Capitol Collectors Series

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Johnny Mercer was one of the founders of Capitol Records, so it's fitting that this entry in the label's Collectors Series is such a well-compiled and -designed package. Comprised of 20 key sides made between 1942 and 1949, it captures the Savannah-born singer/songwriter's lazy, bluesy delivery on both his own tunes ("Blues in the Night," "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive," "One for My Baby") and others' (Frank Loesser's "Baby It's Cold Outside," which Mercer and Margaret Whiting made into a No. 1 hit). Mercer was a major figure in American popular music; this CD makes clear that he was also a highly entertaining performer. --Rickey Wright

Tracks:

Just A Gigolo - I Ain't Got Nobody (Medley)
Oh Marie
Buona Sera
Jump, Jive, An' Wail
Basin Street Blues - When It's Sleepy Time Down South
The Lip
Whistle Stop
5 Months, 2 Weeks, 2 Days
Banana Split For My Baby
There'll Be No Next Time
When You're Smiling - The Sheik Of Araby (Medley)
Baby, Won't You Please Come Home
I've Got The World On A String
Pennies From Heaven
Angelina - Zooma Zooma (Medley)
Beep! Beep!
Embraceable You - I Got It Bad And That Ain't Good
Sing, Sing, Sing
That Old Black Magic
The Music Goes 'Round And Around
Hey, Boy! Hey, Girl!
Lazy River
I've Got You Under My Skin
You're Just In Love
Twist All Night
St. Louis Blues

Amazon.com essential recording

Band leader and lounge kingpin Louis Prima will be best be known for the classic, "Just a Gigolo," immortalized by David Lee Roth for a whole new generation of swingers. But Prima's output went much further: in his day he recorded for Capitol, acted in a movie or two, even owned a golf course. Prima's genius is infectious: lounge, swing, and Dixieland all fuse together into medleys that are fun, dance-worthy, and upbeat. Prima's duets with Keely Smith are the obvious highlights here: "That Ol' Black Magic," "Hey Boy! Hey Girl!," and "I've Got You Under My Skin" are essential Prima tracks. Sure, the cheese factor occasionally runs high, but it is a fun trip. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews:

Good Prima.......2007-07-04

This is a good collection of the best hits of the unique Louis Prima with his very special Italian-jazzy style.

The joy of life!.......2007-05-31

This disk rocks, and is packed with great, upbeat music. It brims with humor and spirit. Even though it runs for well over an hour, I feel let down when it's over.

Unlike many of the people who have posted here before me, I have no particular interest in the swing revival, and I did not come across Louis Prima via Brian Setzer. Brian Setzer is, however, as good a link to Louis Prima as any. Prima was a mysterious figure who played heavily in the otherwise fictional 50's period Italian food film "Big Night" (1996). Intrigued, I bought this disk after seeing "Big Night" in the theatre.

The song "Beep Beep" is dated and corny, but it differs from the rest of the disk only in its space-age subject matter and "otherworldly" slide-guitar sound effects. It was topical during the late-50's space race. Everything else holds up perfectly well over 40-plus years.

Prima's band is tight, yet spontaneous and not sterile. He has a great onstage comic rapport with cohort Sam Butera, and also with his then-wife and straight-woman Keely Smith.

An example from "Embraceable You" --

Keely (singing): "Why don't you come and get your baby-do..."

Louis (aside to the audience): "Call from 'The Point'."

This disk is a must for any non-classical music lover with a pulse. This is in my top 5 CD's, out of perhaps 400 I own, and is certainly a "desert island disk." Deservedly, almost everyone on this page has given it 5 stars. It doesn't get any better than this, kids. (Adapted from my review of 10/27/1999.)

How could you not?.......2007-05-28

This is classic and cool. Reminds me of the jungle book! Highly recommended

Prima's Primo.......2007-03-10

A Baby Boomer like myself might have first thought that Louis Prima was too square. But I thought I would try his music and I liked it! I was aware of his catalog by current artists who had covered him (Van Morrison, Brian Setzer). I found the songs to be an entertaining,"retro" experience. I enjoyed the different vocal styles with Prima's Louie Armstrong-type voice and Keely Smith's crystal clear vocalizing. I loved the sophisticated, syncopated big band instrumental sound. And at a bargain price. I definitely recommend it!

Louis at his best.......2007-02-21

Amazing CD- excellent arrangements performed by a master musician and showman- his songs still work today - most recently in a GAP TV commercial.

