Customer Reviews

All-Time Great Instrumental Hits 1

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

 

 

Not a bad collection for the price. Most are reasonably clean sounding original hits and a couple are actually hard to find on CD (Si Zentner's "Up A Lazy River" and Pee Wee Hunt's "12th Street Rag"). But, as with many Curb compilations, there are at least two NSR'S (those dreaded "New Stereo Recordings") included...both Roger Williams selections. "Autumn Leaves" I can understand and accept. It sounds almost exactly like the original except much cleaner. But re-recording "Born Free" (already in stereo) makes absolutely no sense, especially since the only noticeable difference is the unfortunate deletion of the chorus vocal. What's the point, folks?

If you're only interested in the "original recordings" of your favorite oldies, then you should know that there are 3 cuts on this CD that are NOT original recordings. They are:

Third Man Theme
Autumn Leaves
Born Free

These 3 cuts were recorded in stereo for this album, rather than using the original recordings. That must be why they offer the caveat on the front of the CD, "Includes The Original Recordings Of:".

But that's not to say that this is not a good CD to own. The other 12 selections are all original recordings and some of them are hard, if not impossible, to find anywhere else. "The Poor People Of Paris" is a case in point. And it was my main reason for buying this CD. I've never seen this on any other collection.

I would have given this CD 5 stars if all the selections had been the original recordings. But even so, you may find it a good addition to your collection of oldies.

This is a pretty fair compilation, but, I think they wanted to stretch out the best hits to more than just this first CD. I have Vol II as well. Both are OK, and have a good variety of songs and artists. Check the track list, and you might want this to round out your instrumental collection.