5 comments about Forty Years: The Artistry Of Tony Bennett (4CD).

1. This is a terrific 4-disc compilation of Tony Bennett's career. I received it as a gift for Christmas of 1994.
   
   Now I see a new 5-disc compilation of Tony's career has been released, entitled "50 Years: The Artistry of Tony Bennett".
   
   I wonder if it's necessary to purchase and if some rare jewels have been unearthed in the subsequent 10 years. I think I'll check the Amazon reviews for the 5-disc compilation.
   
   Terrific CD's to pop in the CD-changer and play in the house on a lazy weekend.



2. This is a fabulous 4-disc compilation of Tony in his musical prime from the 50's through the 80's. There are 87 tracks, and a 60 page booklet that contains essays by Ralph Sharon and Will Friedwald and extensive notes by Tony himself. The audio quality is outstanding, and Bennett's voice, diction, and the emotional depth of his phrasing and interpretation of the songs and lyrics is magical. This a must purchase if you collect Tony Bennett. It's a great sampling from his amazing catalog and further proof of the man's musical genius.



3. Great but I agree with Mr Rucci. Why can't we get a record of one of Mr Bennett's greatest, I Won't Cry Anymore?



4. All I want to know is why Tony Bennett's hit recording "I won't cry anymore" is not on any of his albums you are selling.



5. This is a great boxed set as far as it goes. I just wish that his release "Cinnamon Sinner" which charted as high as #8 in 1954 would be picked up on some compilation by this artist.

3 comments about Rat Pack Collection : Gold (Frank Sinatra)/The Best Of (Dean Martin)/That Old Black Magic (Sammy Davis Jr.).

1. Once you get over the blatantly pedestrian packaging and the spelling errors in the liner notes (this is quite possibly the most obvious bootleg ever), this is quit simply the best Rat Pack collection you could hope to have. Recorded in 1962 at the famous Cal Neva Lodge in Chicago, this is Frank, Dino & Sammy at their finest - uncensored, singin' and swingin'.
   
   Dean starts the show off with a few numbers, including classics like "I Left My Heart In San Francisco" and "Volare", before Frank comes out swingin' with "Goody Goody". One thing that amazed me was how good Frank soundsa at this gig. His voice is perfect - clear, precise on the money. Listen to the first lines of "Please Be Kind". Magnificent. Sammy's set is fun and entertaining, and he doesn't seem to mind the heckling by his buddies.
   
   After Sammy's set comes a medley (duel would be more appropriate a term) with Frank and Dean, trading barbs between songs and having a blast. Sam and Dean have a hilarious time on "Sam's Song". You will laugh through this entirely un-PC rendition of this classic.
   
   The cd includes 5 bonus recordings from Frank from a different date (made clear by the overall atmosphere of the crowd). These are some of the best Frank recordings you could ever hope to hear. The versions of "All The Way" and "Bewitched" are especially lovely.
   
   The sound quality is good and overall I seriously suggest picking up this recording. It's worth it.



2. The review given by greggt@stones.com was for another Rat Pack CD. Amazon had confused that CD with this "Collection". This set of three has nothing to do at all with the live performance at the Villa Venice.



3. only recording better than this is the boy's (frank, dino, and sammy) playing sam giancana's place in chicago - the villa venice !

   enjoy !

5 comments about Ballads, Blues & Big Bands: The Best of Nancy Wilson.

1. Nancy Wilson indeed is, as many reviews for this album attest, a supremely moving and vocally exciting artist captured at the threshold of her greatest years. She sings the standards repertoire with a swinging bouyancy that allowed her voice to express the joy of the song's melody and text. The musical arrangements and accompaniments vary from a duet to a trio to a big band. All of these formats and musical settings present Nancy's limber and silky voice. Listen how her voice sounds like a horn in "Midnight Sun" accompanied by a vibraphone and a discreet big band orchestra. Marvel at the way she dramatically but never cloyingly belt the lovely melodic line of "When The Sun Comes Out". Her pitch, vocal control and confident phrasing are all in full display here. Her later outputs, while still beautiful and very moving, veer a shade away from jazz and slightly became mannered but they are still top-notch and her vocal control remained as exciting as ever.
   
   This album is more than just an excellent jazz vocal album. This is an essential vocal album that transcends style and genre.