Especially like Just a Gigolo and That Old Black Magic which are classics.

Average customer rating:

TOO MARVELOUS FOR WORDS
Johnny Mercer is capital
Johnny Mercer
I love it
Classic '40s recordings by one of America's best

Capitol Collectors Series
Johnny Mercer
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

My Huckleberry Friend: Johnny Mercer Sings the Songs of Johnny Mercer
Two of a Kind
The Complete Johnny Mercer Songbook
Songsmith From Savannah
Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil: Music From And Inspired By The Motion Picture

ASIN: B00000DR9Z
Release Date: 1989-07-26

Tracks:

Strip Polka
I Lost My Sugar In Salt Lake City
G.I. Jive
Blues In The Night
Ac-cent-tchu-ate The Positive
Candy
I'm Gonna See My Baby
On The Atchison, Topeka, And The Santa Fe
Surprise Party
Personality
My Sugar Is So Refined
One For My Baby (And One More For The Road)
Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah
A Gal In Calico
Winter Wonderland
Moon-Faced, Starry Eyed
Sugar Blues
Save The Bones For Henry Jones ('Cause Henry Don't Eat No Meat)
Glow Worm
Baby It's Cold Outside

Amazon.com

Johnny Mercer was one of the founders of Capitol Records, so it's fitting that this entry in the label's Collectors Series is such a well-compiled and -designed package. Comprised of 20 key sides made between 1942 and 1949, it captures the Savannah-born singer/songwriter's lazy, bluesy delivery on both his own tunes ("Blues in the Night," "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive," "One for My Baby") and others' (Frank Loesser's "Baby It's Cold Outside," which Mercer and Margaret Whiting made into a No. 1 hit). Mercer was a major figure in American popular music; this CD makes clear that he was also a highly entertaining performer. --Rickey Wright

Customer Reviews:

TOO MARVELOUS FOR WORDS.......2007-06-17

Johnny Mercer's words and music provided the soundtrack to our lives, especially during the 1940s when the songs on this disc were recorded. Johnny Mercer's impeccable musical taste and his ability to match words with music show us that he was one of the greatest musical artists of the entire twentieth century. This CD proves it.

The CD opens with the playful "Strip Polka" which offers a catchy melody; and Johnny's lyrics work brilliantly on this number. When Johnny sings of the stripper who still remains a lady no matter what, you become enchanted by Johnny's lyrics. "I Lost My Sugar In Salt Lake City" comes from the film Stormy Weather; Johnny sings his lyrics beautifully with panache. The Johnny Mercer touch makes "I Lost My Sugar In Salt Lake City" a powerful number.

"G. I. Jive" reverts to a happier tune; Johnny sings his lyrics flawlessly; and his musical arrangement complements the vocals to a tea! "Blues In The Night" features Johnny singing with Jo Stafford and The Pied Pipers as Paul Weston & His Orchestra weave their musical spell. Johnny's lyrics match the stunning melody by Harold Arlen, too.

Other gems on this CD include the infectiously happy "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive;" "On The Atchison, Topeka And The Santa Fe" written by Johnny with help from Harry Warren and the relentlessly upbeat "Personality." "Personality" lets Johnny sing of how impressed and taken he is with a woman he just met.

"One More For My Baby (And One More For The Road)" is another great ballad written by Mercer and Harold Arlen; Johnny Mercer sings this with passion, flair and masculine sensitivity. Great! "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah" is yet another remarkably joyous number that allows Johnny to sing of his happiness to be alive.

One playful number that is new to me is "Save The Bones For Henry Jones ('Cause Henry Don't Eat No Meat)." This number begins with an aborted start; but when they do kick in soon afterward Johnny, a very young Nat King Cole and The King Cole Trio perform this to perfection! I think you will enjoy this happy tune.

The CD ends with strength as we get "Glow Worm" and Baby It's Cold Outside." "Glow Worm" was a big hit for Johnny with audiences young to old; and "Baby It's Cold Outside" hit one out of the ballpark, too. Look for Margaret Whiting to accompany Johnny Mercer for the duet of "Baby It's Cold Outside."

The liner notes include a great essay by Denise Cox; and the digital remastering by Larry Walsh at Capitol Recording Studios shows a lot of hard work went into this project. You also get the song credits and there are great color photos of some of Johnny's records, too.

Johnny Mercer will remain one of the great musical geniuses of the entire twentieth century. His words and music touched countless people with their sensitivity, playfulness and warmth. I recommend this CD for Johnny Mercer fans; and people who enjoy classic pop vocals will cherish this CD for many years to come!

