CD-Charts Position 111
Average Rating:

Billie Holiday: The Complete Decca Recordings

CD-Charts > Music > Classic Vocalists
by: Billie Holiday

Release Date October 01, 1991
I'll state the obsevation, and then give my solution. What I observed with this collection (as with many other complete sets) is that they include the unreleased alternate takes with the released takes. 9 times out of 10, there's a reason why it was never released in the first place.
However, there are those that like that about the album, thus it is not to shoot them down.

Also, I really question whether this was her "peak" period. People that say this have not heard her Commodore releases, or her Verve releases.

Here's a good solution for those that don't want more than the original release of the songs. Pick up "The Lady Sings" boxed set from Proper recordings (it's a boxed set, and dirt cheap, with primo sound ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 112
Average Rating:

Jimmy Durante's Way of Life...

CD-Charts > Music > Classic Vocalists
by: Jimmy Durante, Gordon Jenkins Orchestra And Chorus

Release Date February 03, 1998
Jimmy Durante shows us his dream of what life should be... We should all dream like that and at least try to put it in practice. Perfect band creating the perfect mood for a dream CD.

CD-Charts Position 113
Average Rating:

Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Cole Porter Songbook, Vol. 1

CD-Charts > Music > Classic Vocalists
by: Ella Fitzgerald

Release Date October 25, 1990
If you're a Cole Porter fan and an Ella Fitzgerald fan, you get the best of both worlds here. Her interpretations of Mr. Porter's songs make this a listening delight and so darn hot!

CD-Charts Position 114
Average Rating:

Frank Sinatra - Vol. 2-Greatest Hits

CD-Charts > Music > Classic Vocalists
by: Frank Sinatra

Release Date October 25, 1990
I haven't yet acquired Sinatra's complete Reprise recordings, so I needed this and Greatest Hits! (volume 1) to compliment my Reprise Collection
4-CD box set. The two Reprise/WB Greatest Hits have numerous singles and tracks from the 60's that are not on the 4 CD box.

Buyers be aware - as of November 2007, when I ordered this from Amazon I received a copy that was an import from Canada. It's identical to the U.S. version, except for some fine print on the back, and a slightly different catalog code number on the edge.

CD-Charts Position 115
Average Rating:

The Wizard Of Oz: 1998 Cast Recording (Madison Square Garden Cast)

CD-Charts > Music > Classic Vocalists
by: Harold Arlen, E. Y. Harburg

Release Date September 15, 1998
I had to rate 3 because I had to rate in the middle. This album can be good or bad, depending on who is listening to it. It is good for those who want simple, upbeat, quick, renditions of the song. It is not good for those looking to hear the songs in their entirety or attempt to learn them for a stage production (There are WAY too many cuts and changes to do that here!). I bought this album because I am an Oz collector. Also, I will give them credit on their decision to include the Witch in "The Jitterbug."

Jessica Grove` has a beautiful voice, however, a bit too operatic for the role of Dorothy. Lara Teeter, an amazing Scarecrow (and you may also note this was not his first time in the role). The rest of the cast is pretty good. But lets get this clear: Mickey ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 116
Average Rating:

The Intimate Ella

CD-Charts > Music > Classic Vocalists
by: Ella Fitzgerald

Release Date June 01, 1990
Ella Fitzgerald could sing the phone book to you and when she was finished you'd be giving her your own very special standing ovation, begging her for more! Ella's singular talent made her more than a superstar; she was a rare gem and I doubt we'll ever see another quite like her. This CD offers us tracks that allow Ella to expand her jazzy interpretations into more traditional ballads and cabaret songs. Paul Smith does an excellent job of accompanying Ella on the piano.

The CD set starts with "Black Coffee." The piano arrangement glows and Ella sings "Black Coffee" passionately. Ella's excellent diction bolsters her performance of this rather bluesy song; in fact from the very start Ella bats this one straight out of the ballpark! Ella's vocal range and interpretation let her ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 117
Average Rating:

Bing! His Legendary Years, 1931 to 1957

CD-Charts > Music > Classic Vocalists
by: Bing Crosby

Release Date September 28, 1993
Bing - The Legendary Years
Review

This is the only disc, or set of discs, I own where I can say I love every selection on every disc. I can't even say that about Elvis. More about Elvis later...

A bit about how I came to this set of CDs. I grew up with White Christmas, the song and the movie. I occasionally heard another song by Bing Crosby, and I always loved his voice. I got on a kick over the last year or so of picking up some of the singers my parents listened to while I was growing up - Andy Williams, Robert Goulet, Dean Martin, et al. I came across this 4 CD set on Amazon, read the reviews and added it to my wish list. It sat there for many months until I decided one day to just bite the bullet and buy it. I can now say it is worth every penny!

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CD-Charts Position 118
Average Rating:

Sweet Dreams: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

CD-Charts > Music > Classic Vocalists
by: Patsy Cline

Release Date October 25, 1990
PATSY CLINE AT HER "UPDATED" BEST. I HEARTILY ADVISE GETTING THIS TIMELESS CD OF HER GREATEST HITS. BELIEVE ME, YOU WON'T REGRET IT.

CD-Charts Position 119
Average Rating:

Live From Las Vegas

CD-Charts > Music > Classic Vocalists
by: Dean Martin

Release Date April 26, 2005
I purchased this CD because I couldn't find another recording of, "Mr. Wonderful" by Dean. He sings this song with a bit of humour and a LOT of strength and it really is great.

In addition to that great rendition, though, this is a CD of Dean Martin having a good time. Imagine it - the King of Cool caught in a recording where he is "just" having a good time/performance. It doesn't get any better than that. - I first listened to this CD in the Winter/Spring of 2008...FORTY years after it was recorded... and the jokes are still fresh (in more ways than one). - Oh...did I mention the guy also sings a little here and there?

As previously indicated, this is not an award-winning CD. It is, though, a great CD where an award-winning performer is doing what he did best - performing.
... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 120
Average Rating:

The Very Best of Perry Como

CD-Charts > Music > Classic Vocalists
by: Perry Como

Release Date May 10, 2004
Perry Como is without a doubt one of the best singers of the 20th century - there's no question about it.

I find it very frustrating that Frank Sinatra seems to get a lot of the publicity and credit when he wasn't really a nice man and he is most certainly very overrated. It is time Perry again got the credit he so richly deserves. DO NOT go for the 'Greatest Hits' and 'Very Best of' - CD's. All of these CD's do is highlight some of the biggest sellers. In Perry's case, many of his hugest hits were Novelty Songs. Perry was much more than these novelty songs and people must be aware of this. Start looking out for the original RCA Victor Albums and I know you will definitely change your mind. The Novelty songs are made classy by Mr. C - but with such an amazing legacy of music Mr. C produced, you can't ... Read More: