Because of You

James Darren | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 10, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Concord Records
• ASIN: B00005M0FX
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #25,459 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #35 in Music > Indie Music > Pop > Pop Rock
  • #77 in Music > Indie Music > Pop > Traditional & Vocal Pop

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Winner All the Way!!!!, July 13, 2001

By 

B. J. Lane "jazzbo" (Levittown, PA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Because of You (Audio CD)

While browsing at a Tower Records store, I saw James' new CD and had to buy it immediately. Although he's concentrated on acting and directing for a long time, it's great to hear him singing again. His previous CD "This One's from the Heart" was great (I'm sad that I sold my copy but will buy another one), but I cannot find a better word for this one.

I tip my hat to Patrick Williams for not only conducting so brilliantly, but also for contributing half of the charts -his treatment of "Just One of Those Things" (a chart he originally wrote for Sinatra) is just great! Also, Ray Ellis (one of my favorite arrangers ever) did such beautiful writing on "Because of You," "Blame it on My Youth," and "Our Day Will Come." The other charts were wonderful, too!!!

As with his last outing, James had the support of the best studio musicians in Hollywood, world-class engineer Al Schmitt, and (this time around) world-class producer and drummer Gregg Field.

Fans of James Darren (and of great pop singing)...GRAB THIS ONE!!

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "arrangements compliment Darren's style...suits him to a T", November 25, 2001

By 

J. Lovins "Mr. Jim" (Missouri-USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Because of You (Audio CD)

Shades of Sinatra, Bennett, Martin, Darin and Connick Jr. surface with this latest release from Concord Records and Mr. James Darren ~ "Because Of You"...remember his singing from the early days...good to hear his voice and how much it still sounds the same...GREAT!

Let's touch on the stand outs ~ "MY KIND OF GIRL", composed by Leslie Bricusse is still a classic, Bricusse who worked with Henry Mancini(my favorite composer of all-time), remember Bricusse's brilliant score for the Albert Finney "SCROOGE", is watched every year during the Holiday Season at my house...another highlight is "CAN'T TAKE MY EYES OFF OF YOU", romance is the name of the game, with beautiful and touching harmony from Monica Mancini.

Every selection bears lush and lasting arrangments from Paul Williams, David Campbell, Ray Ellis and Bob Krogstadt, is the essential big band and easy listening genre...so if you're into this bag of of tricks, you WILL DIG IT...nuff said!!

Total Time: 50:52 on 14 Tracks ~ Concord Records CCD-4969-2 ~ (2001)

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another winner from a unique singer!, August 21, 2001

By 

"[e-mail]" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Because of You (Audio CD)

In some ways, this CD is a re-invention of a re-invention. In the 1950s and 60s James Darren was a noted teen-idol movie star and Grammy-nominated recording artist. A junior member of the Sinatra Rat Pack, during the 1970s he headlined in Las Vegas teamed with comedian Buddy Hackett. With his singing days supposedly left well behind him at the age of 62, his decision in 1998 to take on the role of Vic Fontaine, a cool and swinging Rat Pack-style crooner, on "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine", reawakened the singer inside of him.

The great achievement in this CD is Darren's ability to make each standard feel fresh again, thanks to his peerless velvet rasp and easy phrasing, the exceptional arrangements and eminent jazz musicians comprising the big band. But "Because of You" takes a step away from his previous CD "This One's From the Heart", delivering a slower, more mellow take on some swing standards, and lush string-backed ballads. Where "Heart" was Frank Sinatra, "Because of You" is more Tony Bennett.

As such, the Bennett-signature trio of "Because of You", "The Good Life" and "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" (the latter done here in semi-bossa-nova style) have the most influence here. It must be said that when James hits the final few notes in "Boulevard", he sounds incredibly like Bennett himself; while in "The Good Life" his delivery of the word `alone' is pure unadulterated Darren, a totally unique sound.

Overall, I must admit I prefer the more upbeat and happening style of "Heart", but Darren's undeniable talent and palpable charm makes "Because of You" simply irresistible, and a must-buy for DS9 fans and lovers of big band and romantic jazz. So as Vic Fontaine once said in toast "To whatever makes you happy!", I raise my glass to JD and respond that this CD sure did!