Johnny Mercer is capital.......2007-03-26

This is a great comp, covering Mercer's years with capital. I was first introduced to Mercer via his Duet with Bobby Darin titled "Two of A Kind" another great swing/pop album. Johnny Mercer obviously influenced many including Bobby Darin and was a great song writer. Every track on this album is great. If you appreciate this type of music, you won't be disappointed with this album.

Johnny Mercer.......2007-03-08

I host a show on a 50,000-watt FM radio station, playing music of the 1930's-50's. This album is a true find. Wasn't difficult in the past to find Mercer's Top 5 hits, but those that were still a success, but maybe reach #14 on the charts, have been almost impossible to locate. This album cured those short-comings. Thanks for your quality of selections, plus the speed in filling the order, the reasonable rates, plus an acceptable p&h rate, which no other distributor can compare.

I love it.......2005-05-14

I was born in 1975... a full 35 years after most of these songs were recorded ... and I will admit... I am completely surpised. I am surprised at how much I enjoy this entire CD! It really is amazing... I find myself singing along with songs like "G.I Jive" and "Strip Polka" and I NEVER sing along to music. Everything has such catchy tunes, with crazy little quirks, and such genuine good-natured humor. Really, I find myself laughing everytime I hear put this cd in.

Why this Johnny Mercer CD? Honestly this is the only one that I own, so I don't know if this is any better than the others. However, I do know that has turned into the CD that I listen to on my way home from work (It is especially awesome when I am havign a bad day... "Zippy Do Dah" alway brings a smile to my face!)

My recommedation - even if you don't think that you will like it (I only bought to see if we should use it for dinner music at my wedding!) try it. You may be as amazed as I was.

Classic '40s recordings by one of America's best.......2002-07-22

Songwriter Johnny Mercer had considerable success in Hollywood before co-founding Capitol Records in 1942. The maverick Los Angeles-based label had some of the hugest hits of the wartime era, starting with Ella Mae Morse's "Cow Cow Boogie," and continuing on through a slew of other great artists. Mercer himself recorded prolifically, and though his own versions of his songs tended to sell less spectacularly than versions cut by various popular bandleaders, he did alright as a singer, too. Mercer's bluesy, hepcat vocal style is a little hokey, but fun nonetheless, and no expense was spared on the punchy big band arrangements. This disc is packed with great Mercer originals, such as "G.I. Jive," with its goofy Slim Gaillard-style scatting, "Ac-Cent-Chu-Ate The Positive," "Glow Worm" and "The Atchison, Topeka And The Santa Fe." Mercer also did fine versions of songs by other standards writers, such as "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah," and Frank Loesser's "Baby It's Cold Outside." Backing him up throughout are Jo Stafford and the Pied Pipers, top talent of the time. The Capitol studios had a great, readily identifiable production style -- clean, punchy, solid arrangements, pointing to a new "vocal" style that would redefine pop music in the wake of the big band era. And there was Johnny Mercer, right at the heart of it all. This is a great collection, well worth checking out.

The Four Freshmen - Capitol Collectors Series

Average customer rating:

Great Sound
bravo! four freshmen
Great CD, great group, but!
Four Freshmen at their best!!!
Redundant

The Four Freshmen - Capitol Collectors Series
The Four Freshmen
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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General | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music

Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

Four Freshmen - Greatest Hits
The Four Freshmen and 5 Trombones/4 Freshmen and 5 Trumpets
16 Most Requested Songs
The Four Aces' Greatest Hits
Four Freshmen and Five Saxes/Four Freshmen and Five Guitars

ASIN: B00000DRAL
Release Date: 1991-02-01

Tracks:

It's A Blue World
The Day Isn't Long Enough
Poinciana (Song Of The Tree)
It Happened Once Before
Please Remember
We'll Be Together Again
Mood Indigo
It Never Occurred To Me
Day By Day
How Can I Tell Her
Charmaine
In This Whole Wide World
Angel Eyes
Love Is Just Around The Corner
Graduation Day
Whistle Me Some Blues
It Could Happen To You
Candy
(Get Your Kicks On) Route 66
Their Hearts Were Full Of Spring
And So It's Over

Customer Reviews:

Great Sound.......2007-03-12

As a Beach Boys Fan for years and I wanted to get one of main influential bands on them, the Four Freshmen. The harmonies are of the highest quality. You easily tell why they had a significant influence on the Beach Boys and I was not disappointed. I am pleased that I have decided to purchase the CD as I knew very little of them as they were before my time so to speak.

bravo! four freshmen.......2006-08-10

It's soooo nice to hear the songs and actual singing of 4 outstanding vocalists. Harmonization is fabulous and such extremely complex chord work for voices makes this cd a treasury of what it was like in the past. My favorites(although all tracks have my vote)are "It's a blue world", "Poinciana","Angel Eyes", "Graduation Day", "Charmane", and "Route 66". As I mentioned, it's a gold mine over all.

