Customer Reviews

21 Golden Hits

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

The term "original" is a little blurred here. Paul went back to the studio in 1962 and re-recorded many of his hits from the late fifties. This is what we have here. I believe he was convinced he could do them better. That being said, one should be aware that there are two versions of some of his hits like Diana. If you want the very "first" originals, which are almost always in mono, then this is not the CD you want. All 21 songs on this CD are in true stereo and will have a better sound quality than the first originals.

Please note that these re-recorded songs are very well done and were re-recorded only a couple of years after the "first" originals, so they still sound like originals. In fact, all but the most serious Anka fan would even be aware that there were two versions. Both versions are played on oldies stations.

This CD has been around a long time. The LP was also available for many many years. A testimony to his popularity.

There are a number of so-called Greatest Hits/Best of collections for Paul Anka, but this is far and away the most complete. Everything that you would expect is here: Diana, Put Your Head on My Shoulder, Puppy Love and the rest of Paul's late 50s "Philadelphia Sound" entries.

Also included are lesser known melodies like Summer's Gone, Tonight My Love and My Home Town. A big bonus is the movie inspired "The Longest Day," a major departure from Anka's normal style and a surprisingly good song.

Many of these cuts are not originals, meaning that they are not the first recordings from the late 50s. Rather, these are the studio cuts that Paul made in the 1962/63 time frame, when stereo was all the rage in vinyl and many major record labels were racing to get their big name stars re-released in stereo format. However, unlike many studio re-releases, these are so close that few will notice the difference and in at least two cases (Diana and You Are My Destiny) the re-releases are arguably better than their mono counterparts.

Whichever side of the re-release controversy you come down I, you'll find this CD a truly first-rate production. This collection is a powerful argument that, after more than four decades of commercial success, Paul Anka's early recordings remain his best.

First of all, I have to say I don't have this CD. I came to know that this is a re-recording of Paul Anka's hits back in 1974. When I intended to buy this LP, the shop manager told me not to because the songs in this LP were not original recordings from ABC/Paramount. So he introduced the 2 LPs set titled "Paul Anka Gold" issued by Sire Records to me and the songs there are the originals recordings by Paul Anka. Those who wants to get hold of all the Paul Anka's originals should look for the CD "The Golden Bowl - Paul Anka's Original Greatest Hits" catalogue number SICP-140 (visit sonymusic.co.jp for details, issued date 2002.5.22. Still available when this information is updated on 13/8/2007). 23 of Paul's most popular hits including the originals and a 2002 version of "You are my destiny" are available in this CD. This is a soundtrack album of a Japanese TV drama using Paul's songs as background music. You can also find Paul's oldies CDs from his official website.

First of all I have to say that I am 34 years old, so I wasn't even born when the original hits by Paul Anka were released. However, after having listened to the two versions of most of the hits I definitely think that the re-recordings are improved versions over the originals. I think that Paul Anka's voice changed for the better in the new versions - although not many years had passed since he recorded the original versions. I think that Anka's voice in the old versions sounds immature, as if it needed a lot of improvement, and even makes me wonder how was it that some of them were big hits - and I am being serious!.

It is very rare that re-recordings can be considered improved versions over the originals (just listen to the terrible re-recordings by The Platters, Bobby Rydell, or Herman's Hermits), but this record is the proof that that is not always the case. Being a purist, however, I will always prefer the original versions over the re-recordings because no matter what imperfections they may have, those are the ones that people liked and made hits of at a specific time, for the simple reason that they were the only versions at the moment. I think that if we played the original versions and the re-recordings to a very young person who does even know who Paul Anka is and let them choose which version, which voice sounds better, chances are that they will prefer the re-recordings. Of course, if you lived in the 50's you will always prefer the originals, but that will always be like that. In conclusion, I think that both, the original versions and these re-recordings (from 1962) deserve a big applause, but for different reasons.

Anyone can easily tell these are not the original hits. It's good that they put "Newly Recorded" on the cover, so at least they don't mislead you. If you're like me, you want the original hit. There is no way that "Puppy Love" or "Diana" can sound the same when sung by a 21 year old man as they do when sung by a 14 year old superprodigy whose voice hasn't changed. Go for the other compilation listed here that features the original recording. LB

I think re-recording without notification on the label is a cheap and devious way to make money! I love Paul Anka, but I want the ORIGINALS not redos. As far as I can tell the '30th Anniversary Collection' has all original versions if that is what you're looking for.
Rick

All of his 21 golden great songs!! certainly, all of them are re-made, but they are as great as the originals; the stereo effect is simply great, and all of the arrangements are very nice; I had this album first on vinyl, and the difference with the cd is logic; the cd is much better in qualify... Brillant songs like PUPPY LOVE, TIME TO CRY, DIANA, TONIGHT MY LOVE TONIGHT and LONELY BOY; the classics PUT YOUR HEAD ON MY SHOULDER, ADAN AND EVE, DON'T GAMBLE WITH LOVE, CINDERELLA and new songs like THE LONGEST DAY; one of the best cd's I've hear in my life.

With the exception of "The Longest Day", these are Paul's re-recordings of some of his 50's and early 60's ABC-Paramount material when he signed with RCA-Victor in 1962, moving away from his "teen idol" image. I was disappointed back in the 60's when I purchased the vinyl LP, thinking I was getting the originals. Rhino's "30th Anniversary Collection" covers the essential ABC-Paramount, RCA Victor, Buddah and UA hits. The Japanese 2-CD import "ABC-Paramount Original Classics" has an excellent selection from the early "Big 15" years, but I don't know if it is still in print.

Please note that this CD is a reissue of an LP album from 1963 and the most of the songs are re-recorded versions of Paul's hits from late 50's. Don't be misled by the word "re-recorded" because it's still young 21 year old Paul who sounds just great! So just consider these as another versions or alternate takes of the original songs. Definetely worth buying!

This is the RCA period of ANKA. All his early ABC-Paramount hits are rerecorded, like Diane, Put Your Head on My Shoulder, etc.