Customer Reviews

Best of Brenda Lee

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Brenda Lee began her career, aged just eleven, in 1956, but did not have a British hit until 1960. In total, she had twenty-two UK hits between 1960 and 1965 but she had many more than that in America. Generally, the British public seem to prefer her up-tempo rockers while the American public seem to prefer her ballads. I am an exception to the general rule, being a Brit who likes her ballads best, although I enjoy her rocking songs too.

While many classic tracks are missing (for example, I want to be wanted, Emotions, Break it to me gently), this is only a budget-priced album and it does contain all of Brenda's British top ten hits. The biggest of these, Speak to me pretty, was never released as a single in America although I can't think why - it is a great song. Brenda's other UK top ten hits were Sweet nothings, Here comes that feeling, Rocking around the Christmas tree, All alone am I and As usual.

I'm sorry, Let's jump the broomstick, Dum dum, Fool number one, It started all over again and Sweet impossible you are the other British hits included here. Several others (including I wonder and Is it true, both of which made the UK top twenty) are omitted, but Jambalaya (the song that started Brenda's career in America) is here, along with several other great tracks.

For a comprehensive collection of Brenda's hits, you should go for the double CD, Anthology. However, because it is an American compilation, it omits Speak to me pretty. As an introduction to the music of the most important female rock'n'roll singer, this is excellent.

Tracks

Sweet nothings
I'm sorry
That's all you gotta do
Dum dum
Fool number one
Rocking around the Christmas tree
All alone am I
Let's jump the broomstick
You can depend on me
Jambalaya
Speak to me pretty
Here comes that feeling
It started all over again
Dynamite
My coloring book
Heart in hand
My whole world is falling down
Sweet impossible you

Finally, a C.D. with the fabulous song: It Started All Over Again, written by Carole King and Gerry Goffin.
Originally, the song was released with the flip side: Heart In Hand, which is also on this C.D.
Although It Started All Over Again is in Mono it has a very clean sound, much better then my worn 45 RPM record I bought in the summer of 1962.
Both songs are great and Heart in Hand is in fabulous Stereo.
Although That's all you Gotta Do is available in Stereo on other C.D.s it's in mono on this C.D.
The Brenda Lee Anthology 2 disc C.D. set is best for her hits but this is where you'll find It Started All Over Again, One of Brenda Lee' best songs.

Breanda Lee is truly one of a kind, one of the great female vocalists of our time, influencing many female vocalists of today.
Great many rarities include "My Whole World is Falling Down" and "Speak to Me Pretty"
wonderful cd, grab it if you can find it, a true gem! :)