Great CD, great group, but!.......2005-07-30

This is a great collection of one of the best close-harmony groups from the golden era. However, as a semi-pro, tight-harmony singer myself, and since Amazon doesn't seem to provide a link from the Freshmen, I urge you to search for, listen to and purchase at least one CD of "The Hi los." It was Gene Puerling's original band, and they are simply THE best at clean, tight harmony. They're the band everyone else copied afterwards. You won't be dissapointed.

Four Freshmen at their best!!!.......2005-01-17

This CD from Capitol offers a slice of the Four Freshmens greatest material throughout their Golden years. Its a rather vintage CD in that is contains a few excerpts from Ross Barbour and Bob Flanagan. Being a young listener, I never was around during the Freshemns Golden years, but I find their music enjoyable to listen to and classy.

Redundant.......2002-11-13

This album is typical of the last few years of Frosh releases. They are the very best but every new release is a another mix of the same old favorites, just a different title. What ever happened to the new Frosh who were to take over the Freshman empire? As far as I know, they had only one release and it was great. It was a salute to Frank Sinatra.

Average customer rating:

Capitol Collectors series: Dean Martin
A FAITHFUL FAN'S REVIEW
The Best of Dino's Capitol Years
A Good Collection
SECOND ONLY TO THE VERY BEST OF

Capitol Collectors Series: Dean Martin
Dean Martin
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Dream with Dean/Everybody Loves Somebody
The Best of Dean Martin
This Time I'm Swingin'!/Pretty Baby
Dean Martin - All-Time Greatest Hits
Italian Love Songs

ASIN: B000002UUJ
Release Date: 1989-10-10

Tracks:

That Certain Party
Powder Your Face With Sunshine (Smile! Smile!...)
I'll Always Love You (Day After Day)
If
You Belong To Me
Love Me, Love Me
That's Amore
I'd Cry Like A Baby
Sway
Money Burns A Hole In My Pocket
Memories Are Made Of This
Innamorata (Sweetheart)
Standing On The Corner
Watching The World Go By
Return To Me
Angel Baby
Volare (Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu)
On An Evening In Roma (Sott'er Celo Do Roma)
Love Me, My Love
Ain't That A Kick In The Head

Amazon.com

This collection spans the years from 1948 to 1960, compiling 20 of Dean Martin's best cuts from his tenure at Capitol Records. Dino did his best work during this period, so it should come as no surprise to find that this compilation is as solid as a week-old meatball. From "Powder Your Face With Sunshine" and "That's Amore" to "On an Evening in Roma" and "Ain't That a Kick in the Head," it's all primo Dino. His voice is sweet and supple, and his sense of fun is infectious (unlike on many of his Reprise recordings, he really seems to be enjoying himself here). If you're only going to buy one Dean Martin record, this is definitely the one you want. --Dan Epstein

Customer Reviews:

Capitol Collectors series: Dean Martin.......2006-02-24

A very good selection of twenty Dean Martin songs from a number of years.

A FAITHFUL FAN'S REVIEW.......2005-06-20

In 1989 I purchased the cassette tape of this album. I lost the tape, and cannot say how excited I was to see this on a CD. Even though I have everyone of these songs on other albums, I am purchasing the CD because it is one of the most delightful combinations of Dean's hits currently available.
One of my most favorite numbers is "You Belong to Me." Though Dino never had the #1 place for this song, I believe he had the best recording and I had an old 78 until it wore out. It was also the 1st time I heard "Ain't That A Kick In The Head?" on a recording. Saw the "RAT PACK" once and heard it on stage. I had always wanted that recording. I advise anyone who loves Dino to get this CD. It is his "youthful days" when his voice was at its peak and he was at the top of his recording career.

