptions prove. On her vibrant late-1950s work, she moves from honky-tonk and rockabilly to soft ballads in commanding fashion. "Walkin After Midnight," her first hit, features Don Helms's gentle steel guitar while her vocals blend raw power with emotional vulnerability. By 1957, vocal groups had entered into the mix, and in 1961, hits such as "I Fall to Pieces," "She's Got You," and Willie Nelson's "Crazy" brought her pop stardom.Read more

Features

• Box set

Reviews (26)

A Classic Patsy Cline
I just bought a 2 CD Boxed set of Patsy Cline and listening to her is something else.We lost a great singer way too early back in the early 60s during that terrible tragic plane crash.She is definitely a classic woman. I would highly recommend this boxed set to anyone who likes the oldies.I am definitely going to get this one to go with the others that I have of Patsy Cline.

i recommend this
if you like good country music this is the one you need to get i highly recommend this, the very best in old school music

Should be required listening for all current country stars....
I love old country music, because it's so real and authentic compared to modern country music (I feel the same way about other avenues of art as well, like films and rock music).Today's country's performers sound so watered down and fake, either shouting out right wing propaganda (Toby Keith, Charlie Daniels), or crooning crappy, insulting "greeting card" lyrics (just about everyone else).Then you listen to Patsy's voice, and it's so real, haunting, and SINCERE that you don't want to say anything while she's singing.Bob Dylan had said that about Hank Williams's voice too, and I adore Hank as well.Both Patsy and Hank really lived what they sang.You can hear the truth in every song they ever did.I bought this collection a long time ago, and didn't play it for the longest time.I recently rediscovered it, and it was like seeing an old flame that you realised you had wronged, and are now hoping to make up with her or him.This is great music.Listen to it over and over again...
Read more

Subjects:  1. Country    2. Country & Western    3. Country Boogie    4. Nashville Sound/Countrypolitan    5. Pop    6. Rockabilly    7. Traditional Country    8. United States of America   

Reviews (7)

Not even worth the money
I love Sinatra but this is not one of the best CD's to buy especially if it will be the first in your collection. Not the best tracks,I wish I purchased another...

Pure Gold
Gold by Frank Sinatra 12 Great Songs On One Great CD!
When ever I go on vacation, I ALWAYS take this CD with me. All the songs on the CD are among my favorite Sinatra recordings. The CD quality is absolutely wonderful, clear as a bell. When I listen to it on headphones...I can almost swear that Ol' Blue Eyes himself is singing in my ear! I recommended this CD to anyone who wants to get to know what Frank Sinatra sounded like or would want to relive the memories of a time long gone by. ... Read more

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

Editorial Review

The first of three albums that Frank Sinatra recorded with swing legend Count Basie, Read more

Reviews (27)

the first of three
this is the first of three albums that Frank recorded with Count Basie.I've got em' all.Frank stated that he had waited over twenty years to record this album, and it was worth the wait.One of his best.An interesting contrast is the album Frank did with Duke Ellington (Francis A. and Edward K.), which is also another EXCELLENT album to get.

A triumph for both men and a pleasure for the rest of us
The Count Basie band had been a favourite of Frank's for some time beforehand and they made two albums with him , of which this is the first .
Swing Baby...Swing!
This album conjures up images of whiskey and cigarettes as part of a good life...not bad habits. The Basie orchestra cooks with propane fuel and reminds me of a happy dog thumping it's tail. This is a great gift for those who are just learning about the Chairman. I have this permanently loaded in my car player. Dame's love this stuff! Snap your fingers, tap your toes, and sing along out loud. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ballads    2. Big Band    3. Pop    4. Pop Vocals    5. Popular Music    6. Standards    7. Swing    8. Traditional Pop    9. Vocal    10. Vocal Jazz   

Editorial Review

One of the pioneers of the country pop "Nashville Sound" of the late '50s and early '60s, Patsy Cline's remarkable voice still resonates amongst vocalists today, in pop as well as country. Her earthy yet studied approach as a singer gave such records as '57's "Walkin' after Midnight" and 1961's "Crazy" (penned by Willie Nelson) a unique quality unmatched since her death in a 1963 plane crash. This 24-track retrospective was originally released shortly thereafter and includes all of her classics such as the above tracks as well as "She's Got You," and "Sweet Dreams." It also features some nice extras, such as her takes on standards such as "San Antonio Rose" and "The Wayward Wind." Read more

Reviews (17)

The ultimate Patsy Cline collection
If you want one CD with all the hits and more, this is the one.It's too bad that Patsy Cline set the standard so high, because no one can seem to even get close!Makes a great dinner date background music record, also.!

Setting the standard for those that followed
Patsy set the standard for female country singers, with many of those that followed trying (or so it seemed) to be the next Patsy Cline - even today, forty years after her death in a plane crash. All but one of Patsy's classic songs can be found on this collection. Crazy was a top ten pop hit in America and (in 1990) a top twenty hit in Britain. Heartaches was Patsy's first American top forty pop hit. Don Gibson wrote Sweet dreams and had a big country hit with it, but once Patsy recorded it, it became much more popular and will be forever thought of as a Patsy Cline song. She's got you was an American top twenty pop hit and was also Patsy's first British hit, albeit only a minor one I fall to pieces was yet another top twenty pop hit in America. Walking after midnight is the song that began it all for Patsy in the fifties. Poor man's roses, Back in baby's arms and Leaving on your mind are other Patsy classics included here. The only serious omission is Faded love, a cover of a Bob Wills song that, like Sweet dreams, is regarded as a Patsy Cline classic despite being a cover.
Essential Cline
This is the one to get for your collection.Sheer enjoyment!A great talent captured here to be enjoyed over and over again.If only we could have comparable contemporary talent.The nuisances and song interpretations are subtle, yet outstanding! ... Read more

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

Reviews (3)

One of the first of the "duets" albums
With the recent release of Tony Bennett's duets album, I was reminded of an album in my collection that I had not reviewed: "Better Together: The Duet Album" from 1991.At the time of the album's release, Johnny Mathis had been a musical legend for almost four decades.
Johnny teams up with some of the best pop and soul divas.
Duets with such noteworthy pop and soul divas as Dionne Warwick, Deneice Williams, Jane Olivor, Regina Belle, Angela Bofill and Patti Austin m