Customer Reviews

All-Time Greatest Hits

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3 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

"Blue Velvet singer" was a clue in the crossword puzzle today and it is good to see that the song is still remembered and not just David Lynch's movie of the same title. The same holds true for Bobby Vinton. On February 1, 1964 "I Want to Hold Your Hand" became the #1 song in the U.S. and stayed there for seven weeks, at which point it was replaced by "She Loves You" for two weeks, and then "Can't Buy Me Love" for five weeks. I bring this all up because before that epic 14 week run, the artist who had been at the top of the charts for the entire month of January 1964 was Bobby Vinton, with his third #1 hit, "There! I've Send It Again!" The previous year Vinton had spent four weeks on top with "Roses Are Red (My Love" and another three with his signature song "Blue Velvet." Vinton had his last #1 near the end of 1963 with "Mr. Lonely," but by then the face of popular music had changed.

Going into 1963 Vinton was well on his way to being the crooner for the Sixties, but then came the Beatles and the British Invasion. Despite suddenly being out of vogue, Vinton had a pretty good career throughout the decade. You might be surprised to find out that in the first decade of his career Vinton had 28 songs make it to the Billboard Top 40. But this CD only has 25 songs, so obviously some of them got left off of this one. In addition to the above #1 hits this album has "Rain, Rain Go Away" (#12), "Over the Mountain (Across the Sea)" (#21), "Blue on Blue" (#3), "My Heart Belongs to Only You" (#9), "Tell Me Why" (313), "Long Lonely Nights" (#17), "L-O-N-E-L-Y" (#22), "Satin Pillows" (#23), "Coming Home Solider" (#11), "Please Love Me Forever" (#6), "Just as Much as Ever" (#24), "Take Good Care of My Baby" (#33), "Halfway to Paradise" (#23), "I Love How You Love Me" (#9), "To Know You Is to Love You" (#34), "The Days of Sand and Shovels" (#34), "Every Day of My Life" (#24), and "Sealed With a Kiss" (#19).

So it turns out there are three songs here there were not Top 40 hits, including "My Elusive Dreams" (#46). So there is no reason to complain about including that one, however, the same cannot be said for "No Arms Can Ever Hold You" (#93) or "I'll Make You My Baby" (never charted). For the record, what is missing would be Vinton's first Top 40 song from 1962, "I Love You the Way You Are" (#38), "Let's Kiss and Make Up" (#38), "Trouble Is My Middle Name" (#33), "Clinging Vine" (#17), "What Color (Is a Man" (#38), "Dum-De-Da" (#40), and a Top 10 entry, "Dearest Santa" (#8) to go along with another holiday entry "The Bell That Couldn't Jingle" (#23). The cutoff date on this collection ends up being 1972, so "My Melody of Love" (#3) and "Beer Barrel Polka" (#33) from 1974 and 1975 get left off (Too bad: how many Top 10 this are partly sung in Polish?). So there are more Bobby Vinton hits out there. Still, this is a solid collection and the point of enumerating all of his Top 40 hits is to simply prove by the numbers that Bobby Vinton was the crooner of the 1960s.

Vinton's best known hits from the early `60s have become icons not only on Oldies Radio, but in films, commercials and elsewhere. "Roses Are Red (My Love)," "Blue On Blue," "Blue Velvet," "There! I've Said It Again" and "Mr. Lonely" are just a few of the great songs to which Vinton lent heartbreak and romance. Like a select few who came just before and after (e.g., Johnny Mathis, Bobby Rydell, Wayne Newton), Vinton thrived as a crooner in the rock `n' roll era. Especially impressive is that his success spanned across the Beatle-led British Invasion of the U.S. charts.

In addition to the chart-toppers, Vinton recorded a deep catalog of lesser-known hits and album tracks. He found both artistic and commercial success in reworking `60s hits like The Paris' Sisters' "I Love How You Love Me" and Brian Hyland's "Sealed With a Kiss," drawing out their tempos to magnify their emotion. His lush rendition of Goffin & King's "Halfway to Paradise" added a dash of Roy Orbison styled drama to Tony Orlando's original. It's surprising to note that several of the songs most closely associated with Vinton were actually covers: "Blue Velvet" was recorded by Tony Bennett in the early-50s, and "There! I've Said It Again" was a hit for Vaughn Monroe in the mid-40s.

The generously selected 25-song track songlist includes thirteen of Vinton's fourteen Top-20 singles, and a total of twenty-three Top-40s. Also included are a few lesser known, but equally interesting tracks, including a sweet cover of Johnny & Joe's "Over the Mountain (Across the Sea)," a Nashville Sound take of "My Elusive Dream," the Bobby Goldsboro-esque "The Days of Sand and Shovels," and Vinton's own "L-O-N-E-L-Y." Vinton's stint in the army not only resulted in "Mr. Lonely," but also the 1966 sequel, "Coming Home Soldier."