The Best of Dino's Capitol Years.......2002-08-19

This CD is a collection of Dean Martin's best songs from his years at Capitol records from 1948 to 1960; while many Dean Martin favorites were recorded in the first decade of his singing career, few of these songs were top 10 hits, which I find amazing and tragic. Even the wonderful song "You Belong To Me" never surpassed #12 on the charts. This is a great mix of Dean Martin trademarks such as "That's Amore," "Memories Are Made of This" (Dean's first #1 song), "Return to Me," and "Ain't That a Kick in the Head" alongside less familiar but no less wonderful tracks such as "If," "I'd Cry Like a Baby," "Standing on the Corner," and "Innamorata." Overall, these songs offer even more proof to my theory that there is no such thing as a bad Dean Martin song.

"That Certain Party" is a 1948 duet with Jerry Lewis, featuring jokes, impersonations, and typical Martin-Lewis comedy alongside the song itself. "Power Your Face With Sunshine" was Dino's first top 10 hit, cresting at the 10th spot in early 1949. "I Will Always Love You" was Dean's first significant love song to hit the charts. "If" is Dino's most beautiful song and my personal favorite, yet it did not even crack the top 10 upon its release in 1950. "Innamorata" is another masterpiece that is too easily overlooked in Dean's vast musical legacy. The classics "That's Amore," "Memories Are Made of This," "Volare," and "Return to Me" need no introduction from me. "Standing on the Corner" and its B-side companion "Watching the World Go By" offer a little different sound, as Dean is backed up by Dick Stabile and his orchestra on these fun, carefree tracks. "On an Evening in Roma" is reportedly released here for the first time in its original true stereo quality. I could go on praising each song, but it doesn't seem necessary. Dean Martin didn't sing songs; he gave vibrant life to them, which explains why these songs remain as amazing today as they were when Dino first released them.

Obviously, this album contains no songs from Dean's later and more commercially successful years at Reprise records, but it offers 20 of his songs from 1948 to 1960, arranged in chronological order, with terrific sound quality and clarity quite rare among recorded songs from this time period. The liner notes are a delightful bonus to the whole package; they summarize Dean's career at Capitol Records, include images of the original single releases, and offer important information on each song (including recording date, release date, chart date, and highest chart position). Whether he's singing a lighthearted tune or serious Italian love song, Dean Martin forever delights my ears with his incredible and unique voice. This is a CD I am sure no Dean Martin fan does not already own.

A Good Collection.......2002-07-04

This assortment of songs from the years Dean Martin spent with Capitol is a great collection of favorites. Every song on here is enjoyable and hard to resist singing along with. The songs are presented on the CD in chronological order of release dates, showing a progression of Dino's personal style. Personally, I think the songs just get better and better as the disc progresses.

Sound quality on the recordings is good. I've heard some other compilation CDs and it sounded like the songs were recorded from old videotapes. This is not one of those.

The liner notes in the CD booklet give a brief bio of Dean Martin and some anecdotal information about some of the songs on the disc. Also included in the track listing in the booklet is the other musicians credited in the recording. One can also see the original covers of the singles and other Dino records laid out in one large picture on the center pages.

In all, this disc represents the essential Dean Martin collection from the late 40s to 1960. A worthwhile investment.

SECOND ONLY TO THE VERY BEST OF.......2002-03-18

The first choice of any DEAN MARTIN fan who want to buy only one is THE VERY BEST OF DEAN MARTIN THE CAPITOL AND REPRISE YEARS.This COLLECTORS SERIES from CAPITOL is also very good ,with a few songs not present in the other collection.Did DEAN did his best work with CAPITOL?Many fans don't agree with that statement,and i happen to be in that group, because i dig the country stuff he recorded at REPRISE.This is however a DEAN MARTIN that everyone can enjoy;it is what we can call easy listening at it's best.We could have done without THAT CERTAIN PARTY a duet with JERRY LEWIS,but it doesn't really matter.

Average customer rating:

Neat album
Capitol Collectors Series ~ The lettermen
Very popular in sixties America
Fabulous harmonies make me long for a simpler time and place
Watch out Beach Boys, the Lettermen Kick your Butts

Capitol Collectors Series
The Lettermen
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Song for Young Love / Once Upon a Time
When I Fall in Love
Absolutely The Best
Memories: The Very Best of the Lettermen
Lettermen - All-Time Greatest Hits

ASIN: B00000DRDK
Release Date: 1992-08-25

Tracks:

The Way You Look Tonight
That's My Desire
When I Fall In Love
Come Back Silly Girl
How Is Julie?
Turn Around, Look At Me
Silly Boy
Be My Girl
Theme From 'A Summer Place'
Sealed With A Kiss
Secretly
I Only Have Eyes For You
Our Winter Love
Medley: Goin' Out Of My Head/Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You
Sherry Don't Go
Put Your Head On My Shoulder
Hurt So Bad
Shangri-La
Medley: Traces/Memories
Everything Is Good About You
Love
Oh My Love
If You Feel The Way I Do

Customer Reviews:

Neat album.......2007-03-28

I enjoyed this album and its classic songs. This is a good recording and my favorite song is "When I Fall in Love." If you like the good old-time love songs, this album is for you.