2. Superlative, magnificent, without parallel, etc, etc, etc,!

   1




3. NANCY'S MUSIC TRANSCENDS GENERATIONS; I AM FROM THAT HORRIBLE, VAPID LOT CALLED GENERATION X, BUT NANCY IS MY FAVORITE SINGER. HER MUSIC SENDS CHILLS DOWN MY SPINE; HER INTERPRETATIONS ARE UNIQUE AND POLISHED -- YET EMOTIONAL. NANCY, YOU ARE A CLASS ACT -- NO ONE QUITE REACHES YOUR LEVEL. THIS IS AN EXCELLENT COMPILATION OF HER WORK. I OWN EVERYTHING SHE HAS IN PRINT, BUT I BOUGHT THIS ONE IN ORDER TO GET A FEW MORE SONGS THAT I DIDN'T OWN BEFORE. IT WOULD BE SO GREAT IF CAPITAL RELEASED SOME OF HER OTHER 60 ALBUMS. ALSO, WITH NEWS OF NANCY RETIRING, WOULDN'T IT BE GREAT IF SHE DID ONE MORE CLASSICS ALBUM -- SORT OF LIKE "LOVE NANCY," BUT WITH A MORE JAZZY EDGE? IN ANY EVENT, BUY THIS ALBUM AND LEARN FROM THE GREATEST SONG STYLIST EVER!!!!!!!



4. I began lstening to Nancy Wilson as a little boy of 7 in 1962. Of all the great song stylist, Dinah Billie, Ella Carman, Sarah, Morgana, Cleo andothers, Nancy stands alone for delivering great songs, nomatter the style the way the writer intended. As avocalist myself, I do no hesitate to tell anyone and everyone about theinfluence this supremeartist has had and still contnues to have on me to this day. I learned nearly all of the standards from her as well as a lot of not well known material from listening to the 'Lady with a song' Ms. Wilson. I have a career in music as a song stylist because I have been taught by the very best. Thank you Nancy for all that you have been to the world and especially for what you have meant to me. Jymi.



5. I began lstening to Nancy Wilson as a little boy of 7 in 1962. Of all the great song stylist, Dinah Billie, Ella Carman, Sarah, Morgana, Cleo andothers, Nancy stands alone for delivering great songs, nomatter the style the way the writer intended. As avocalist myself, I do no hesitate to tell anyone and everyone about theinfluence this supremeartist has had and still contnues to have on me to this day. I learned nearly all of the standards from her as well as a lot of not well known material from listening to the 'Lady with a song' Ms. Wilson. I have a career in music as a song stylist because I have been taught by the very best. Thank you Nancy for all that you have been to the world and especially for what you have meant to me. Jymi.

5 comments about Yesterday & Today: A Celebration in Song.

1. Like fellow Italo-American Frank Sinatra, Perry Como was a product of the Big Band era and also like Frank he managed to re-invent himself for the 1950s youth market in such a fashion that, during the height of the birth of R&R, there was Perry, again like Frank, putting out hit after hit after hit.
   
   In fact, from his first Billboard Pop Top/Hot 100 singles hit in 1955 [Ko Ko Mo (I Love You So), which made it to # 2 in March, to his last in 1974 [Christmas Dream which peaked at # 92 in December], he put no less than 48 songs into those charts, most with the backing of Mitchell Ayres & His Orchestra, and many with the additional voices of the Ray Charles Singers. He also added another 16 to the Adult Contemporary (AC) charts after they were introduced in 1961, two of which also made the Hot 100 "buble under" listings.
   
   Add those to the 64 he charted between his first in 1943 [Goodbye Sue - # 20] and (There's No Place Like) Home For The Holidays which topped out at # 8 in December 1954, and that's 128 hit singles.
   
   Then there were the 29 EPs, eight 10" albums, and FORTY-SEVEN 12" albums released over the years, along with his highly successful TV shows, Christmas specials, and personal appearances, all of which means there were very few periods over five decades when you DIDN'T hear a Perry Como song somewhere.
   
   All of this is chronicled in the beautiful 73-page booklet which comes with this set and which includes 49 pages of some of the most comprehensive liner notes you'll ever find in any CD package, written by the well-known music historian/author Colin Escott, a COMPLETE discography of his singles/EP/LP efforts, including chart performances and label numbers and, for the 71 selections in the three CDs, back-up artist details.
   
