Customer Reviews

The Best of the Andrews Sisters: 20th Century Masters (Millennium Collection)

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What can one say when you hear the opening to "BOOGIE WOOGIE BUGLE BOY", which was introduced in an "Abbott & Costello" war film in 1941, exceptional nostalgia and pure Andrew Sisters, with that unmistakable harmony. The sisters, La Verne, Maxene and Patty were all born within seven years of each other in Mound, Minnesota in the 1910's. And how about "BEAT ME DADDY, EIGHT TO THE BAR" (1940), not to mention "BEI MIR BIST DU SCHON" (1937) both very distinctive and danceable with the "Swing Craze" in mind. The stand out - "AC-CENT-TCHU-ATE THE POSTIVE" (1944) a Johnny Mercer tune, with the crooner Bing Crosby. An era to end all era's, we still reminisce about that period in American History and the music that will never fade away.

MCA Records has done a "Bang-up Job", letting us in and recreating memories of those wonderful gals - THE ANDREW SISTERS!

Total Time: 35:48 on 12 Tracks/ MCA Records - 08811 112 230 2 (2000)

When I was a kid, Bette Midler had a huge hit single, BOOGIE WOOGIE BUGLE BOY, and this was my introduction to The ANDREWS SISTERS. Thank you both, BETTE & LINDA RONSTADT for exploring the past and reviving what so many many of us, your audience, missed as a result of being born decades later. The ANDREWS SISTERS were part of the music my parents heard when they were young, and what great singers, REAL SINGERS(!), my parents were blessed to have entertain them, as well as inspire the singers of my generation! THE ANDREWS SISTERS are definitely, by far, the greatest female vocal group of all time, not only in Pop, but also classic JAZZ! Those beautifully sung harmonies and impassioned solo performances are unequaled in all of music history. These girls out perform the Supremes! I would also like to know, since the Andrews Sisters recorded over 1800 songs during their career, why are only the same two to four dozen songs only available and was there ever a Box Set? There is a bit Pop, Jazz, Swing, boogie woogie style rock and roll here way before Elvis even recorded any, just plenty of great music to entertain anybody for hours. The ANDREWS were not only an institution of entertainment during the WWII era, they were also ahead of their time, as many of their recordings demonstrate. Gorgeous ballads, mid tempo floor shufflers, and lots of upbeat swinging dance numbers here! The ANDREWS' vocals are always center & up front on all their recordings and they sound perfectly mixed above the bright horns and inspired orchestra players. WOW - 60 years ago and they sound better than current Top 40 radio artists! Getcha an ANDREWS SISTERS, Louis Armstrong, Louis Prima, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, etc. CDs - fill your multidisc player, hit the "shuffle button" and have yourself a great BLAST of FUN!

Most of these songs are classic, but the disc is too short for it's own good. Clocking in at 35:48 with only 12 songs. Ouch! Well, I guess you can look at it like an old 33 1/3 rpm. Just hit the pause button after track 6. Take a deep breath or go to the bathroom or fix a drink. Then hit the play button.

But seriously, there are so many countless trinkets missing from a collection called, "20th Century Masters: The Best of the Andrews Sisters, The Millennium Collection," wow, that's a bit long winded. But, with a title like that you ought to have Rhumboogie, Beer Barrel Polka, Well Alright, Straighten Up And Fly Right, Rumors Are Flying, etc. Don't get me wrong, it's a nice introduction but just too short.

Buyer beware!

Finally, why can't these compilations of old 78's have a few more seconds between them? Essentially we have a bunch of singles all crammed together, so why not let them have some breathing room. As I recall, the UK Beatles albums from 1963-1966 had a seven second break between songs. I loved it! It was like giving each song it's own spotlight. Oh, the days of one song at a time.