Capitol Collectors Series ~ The lettermen.......2006-03-10

I'm 75 and The Lettermen bring back great memories.

Very popular in sixties America.......2005-05-27

Not many Brits know about the Lettermen - they had just one minor UK hit single and no UK hit albums - but they were very popular in their American homeland, where they were consistently successful in both the singles and album charts, especially during the sixties. Smooth ballads were their trademark sound.

The original 1959 line-up was Jim Pike (originally a letterman), Bob Engermann and Tony Butala. In 1968, Gary Pike (Jim's brother) replaced Bob Engermann. Jim left in the mid-seventies, replaced by Donny, another of his brothers.

The original trio were immediately successful with The way you look tonight (a cover of a Fred Astaire song that went gold in America and also charted in Britain). Among their many other American hits, the two biggest were When I fall in love and the medley Going out of my head / Can't take my eyes off you. The collection includes many other fine songs including their covers of Sealed with a kiss and I only have eyes for you - two classic internationally famous songs. Other highlights include That's my desire, Come back silly girl, How is Julie, Turn around look at me, Silly boy she doesn't love you, Our winter love and Put your head on my shoulder.

Where you're an American looking back nostalgically or a Brit discovering this great trio for the first time, the Lettermen are well worth a listen if you enjoy hearing ballads performed superbly.

Fabulous harmonies make me long for a simpler time and place.......2004-06-22

The Lettermen have been doing what they do for some 44 years now. Original member Tony Butala leads the current trio who continue to record and maintain an ambitious concert schedule.
This 1992 compilation, part of the Capitol Collectors Series, is by far the best available anthology of this legendary vocal group. You will find just about all of their Capitol hits here including "The Way You Look Tonight", "When I Fall In Love", the great medley from 1967 "Goin' Out of My Head/Can't Take My Eyes Off You" as well as one of the surprise hits of the summer of 1969 "Hurt So Bad". But the great listening does not stop with the big hits. I found just about every track on this disc to be quite enjoyable. Most surprising perhaps is "Oh My Love" a somewhat obscure Beatles tune and "Everything Is Good About You" originally recorded by the Supremes. You are also sure to enjoy
the Lettermen's version of the Four Coins classic "Shangri-La" and of course their other great medley from 1970 "Traces/Memories". While The Lettermen achieved considerable success on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles chart they were also a force to be reckoned with on the Billboard Pop Albums chart. In fact, The Lettermen saw 32 consecutive album releases make the Top 100. Quite a feat! The Lettermen were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2001.
Now I had given some consideration to rating this collection 5 stars. But although this comes with a fairly attractive booklet that includes a neat collage featuring many of their album covers and 45 rpm picture sleeves, the lack of any meaningful liner notes was a big drawback for me.
But all in all if you are a big fan of group harmony and/or 1960's pop you really can't go wrong with this one.

Watch out Beach Boys, the Lettermen Kick your Butts.......2003-12-21

The Lettermen are so much more professional then the Beach Boys, and you don't have to put up with annoying surf songs. The Lettermen sing timeless standards is a nice middle of the road pop style, with good harmonies. You'll love this i gaurentee, or your money back(lol)...

Average customer rating:

Hitch your wagon to a Starr!
Kay Starr's "Collector's Series" is a must for collectors !!!
Kay Starr,The brightest star in the firmament
Starr - Collectors Series
Five Stars for Starr!

Capitol Collectors Series
Kay Starr
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music

Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Kay Starr - Greatest Hits
The Best of Teresa Brewer
Best of Teresa Brewer
Her Very Best
Columbia Hits Collection

ASIN: B00000DRB6
Release Date: 1991-02-01

Tracks:

I'm The Lonesomest Gal In Town
You've Got To See Mamma Ev'ry Night
You Were Only Fooling
So Tired
Hoop Dee Doo
Bonaparte's Retreat
Mississippi
I'll Never Be Free
Wheel Of Fortune
I Waited A Little Too Long
Kay's Lament
Fool, Fool, Fool
Comes A-Long-A-Love
Side By Side
Half A Photograph
Allez-Vous-En
When My Dreamboat Comes Home
Changing Partners
The Man Upstairs
If You Love Me (Really Love Me)
Toy Or Treasure
Lazy River
Foolin' Around
Crazy
The Rock And Roll Waltz

Customer Reviews:

Hitch your wagon to a Starr!.......2007-03-20

Here is Kay Starr at her greatest, with her catalogue of chart-singles for the Capitol label produced between 1950-1964.

