Customer Reviews

Andrews Sisters - Their All-Time Greatest Hits

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I'm a younger Andrews Sisters fan. I heard "Rum and Coca Cola" and boy, I wanted to hear more! The first CD of theirs I bought was a Capitol CD which was actually a re-recording of their hits they made in the 50's (I didn't realize until I opened it!) It just didn't have the magic of what I had heard before. Then I bought this one. Major difference! This one is incredible! Great liner notes booklet and a nice touch: the CD's are printed with an exact copy of the black inner ring of the original Decca records. Shoo-Shoo Baby, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, Christmas Island, these are all great!

This two-CD set of the Andrews Sisters contains most of their important hits from 1938-1950. For those who enjoyed the era of swingin' jazzy hits from this time period, the sisters have to be recognized as one of the most influential groups of the period. All the greats are here: "Rum and Coca-Cola" to "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" to "Apple Blossom Time", etc. There are many singles featuring Bing Crosby as well, and these are by far the most enjoyable, especially "(Is You Is or Is You Ain't) My Baby" and "Pistol Packin' Mama". Though the trio is known for upbeat numbers like "..Bugle Boy", they also croon a mean ballad. Besides "Apple Blossom Time", there is also "Jealous", "The Shrine of St. Cecelia", and "I Can Dream, Can't I". Listen to the great team-ups with other Hollywood notables, Carmen Miranda (on "Cuanto La Gusta") and Danny Kaye ("South America, Take It Away"). There are a few throwaways, to be sure (I really could have done without "Woody Woodpecker") but there aren't that many. It is hard to think of World War II culture without conjuring up the Andrews Sisters. More younger people (like myself) are appreciating the music of this era more and more. It was fun, it was danceable, and it was timeless (still is!) Because it is a two-disc set, it costs a bit more, but it is sure worth it. To anyone who may want to experience more of the music of the 1930's-1940's, try this one first. I believe you'll find it worthwhile.

This collection from MCA features many of the trio's 46 Top-10 Billboard hits, and contains pristine audio on such classic swinging tracks as "Hold Tight-Hold Tight," "Shortenin' Bread," "Pistol Packin' Mama" (w/ Bing Crosby), and "You Call Everybody Darling." Alternate takes rather than released hits strangely turn up on "Ferryboat Serenade," "The Shrine of Saint Cecilia," "The Blue Tail Fly" (w/ Burl Ives), and two tracks w/ Russ Morgan. The liner notes are very informative and take you back to a time when LaVerne, Patty & Maxene reigned supreme as the queens of the jukebox machines! For more info on the trio's impressive career, which continued on through the 1960s, ...

These brilliant sisters clocked up well over 100 hits in the American charts, sometimes in duets with others. No compilation could possibly contain all of them, but most of them have been made available on CD. To acquire as many as possible, I have collected several compilations of their music, but this is my favorite, because it contains all the famous songs and comes with extensive liner notes. Sadly, it appears to be out of print as I review this.

Among the classic songs here are their number one hits Bie mir bist der schoen, Ferryboat serenade, Shoo-shoo baby, Don't fence me in (with Bing Crosby), Rum and cocoa cola, I can dream can't I and I wanna be loved. The last two are billed as Patty Andrews solo, but LaVerne and Maxene sing backup. As Patty was the lead singer anyway, the difference between a Patty Andrews solo and an Andrews sisters record is not obvious. Another famous song here is Beer barrel polka (Roll out the barrel).

Although they recorded some ballads, the best and most famous of which is I'll be with you in apple blossom time, their speciality was upbeat, swinging songs. You might think that these would be similar to each other, but the sources for their songs were many and varied, including songs of European and Mexican origin.

What made them unique in mainstream pop was their recording technique. Almost all their singing was a capella, with musicians playing their instruments when the ladies weren't singing. On those occasions where musicians did play as they sang, their playing was very restrained. This was even true on their duets, including those with Bing. The musicians play while Bing sings, but as soon as the sisters start to sing, the musicians stop.

If you only want one Andrews sisters collection and you don't want more than a doublr-CD, this is the one to buy if you can find it.

Jasmine Records in the UK have released a 4-CD box (Golden age) to go with eheir double CD (Now is the time). I haven't checked the track listing of Golden age, but I suspect that Jasmine may have provided what Andrews sisters fans have long awaited - a comprehensive hits package.

This 2 CD set of the Andrews Sisters contains some of their important songs. A number of the greats are here: The Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy to "Rum and Coca Cola. There are a number of tracks that could have been left off for some GREAT tracks like: Lullaby of Broadway, Daddy or South American Way, just to name a few. One of the problems with this set is that a number of the hits MCA included weren't as good (or timeless) as the songs that perhaps didn't chart, but now are clearly stronger. Where are killer tracks like: Scrub Me Mama With A Boogie Beat, Jack Of All Trades, Corns For My Country, Wake Up and Live, Gimmie Some Skin My Friend, Your Red Wagon...well you get the point. And, for this fan, I think there are far too many songs with guest vocalists. Its almost like MCA thought the Andrews needed help to get through a double disc set.
The Andrews really need an in depth three-disc set, maybe even four discs,
with a good size booklet that would flow along with the running order.
Over the years I've collected various Andrews collections (including this one) and have ended up just making my own 4 disc collection.

I highly recommend this CD for anyone who wants to have a great time listening to GREAT singers. My dad bought this CD just for one song, Rumors are Flying (with Les Paul) but my whole family found out that pretty much all of the songs are awesome. This CD is expensive...yes... but every cent is worth it!