This is a superb collection of Vinton's most productive years at Epic, and the most complete such greatest hits disc on the market today. All of his major singles are here, except for 1964's "Clinging Vine," and his 1974 comeback on ABC, "My Melody of Love." The latter may be a casualty of inter-label licensing, but the omission of the former is mysterious. Sound quality is excellent, with finely produced true stereo throughout.

4-1/2 stars, if allowed fractional ratings.

This is a great collection of his hit songs, but they are not the original final cuts. They are likely rerecordings from a later date. Personally I'm going to go and look for the real "mcCoy." For those who have an "ear" for the exact sounds of those 50s & 60s hits we loved in our youth, you'll notice the difference. If you don't crave perfection, this CD will suffice. bougie62@hotmail.com

Bobby Vinton can still make airwaves sizzle; and when you listen to this album there will be no doubt as to why! Indeed, Bobby remains quite a special entertainer who tours to this day after receiving over twelve gold records and albums. Yes, there are one or two numbers of Bobby's that unfortunately didn't make it to this disc ("Clinging Vine" and "My Melody of Love" are not here); but overall this is still a strong single CD compilation. In addition, the quality of the sound is excellent and that artwork is great. Although every song on this album is easily a winner, I'll try to write this review primarily about the songs that are very, very special in my opinion. Another reviewer writes that these are not the final versions of his songs; but a few of them do seem to be the final cuts or extremely like them. In fact, even if none of them were final cuts, as someone who enjoys Bobby's artistry it's actually pretty interesting to hear alternate renditions of these classic ballads.

"Roses Are Red (My Love)" starts the album with a huge hit for Bobby; he sings this at his usual very best and it's a very poignant song. "Rain, Rain Go Away" also features Bobby Vinton in the spotlight; he sings this with panache and I'm very impressed. "Blue on Blue" is beautifully performed by Bobby; and that music perfectly complements Bobby as he sings the lyrics to this tune that is very pretty even if the lyrics aren't all that happy. "Blue Velvet" was a cover that Bobby aced as effortlessly as if it were mere breathing; but of course we know it really wasn't all that easy--Bobby's talent carries him through. "There! I've Said It Again" is easily one of the major highlights of the entire album; I always enjoy hearing Bobby deliver this with his excellent diction and genuine emotion!

"My Heart Belongs to Only You" is quite romantic; and "Tell Me Why" was yet another gem that glistened like silver and gold whenever Bobby sang it! "Tell Me Why" has a fine musical arrangement, too. "Mr. Lonely," a number inspired by Bobby's stint in the army, is faultlessly performed by Bobby who throws himself completely into this melancholy ballad; it's so beautiful. "Long Lonely Nights" is yet another standout; Bobby's singing stuns me with its beauty; his voice is really special.

"L-O-N-E-L-Y" is certainly memorable; and "Satin Pillows" has a fine backup chorus to enhance this number--not that Bobby needed backup but they do sound pretty good. "Coming Home Soldier" is another charmer inspired by Bobby's time in the army that Bobby delivers with all his heart and soul; and listen for "Please Love Me Forever;" "Just as Much as Ever" and "Take Good Care of My Baby" with Bobby squarely in the spotlight--which is right where he belongs! "I Love How You Love Me," a cover of a song recorded earlier by The Paris Sisters, sports a lush arrangement that is very easy on the ear; and I also enjoy Bobby's fine "I Love How You Love Me" with those backup vocalists.

"No Arms Can Ever Hold You" uses the strings to great advantage; Bobby delivers this without ever letting go of a single superfluous note! "Every Day of My Life" also lets Bobby open up and showcase the operatic qualities of his voice; and the CD ends with Bobby Vinton performing his rendition of a song Brian Hyland recorded, "Sealed With a Kiss."

Bobby Vinton never disappointed his adoring fans; and it's no wonder--with THIS voice Bobby could do no wrong. He never will do wrong, either. As I mentioned above, he still tours to this day--catch him in concert if you can! This album is a must-have for Bobby's fans.

This is a great example of real sentimental harmonious and nostalgic music. It has you go through a roller coaster of emotions from happiness and joy, to sadness and melancholy. A wonderful addition to your music collection, for the serious music connoseur.

I am extemely happy with this purchase. There are 3 songs on it I haven't found on any other CDs. I have them on an album but a CD and they are my favorite of his songs.