Most of these recordings capture Starr during her pop phase, though in later years she reinvented herself in the country and gospel genres. Whatever the mood, Starr has the kind of voice that easily adapts to every style. Included here is her million selling "Wheel of Fortune", a song that took a long time to get released because the recording engineers wanted to get an authentic sound of a dice being rolled. "Allez-vous-En" comes from Cole Porter's 1953 Broadway musical "Can-Can", and she gives a very fun reading of it. "Comes A-Long A-Love", one of the quintessential Starr platters, is also here.

Very few female singers of the period were able to touch Starr for sheer vocal ability; hers is an instrument of remarkable scope and clarity, able to convey anything and everything with the simplest inflection of a lyric or phrase. Considering you get a whopping 25 tracks of pure classic Starr, this disc is at a bargain price, and highly-recommended from this reviewer.

[Capitol CDP-7 94080 2]

Kay Starr's "Collector's Series" is a must for collectors !!!.......2006-07-10

Kay Starr was one of the very few women in the 20th century who truly had the capacity to sing--and sing well. Her voice was rich, vibrant and full of energy. She gave every song her all; and this CD proves it.

The CD has a wonderful 25 (yes, 25) songs on it; and once you listen it will be difficult to pick your favorite! The CD has her classic hit "Wheel of Fortune" which took forever to produce because they needed just the right sound of the dice at the very beginning of the song. The effect is incredible; and the musical arrangement is also very well done. Other great songs on this CD include the polka "Hoop De Doo," "Bonaparte's Retreat," "Comes A-Long A-Love," "Side By Side," "Allez-Vous-En," "If You Love Me (Really Love Me)," "Lazy River" and "The Rock And Roll Waltz." Incredible!

The quality of the sound is excellent and the musical arrangements are all very well done. A nice plus is Kay's duet with Tennessee Ernie Ford on "I'll Never Be Free" and Kay sings with The Lancers on "Kay's Lament" and "Fool, Fool, Fool."

The liner notes boast an extensive essay about Kay's life by Scott Shea. There are wonderful color photographs of Kay as well as some black and white pictures, too. There are even pictures of her record album covers in a type of collage that is very nicely done. You get the song credits and the release dates and chart dates of each song. Awesome!

This is a great CD for Kay's fans (obviously), as well as fans of classic pop vocals. My only disappointment (and it's a minor one) is that this is a collection of Kay's recordings for Capitol Records so it doesn't have her recordings from her years at RCA, for example. Nevertheless, it is such a quality CD with so much value (twenty five songs) that I still highly recommend it. A quality album--YES! Great job, Kay! ENJOY!!!

Kay Starr,The brightest star in the firmament.......2002-10-04

How can anyone put into words the magic of Kay Starr"s heavenly voice and the words of her material?I grew up listening to songs like "Down among the sheltering palms"and when I hear them again it takes me back to simpler times.She is still the best female vocalist in my book.Theresa Brewer And Dolly Parton are the only ones who come close.

Starr - Collectors Series.......2002-02-21

Big band, old time great music. Has "Side by Side", The Rock & Roll Waltz" and other music you'll love. Listen to the samples and you'll see what I mean.

Five Stars for Starr!.......2000-12-03

Kay Starr's voice is unique, you can pick it out of a thousand singers. Her voice is so clear, so strong, it must have sounded fabulous over those old car radios of the 40's and 50's! I particularly enjoyed her duet with Ernie Ford, and her recording of 'Side by Side'. However, there's not a clunker in the bunch on here. As with the other Capitol Collectors Series, I found the restoration of these old recordings to be superb, a task performed with meticulous care.

An excellent start for a collector of pre-rock pop music.

Capitol Collectors Series
Average customer rating:

Early Americans

Best of the Original Kingston Trio

They're All Here

From scarlet ribbons to seasons in the sun

A fine overview of the Trio's repertoire...

