Customer Reviews

100 Strings & Joni: In Hollywood/On Broadway

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

100 Strings & Joni on Broadway / In Hollywood is a very solid twofer CD that gives us all the songs from two of Joni James' record albums. The sound quality is great; and the artwork isn't too shabby, either! I always like it when the original record album artwork is incorporated into the CD artwork.

"Hey There" starts the CD off with Joni singing very well; she never misses a beat and the strings enhance a lush musical arrangement. Great! "'Til There Was You" features Joni singing a cover of this famous Beatles tune; her uncanny sense of timing enhances her performance and the music that goes with Joni's vocals really makes this ballad shine. There's also "I've Grown Accustomed To His Face;" this show tune from My Fair Lady gets the royal treatment from Joni who delivers this ballad just as great as any of the great songbirds ever could!

"Bali Hai" comes from South Pacific; and Joni sings this with a few key changes to put her own stamp on this classic show tune. "Bewitched, Bothered And Bewildered" is a major highlight of this album; Joni sings this sweetly and the overall arrangement is very charming. "Hello Young Lovers" is a song sung by Deborah Kerr in the movie version of The King And I; Joni does great justice to this ballad and it all works very well.

"Smoke Gets In Your Eyes" shines so brightly when Joni handles this tune like the pro she always was; and there's also a grand rendition of "Over The Rainbow." "Over The Rainbow" gets a very sensitive delivery by Joni James and I think Judy Garland would be proud! "Around The World (In Eighty Days)" comes from the movie of the same name and when Joni sings it this number really takes flight! I'm very impressed.

"Three Coins In The Fountain" places Joni squarely front and center--right where she belongs! The strings are used very well and the harp enhances the natural beauty of this ballad. "The Boy Next Door" comes from the MGM musical entitled Meet Me In St. Louis; this second Judy Garland tune also gets quite a fine, creative interpretation by Joni. Great!

"An Affair To Remember" ends the CD strong with Joni singing this flawlessly; she performs this with style, grace, heart and soul. "An Affair To Remember" makes a great ending for this album.

Overall, Joni James sang much better than some people gave her credit for and I hope sales of her CDs will show more people just how great she really was. I highly recommend this for Joni's fans; and people who enjoy show tunes will like this album as well.

I am surprised that this CD is not better known, because it is a real gem. Joni James brings new life to Broadway and Hollywood
hits in a charming and even compelling way. This is a particular good choice for those like me who were disappoined that new material was not released on the Joni at Carnegie Hall CD. I would kill for the full live version of "Danny Boy."

I have enjoyed this music since the 50's, was happy to find it on DVD

This is my first Joni James cd. I bought it since I wanted to have her two versions of "Over the Rainbow" and "The Boy Next Door." I enjoyed it so much I have also purchased her Kern/Warren cd to get her version of "Friendly Star," another Judy Garland song.

Joni has a pleasant easy going vocal quality. I enjoyed her selections, and as Matthew Sherwin stated in an earlier review the orchestrations are fine.

I have several Joni James albums, and while I like them all, I consider this one to be one of the best. There is something about Joni's voice that I can listen to over and over again. And the selection of songs on this CD is good also.