   There are also numerous photos, poster reproductions, magazine covers, etc., and the covers of all his 12" LPs. In short, just a wonderful package presenting some of the best performances of a man who, always appearing in sartorial splendor, entertained countless millions during a softer, gentler time.



2. 'Perry Como: Yesterday and Today ~ A celebration in song' is by far one of the best box set compilation efforts of Como material currently available (From the RCA/BMG Label)!
   
   With so many songs recorded by Perry Como throughout his long association with RCA Records and over his entire career, it is impossible (pardon the pun), to sum up Perry's career thoroughly in a 3 CD box set! You could make a 3 CD box set of just the best of Perry's 1940's work! However! This is definitely a good effort!
   
   The box set consists of 3, well presented CD's with all recording dates for each individual song and other relevant information within the liner notes! The 3 CD's come housed in a very smart 'Keeper' box which also lists all the tracks. A very special added bonus is the excellent and very thorough booklet, briefly outlinging Como's entire career complete with Biography, Discography and many popular and rare photo's! The booklet contains more than 70 pages, which all have a shiny gloss finish and are thick and hard-wearing!
   
   The tracks focused on in this collection range the entire of Perry's association with RCA Records (1943-1987). This collection includes selections of everything from 'Goodbye Sue' to 'The Wind beneath my wings' (So there is a big scope of work included!)
   
   Pleasingly, every track included is in chronological order and sounds great! Disc 1 and 2 focus entirely on the 1940's and 1950's. Disc 3 focuses on partially the 1950's, but mainly on the 1960's, 1970's and 1980's.
   
   All the selections are great and it is pleasing that they haven't gone for the obvious tracks at every chance!
   
   As well as including many of the popular songs, this collection has a good selection of rarities. The rarities include The full version of 'You are never far away from the me', 'Try a little tenderness', 'Unchained Melody' and 'Bumming around'!
   
   Another pleasing fact to know about this compilation is that all tracks have been re-mixed and re-mastered from original release masters and metal parts where available. So, the sound is instantly better than normal. To improve on that, the engineering has been well done. This compilation was produced by Paul Williams, who along with his associates, have produced a number of superb Perry Como CD releases. Perry Como releases bearing such names as Paul Williams within the credits are definitely worth buying - you won't be dissapointed by the overall selection and mastering of each collection!
   
   With over 70 songs within this compilation, this CD is definitely a winner for Perry Como and all round music fans Worldwide!
   
   Perry Como's voice is definitely captured beautifully within this collection. His faultless singing is certainly portrayed here not just by his novelty songs, but by his overall versatility as a singer! The only thing lacking is Faith and Inspirational songs of which there are only a couple of any relevance! Also, there is only 1 example of Perry's beautiful and highly impressive albums associated with Hugo and Luigi! There isn't anything from 'Mr. President', 'By request' or the others, except 'The songs I love' of which the 1 track comes from!
   
   However, this is by far one of the most definitive Perry Como collections currently available as it does in some way (whether major or minor) delve into all the different types of songs Mr. C sung (except the Christmas genre!)
   
   Whether each area has been portrayed correctly is definitely a matter of opinion and taste! I would personally say, many areas focused of Perry's career covered in this collection could have been expanded to explore more of each genre! Even though everything is covered in some way, there are many 100's and 100's and 100's more recordings that could have been included.
   
   With such consistant and high quality work produced by Mr. C, it must be a really daunting task trying to select tracks for a Como collection!
   
   Now volume 2 please!
   
   Superb listening!
   
   Matthew Long
   (An enormous Perry Como fan of a much younger generation!)



3. 3 discs of Mr. C is probably 2 too many, as CD 1 is a little creaky with nostalgic ditties and novelties, and CD 3 is weighed down by honey-lovin' me-and-my-baby whimsy. However, there are some very fine, champagne-pop songs on CD 2 and spread about: "Round and Round" is a wonderful single, "Hot Diggity" a perky example of Como's way of turning a novelty into something nearly heartfelt, and "Catch a Falling Star" his pinnacle moment as the successor to Bing Crosby. Others highlights: the cute "I Wanna Go Home With You", where the bobbysoxers brawl over Perry's affections, and another novelty, "'A' You're Adorable". The booklet has some interesting pictures from an era long passed, but there's still way too much here for the average Como fan.