Capitol Collectors Series
The Kingston Trio
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Folk | Styles | Music
Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music
Revival | Folk | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B00000DRAA
Release Date: 1990-05-30

Tracks:

Scarlet Ribbons (For Her Hair)
Tom Dooley
Raspberries, Strawberries
The Tijuana Jail
M.T.A.
A Worried Man
Coo Coo-U
El Matador
Bad Man's Blunder
Everglades
Where Have All The Flowers Gone?
Scotch And Soda
Jane, Jane, Jane
One More Town
Greenback Dollar
Reverend Mr. Black
Desert Pete
Ally Ally Oxen Free
The Patriot Game
Seasons In The Sun

Customer Reviews:

Early Americans.......2006-03-19

Jay Black and the Americans have a sound all of their own. It always reminds you of growing up and the carefree days of youth.

Best of the Original Kingston Trio.......2005-12-27

This CD has all their classic hits and shows the wide range of their folk songs. If your old vinyl records are worn and skipping, replace them with this. You'll remember why you liked the Kingston Trio years ago and hear that their songs are still great.

They're All Here.......2003-11-25

The Kingston Trio is one of the great folk groups from the fifties and sixties. Nick Reynolds, Bob Shane and Dave Guard started the phenomenon that would become the legendary Trio. Later, Dave Guard would leave and would be replaced by John Stewart of The Journeymen fame. This greatest hits disc is full of their most famous tunes. There is probably not a song on this disc you haven't heard. The Trio is probably most noted for "Tom Dooley", but it is not their best work by far, and here's the perfect place to hear their best.

There are so many great songs the Trio performed, and all the songs here are great as well. The political ad "M.T.A." about Charlie not having enough money to get off the subway having to spend the rest of his life riding the trains through Boston. "The Tijuana Jail", "Everglades," and "Reverend Mr. Black" are other examples of their famous cuts, but there are other songs here that make this compilation complete. The beautiful "Scarlet Ribbons (For Her Hair)", the tongue in cheek "Raspberries, Strawberries," the nationalistic song of rebellion in "The Patriot Game," and the strange "Coo-Coo-U" also make this album.

For anyone who is a fan of the Trio or folk in general, this is a great album to have. It doesn't show the true Trio, as they were a live act, dynamic and changing, never performing a song the same way twice, and having such fun between songs. Instead this is the cut and dried version of the Trio straight from the studio. This album is great, but live Trio stuff is even better.

From scarlet ribbons to seasons in the sun.......2003-07-16

The Kingston trio were one of the most important folk groups of the late fifties and early sixties. Although the trio continued to perform with various line-ups for many years afterwards, it is their period with Capitol (1958-1964) on which their reputation is based and from which this set is compiled.

No imagination was used in compiling this set, as twenty singles by the Kingston trio during this time and they are all included - no omissions, no bonus tracks. Devoted fans will always find some tracks that weren't released as singles that they prefer to some that were, but this CD is a great introduction to their music. For most people, it will contain everything required.

The set begins with a single that failed to chart (Scarlet ribbons) and ends with two that failed to chart (The patriot game, Seasons in the sun) but all seventeen tracks in between made the American pop charts. Seasons in the sun, the final track, is a cover of Rod McKuen's translation of Le Moribond, a song written by Jacques Brel. The version here was recorded in 1963 but the song remained obscure until Terry Jacks had a worldwide pop hit with it in 1974.

Of their seventeen American hits, Tom Dooley was the biggest. It topped the charts in America and was also a huge British hit. Nothing else made much impact in Britain chart-wise, but Tijuana jail reached number two in America. Reverend Mr Black was a top ten hit, while two other singles - M T A and Worried man - made the top twenty and two others - Where have all the flowers gone (a cover of the classic Pete Seeger song) and Greenback dollar (written by Hoyt Axton) - just missed the top twenty. Three other songs made the top forty but the remaining hits were very minor, some just making it into the top hundred.

For anybody interested in the folk boom of the early sixties, a Kingston trio collection is essential, and this is the best single-CD collection there is.

A fine overview of the Trio's repertoire..........2001-12-30

I am old, and discovered the Kingston Trio when "Tom Dooley" first was issued as a 45 rpm single in the l950's. I ended up buying every KT record issued until they left Capitol for Decca. I don't have the vinyl ones anymore, they wore out long ago, but I do have this CD collection. While many of my favorite Trio songs are not on it, because they were never issued as singles, what is presented here is excellent. The album booklet is wonderful as well...almost the quality of Smithsonian-Folkways research. You really can't go wrong buying this collection.