These are indeed the original recordings from the Bobby Vinton Sessions that everyone knows and loves. The re-mastering was completed at Capitol Studios and is sonically suited to the tracks, lending overall warmth to Bobby's vocals, backing chorus and orchestration. Outstanding perfection in arrangements, performances and genuine American pop culture are offered here for endless hours of enjoyment. These impeccable arrangements and performances of all of his classics do not require justification and have endured the test of time. They are executed so well that it's easy to take for granted the prowess of the engineers right down to the studio, itself, including Vinton's keen sensibility for vocal phrasing and his perfect intonation talent. In comparison to today's standards, the tasteful understated orchestration is timeless. Bobby Vinton is the quintessence of hard work and perfection, not to mention the enormous big band impresario portfolio he has under his belt. The guy is a walking musical encyclopedia; not to mention that many of his recordings were recorded at one of the most highly praised recording studios on the planet - Columbia's 30th Street Studio C (aka the Church.) One can detect the acoustics, ambiance and air of this impressive room in these first-rate recordings. He also recorded at Columbia Studio B on 52nd St. Today's contemporary digital recordings cannot compete. Just a side note - regrettably, Studio C,the Church, was demolished 30 years ago in favor of raising an apartment complex in its place. The treasure trove of classics that were recorded there is impressive, including Tony Bennett's I Left My Heart in San Francisco and Miles Davis' landmark LP, Kind of Blue. You are really getting a treat of excellently crafted songs and performances, and also a great re-mastering of classics, many of which were recorded in arguably the best recording studio of all time. This is American pop culture and history you are holding in your hands!

Bobby Vinton was hugely popular in America during the sixties though he didn't make much impact in Britain at the time, scoring only a top twenty hit (Roses are red) and a top thirty hit (There I've said it again). Following its use in a commercial, Blue velvet made number two in the UK charts in 1990, thereby awakening British interest is this excellent singer although there no further UK hits except for a re-issue of Roses are red.

I'm glad that Bobby finally gained recognition in the UK, however belatedly, because he was a singer of real quality. Apart from Bobby's own hits, which (in America) included such classics as Mr Lonely and Blue on blue, Bobby also did some fine covers including Halfway to paradise (a USA hit for Tony Orlando and a UK hit for Billy Fury), Take good care of my baby (Bobby Vee), To know you is to love you (a hit for the Teddy bears in the fifties and Peter and Gordon in the sixties), I love how you love me (Paris sisters) and Sealed with a kiss (Brian Hyland - this eventually became a UK hit again when covered by Jason Donovan).

Fans of early sixties pop music should give Bobby Vinton a listen. Some American hits from the sixties is missing as well as his later seventies music, but this compilation will satisfy surely most people.

Very good album for someone who remembers the very good music from the 70's. I was looking for the nice song "Every day of my life" and I have found it on this CD. Bobby Vinton is well known and there are more CD's with so many classic songs of that time in his very good voice.

For a decade between 1962 and 1972, Bobby Vinton's easy-going, unpretentious pop tunes climbed the charts over and over. Even more remarkable was his seamless presence on the charts in spite of the British Invasion, a watershed event that spelled the demise of so many established American pop idols and teenage superstar wanna-bes. There have been numerous collections of Vinton' recordings over the CD era but given the magnitude of his charted tunes, no collection has yet done it all.

This new entry from Varese Vintage, while not able to be comprehensive in only a single-disc collection, does it better than any of its predecessors. Most of his biggest hits from his stint with Epic Records are here with the notable exception of "Clinging Vine", a top-20 tune from 1964. And, possibly in an acknowledgement that his earlier Epic recordings have been the focus of reissues in the past, this collection gathers up more of his later, if lower-charting, hits including one track, "I'll Make You My Baby", that made it only to the very outside edge (101) of the top 100 in 1971. While this effort to bring some previously unavailable tracks to the market is a definite plus here, the major letdown is the omission of any of Vinton's work for the ABC label in the mid-70's after parting ways with Epic. While the biggest of his ABC recordings, "My Melody Of Love" is available on CD, his other recordings of that era still languish in the vaults. Consequently, calling this piece "All Time Greatest Hits" just doesn't ring true when Vinton's top-3 "My Melody..." is shunned.

That being said, for what it does cover, this piece is the best to come along, even when compared to multi-disc Vinton sets that are currently available. Sound quality is first-rate, all tracks are in stereo, and the liner notes booklet provides a career retrospective, albeit restricted for the most part, to Vinton's Epic recording years.

Until a comprehensive multi-disc collection comes along, this is the best collection available on this pop icon of the 60's and 70's. In spite of the missing "My Melody Of Love", for those seeking to add that one Vinton CD to their library, this piece offers, by far, the most bang for the buck.