4. It's a tragedy that most people under forty don't even know who Perry Como is and few have ever been exposed to his music. This album will introduce to some marvelous music, sung by the inimitable Perry Como. As a fan of Perry, Sinatra and Bing Crosby, comparisons to their voices is inevitable. Perry modeled himself closely after Bing and the influence clearly shows. His voice wasn't as deep and his range wasn't as great, but his voice was more mellifluous and mellow, particularly as he aged.

   All of Perry's great 40's and 50's hits are included here, as well as two stellar songs from the 70's, "And I Love You So" (my personal favorite) and "It's Impossible." Como injected so much pathos and emotion in both these songs. He learned how to use his vocal instrument more effectively as he got older. One of the greatest moment on this set is the inclusion of Perry's last great song, "Wing Beneath my Wings," one of the best swan songs in American music.

   Perry Como's music is timeless and anyone of any age can enjoy it. No one else sang quite like him with that beautifully restrained, sweet, gentle style. I've seen Perry in concert several times and he was a beautiful man, inside and out. His voice mirrors his soul and this is a superb collection.




5. I heard this song after my husband died and I would like to get a copy of a CD with this song and any others on it. I would appreciate if you could find this song for meI would be ever so grateful.

5 comments about The Ultimate History of Rock 'N' Roll Collection.

1. For the $15 or so I paid for this, it was a nice deal. True, many of the tracks are inferior remakes, but many sound just fine. For example, the version of Bobby Day's "Rockin' Robin," which 12-year-old-me and my friends went nuts over in 1959, works well. On the other hand, whoever represented themselves as the Clovers and churned out "Love Potion #9" should be ashamed. Some of the tracks do sound like the originals, though.
   
   What I did was to take the ten discs and pull the best tracks off them. I wound up with four CDs. The first two contain the songs I like best, from Good Golly Miss Molly to Sheila to Maybe to Lightnin' Strikes (AFAIK, Lou Christie is -still- performing!), and so on. The third disc is called "Best Of The Rest," and the fourth contains instrumentals - Sandy Nelson's "Teen Beat" holds up particularly well.
   
   I enjoy making comps and have many. To get four enjoyable discs from the original ten was, for me, a reasonable percentage, and didn't take all that long. I'm listening to my #1 and #2 discs right now!
   
   If you're a stickler for the originals...and I have plenty of them from the late 50s and early to mid 60s...then look elsewhere. But I find that my compilation of these discs nicely complements my existing, and ever-growing, collection.



2. All 3 previous reviewers have claimed that all, or most of these tunes are re-recordings that are NOT by the original Artists. Well, allow me to mention that I have not heard the CD's, however, I have listened to nearly all of the Samples that Amazon has listed above. After a close listen and comparison to discs in my own collection, I am convinced that at least 90% of the songs ARE indeed original, the rest may have been recorded especially for this CD by Artists that have a very similar sound. I've also been around long enough to recall nearly all of these hits, and have heard them over and over via many different venues. I've heard them live, on the radio, as well as on the Toob over the years. A great collection of originals as well as a few by the NOT original singers.



3. As the previous reviews pointed out, most of these are not the original recordings and definitely not worth the money. I would give it 0 stars if I could.



4. This recording would probably be OK if you had never heard the original recordings. The fine print on the jacket reads "New stereo recordings". I guess someone has decided to tamper with the success of the original recording, because the "remixs" are not all that good. And some cuts sound like they may have been re-recorded recently by the remaining members of the group.



5. Look for these songs elsewhere if you want all original versions. What a gyp.

1 comments about Dearly Beloved.

1. Ella Fitzgerald is truly one of the greats. Her music is a joy to listen to.

2 comments about The Best of the Big Bands.

1. I have to disagree with the previous reviewer. Great collection, yes, but NOT by Glenn Miller. Although there are some excellent Glenn Miller songs included, this collection has most of the Big Band theme songs played by the original artists, and a collection like this is hard to find. So if you have any interest in the music from this era, or want a bit of nostalgia, this is the set for you.