All the great hits are here in this magnificent collection from the late 30's and 40's with Patti, Maxene and LaVerne singing "Rum and Coca Cola", "Shoo Shoo, Baby" (with Mitchell Ayres Orch.) "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" "Apple Blossom Time" and of course that novel little ditty from 1939 "Hold Tight" with Jimmy Dorsey. These Greek-Norwegian gals grew up in Minnesota and admired and copied the great Boswell Sisters; Patti said "The Boswells were the best, more than 50 years later, I still think they're the best". Good as Connee, Vet and Martha were, their record sales and popularity didn't come close to the Andrews! These sides are especially good to hear today because of the Swing Revival; these three canaries really knew how to swing it - and how!

An all-too-brief budget line package, which nonetheless can serve as a handy introduction to this fabulous pop trio. The Andrews Sisters rock.

My daughter recently discovered the Andrews Sisters, proclaiming them a highlight of her day as she listens to them on Sirius while driving home from work. In doing a search on Amazon, this is the first one that pops up: The Millennium Collection. Handsome packaging and a nice photo, but 12 tunes and less than 40 minutes is a complete recording these days by LP standards; as a CD it feels like half a program, even when limited to the most essential Andrews Sisters' hits. This may do as an introduction to the undeniably talented, infectious trio for the uninitiated, but those who are already fans of the group will no doubt appreciate more bang for their buck.

You could, in fact, opt for two movies featuring the girls with "buck" in the title: Abbot and Costello's "Buck Privates" (with the indispensable "Bounce Me Brother with a Solid Four") or "Private Buckaroo" (with the delightful but relatively scarce "Six Jerks in a Jeep" not to mention "Straighten Up and Fly Right"). But a quick glance at some other CD collections will reveal some with 2-3 discs with 2-3 times as many tunes at the same or lower price.

I am the caretaker of my 90 yr old mom. I bought this for pleasure for my mom who has dementia. I put the cd on and peeked in the door and saw my mom boppin to the music of her era. It was great to see her so lively. The cd's are of good quality and I am very happy with the purchase.

20th Century Masters: The Best of the Andrews Sisters is an excellent, budget priced CD that gives people an excellent introduction (or a brief retrospective of) the marvelous sounds of The Andrews Sisters. The Andrews Sisters were extremely popular in their day and this CD demonstrates why. They remain one of my favorite groups even today!

The CD starts off with their smash hit "Bei Mir Bist Du Schöen." The three sisters harmonize perfectly although, unfortunately, there is some surface noise on the track. At any rate, I think you'll like "Bei Mir Bist Du Schöen" very much. "Hold Tight (Want Some Sea Food)" has the sisters singing once again; and they never sounded better. They possessed an incredible ability to harmonize swing tunes and make them sound positively electric. Incredible!

"I'll Be With You In Apple Blossom Time" again has surface noise; but this romantic ballad is at its best when these three sisters sing it. "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" switches gears very quickly; this next tune on the album swings brightly and the sisters keep up a great, fast rhythm that impresses me very much.

"Rum And Coca-Cola" is a great Latin themed ballad that was very popular at the time; and this swingin' tune sounds as soft and romantic as silk when The Andrews Sisters perform it. Moreover, listen for "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive" by Bing Crosby together with The Andrews Sisters. When Bing recorded with The Andrews Sisters there was always an excellent tune as the result of it; and "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive" is certainly no exception.

The album ends with "I Can Dream, Can't I?" This sweet number gets the royal treatment and the strings enhance this ballad very well. The background chorus sounds great, too.

The liner notes aren't much but you buy the CD for the music anyhow. I do wish, however, that they had added a song or two--at 35 minutes the CD is a tad short.

In short, The Andrews Sisters really shine on this CD even with a bit of surface noise on a couple of the twelve tracks. This inexpensively priced collection should be enough to whet the appetite of newcomers to The Andrews Sisters; and fans on a budget will enjoy this CD, too.

This was great. It has the songs I wanted most. Sound is clear. Neat CD.
Glad I can get this stuff from Amazon.

I love this CD!! I play it all the time now and my 2 young daughters love it too. We walk aroung singing "Hold tight..." and I've played it for my friends as well. We think it's a hoot that these girls were really jammin back in the 40's and the big bands in the background are amazing!