2. This is another awsome set of tracks by Gleen Miller. I loved listening to him and his band play the original jazz master pieces. This is a great addition to anyone's collection of fabulous jazz C.D.'s

5 comments about That's the Way It Is.

1. This CD is a follow up to the movie with the same name. The last CD is the rehearsals. Elvis is laughing through some of the songs and it sounds like he is in a really good mood. The first CD is from the movie. His voice is so powerful on some of the some songs, it is like you are there with him while he is singing and rehearsing.



2. Elvis' voice was just incredible. Great studio versions of "How the Web Was Woven" "Stranger in the Crowd" and "Twenty Days and Twenty Nights." And he sounds sounds just as good live as in the studio. "You've Lost That Loving Feeling" is about as good as it gets.
   
   Could make the case that 69 - 70 was Elvis at his all around best. Still had the moves and his voice had really matured.



3. If I were ever told to surrender my Elvis collection except for one item...my personal copy of this amazing box set would be the one for me.It showcases Elvis at his best.Stranger In The Crowd,How The Web Was Woven,Sylvia and Twenty Days and Twenty Nights are gems...seldom played.seldom heard and way over-looked...they are brought to light here.The concert disc...disc 2...is a classic by itself...and to think once you hear it you have one more to listen to...disc 3...which features some more live songs then you here Elvis in rehersel...which puts you on the front row of something historic...many of these have NEVER been heard before.Awesome.Amazing.You name it...This is the way it is....The Best Elvis Boxed Set that ever has been or will be released.



4. I've been looking for this CD for the past 3 years. This is the best with Elvis at his best.



5. I love this set!!! It totally satisfies my hunger to hear new things from Elvis. I love the first CD with its soaring 70's ballads and the way he interacts with the audience on the other CDs. The 1970 artwork is great too.

3 comments about The Ultimate Collection.

1. I bought this box collection for a gift and it is one of the best collections of Louis Armstrongs music that has ever been put together. I recommend it to all of his fans.



2. Bought this compilation here in Spain, as a sort of temporary fix while I'm away from the States. This CD includes virtually nothing from my favorite works, but it's turned out to be a good thing. Strings or no, his version of "It's All in the Game" is beautifully sung. And, proving once again that nobody sang it like Louis, the version here of "Sweet Lorraine" made me appreciate a standard that I had always ignored. Oh, how he sings, "...I'm so happy / when it's rainin' I don't miss the sun..."!! In particular, I was ignorant of his work in the late thirties and early forties, and what they have here has converted me. I don't normally find myself buying compilations, and especially with artists I'm already familiar with, but this is one I will continue listening to until I can get all the performances on other CDs. If you buy this, may you enjoy it much!



3. to July, 1968 performing in Las Vegas with the Allstars, no other Louis Armstrong compilation provides the listner with a more in depth and satisfying collection of Satchmo's colossal talent. These 59 selections, performing with jazz illuminaries such as Fletcher Henderson, Jimmy Dorsey, the Mills Brothers, Gordon Jenkins, Sy Oliver, Ella Fitzgerald, Oscar Peterson, not to mention his own Louis Armstrong Orchestra and Allstars have been painstakenly restored and presented in chronologial sequence. Both jazz aficionado and novice will delight at the marvelous selection of Satchmo classics such as Jeepers Creepers, Ain't Misbehavin', When the Saints Go Marchin' In, Basin Street Blues, When It's Sleepy Time Down South, What a Wonderful World, Cararet and so many many more. To say this is absolute essential listening is like saying the New York Yankees are a pretty good ball club.

2 comments about Swing Out to Victory: Songs of WWII.

1. If you're buying just one audio collection of World War II music, this might be a good choice. Four CDs, bargain-priced, introduce 40 songs from the period, with many of the old stand-bys ("Three Little Sisters," "No Love, No Nothin'," others), along with lot of surprises ("There'll Be a Jubilee," "I'm a Cranky Old Yank in a Clanky Old Tank," others). For the price, a great introduction.



2. Four discs and about 2 hours of fine listening. Just try to keep your feet still. I run exercise classes for elders, people who were 'around', in every sense of the word, during WW II. Hearing their music brings smiles to their faces. They enjoy the trip down memory lane. A terrific variety of artists and songs not generally found on other compilations from the 40's era.