Customer Reviews

Beyond the Sea

5 star:		(63)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I can't imagine anyone doing a better rendition of Darin's songs, so much so that I practically felt like I was in the presence of Darin's ghost while listening to this CD -and the ghost was smiling, snapping his fingers and saying, "Go, man, go!" Totally hip, very, very cool interpretations of Darin's music, but with a unique twist here and there by Spacey. Perhaps Darin's fans will scoff but they shouldn't. This is an amazing work, only whetting my appetite for the movie. The love and passion for Darin's music shows through. Word is, Spacey's mother was a fan of Bobby Darin and if she were alive, I'm betting she'd be moved to tears by Spacey's devotion to Darin's biopic/drama/glimpse into his life. What a wonderful homage to a man who only lived a short time (37 years) as well as a bravura homage to Spacey's mother. ..and her love of Darin's music.

The first question, the one of Kevin Spacey's singing ability is answered quickly. He can. This is not an actor making a fool of himself singing poorly. We have William Shatner to laugh at for that.

The real question is whether or not this is CD worth buying. The novelty of Kevin Spacey singing will not be enough over the long term.

One one hand, Spacey is great. He does a remarkable copy of Bobby Darin. However, on the other hand, having grown up hearing Darin, I can easily hear it isn't Darin.

Spacey sings too close to Darin to call these reinterpretations or even cover songs. Like not quite matching clothes, it feels slightly off. He is trying to sing as Darin sang.

I would go hear Spacey sing these songs live. When choosing to buy this CD or not, consider buying a genuine Darin compilation for the songs, and this one for the memories of the movie.

Anthony Trendl
editor, HungarianBookstore.com

"Beyond the Sea" is one of the best albums I have heard in a long while. Mr. Spacey proves he is a singer to be reckoned with. He has what the greatest singers of popular music have possessed: talent, timing, phrasing, and belief in the material. Kevin Spacey has the ability of capitivating his audience during this intimate listening experience. He injects the essence of Bobby Darin into his reading of the lyric, but he is very much present in these tracks and it is evident that he loves what he is doing! The arrangements sparkle; the sound quality is marvelous; the musicians are the best I've heard in years. Phil Ramone...bless you for carrying the torch. The liner notes are awesome. From "Beyond the Sea" to "Simple Song of Freedom," you will not be disappointed. This album is not only cinematic; it's theatrical. In fact, you may file "Beyond the Sea" between your favorite Darin, Nat Cole, and Sinatra albums. Enjoy.

There are plenty of naysayers who have voiced their opinion of Kevin Spacey's film on the life of Bobby Darin. "He's too old." "His ego is bigger than Hollywood itself." "This is a vanity project." How wrong they are. Kevin Spacey is a talent who takes risks, goes beyond convention, and is not always met with kind words. He makes no bones about being a Darin fan. When it comes to celebrating the life and talent of the incomparable Bobby Darin, nobody threw themselves into such a project with such unabashed love, devotion and dedication to detail as Spacey. When it comes to singing, Mr. Spacey is not a surprise. The man has some chops. Always had them, always will. He sang on the "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" sountrack (That Old Black Magic"), and has taken to the mike on Saturday Night Live and various performances on stage while a young actor. So, when he decided to sing the works of Bobby Darin himself, it seemed quite appropriate, considering he has the goods to back it up.

The soundtrack to "Beyond The Sea" is a wonderfully produced compilation of the best of Darin. Some of these tunes did not make it into the film, such as "If I Were A Carpenter"; yet, the verve of the band, and the production values, so lovingly produced in the legendary Abbey Road studios in London, have lent a lustrious, lively feel to the works of such songs as "Hello Young Lovers" and "Once Upon A Time", a song so gorgeous and sweet, you'd swear Darin is hovering by with tears in his eyes. Kevin Spacey is as close to Darin as you can get without being a copy cat version - rather, he is singing from his own heart with a limited vibrato, and a more muted way of hitting a note than the versatile Darin; however, that is not a dismissal of Spacey's talent. He has a handsome, smooth voice that fits comfortably into Darin's style. (And the puts in those fabulous "Eeks!" during "Mack the Knife" just like the original).

This is a terrific tribute. It celebrates the life and music of a singer who died so young that a generation of people may never know about him if not for Spacey. Spacey wants to introduce you to Darin. He doesn't want you to think he is Darin or better than the man himself. Listen to Spacey's soundtrack, fall in love with the music - then go out and buy Bobby's original album! There seems to be no one who wants that more than Spacey.

Spacey certainly does not have to apologize for his voice. He sounds a lot like Darin on this CD, of course, but clearly he knows his way around a song. It will be a shame if he does not work on a second album, this time being "himself." I have not seen the movie yet, but hope to rent the DVD in a week or two. I became a Darin fan when he released "Splish Splash" way back in the late '50's. In fact, I have a clear memory of putting a nickel in a jukebox at the local diner to play the 45 for the first time. This CD has good photos from the film, nice liner notes, and happiest of all, the classic "ATCO" label that Bobby had his biggest hits with. While the song "Beyond the Sea" is my favorite Darin performance, I also love "Simple Song of Freedom" and several others included on this soundtrack. Only two tracks of 18 fail to impress..."Lazy River" and "As Long as I'm Singing"---primarily because Kevin shares the time with other singers. The other 16 bring back good memories of the 1959--73 Bobby Darin era. Way to go, Mr. Spacey. Maybe the film was not the hit you hoped for, but the CD is a home run all the way.

Not only can Kevin Spacey sing but he can sing alongside Sinatra, Martin, Bennett and Darin. His rendition of "Once Upon a Time" is breathtakingly beautiful. "Lazy River" has dialogue cuts from the movie but when Kevin interjects, you wish he'd sung "Lazy River" in its entirety because he teases you with how great he does it. Fabulous CD and a must have for anyone who just enjoys hearing a magnificent singing voice.

We have just returned to our hotel after viewing Beyond The Sea in London. The film is excellent and the music is even better. Kevin Spacey delivers a punch as Bobby Darin. I have just ordered the CD and can't wait to relive the experience. Spacey's musical talents are a terrific surprise. Spacey developed and directed a screenplay that enables the real-life story to be told while capturing the essence of the music. Hats off to Mr. Spacey and his cast!

First off, I'm a trombonist, and I'd hope to be in a band like this some day. John Wilson and the Orchestra is absolutely amazing at taking these charts and playing them perfectly. Secondly, Spacey has an amazing voice. I wish he did more cd's, cause I'd buy them. He's got a great voice. I'd honestly rather listen to him than Harry Connick Jr. He's that good. So please buy this. You'll love it. And don't listen to those who think Spacey is off key and stuff, cause honestly, i doubt they know what "off key" actually is. He's a great singer and it's a great soundtrack.

I first heard Kevin Spacey sing "That Old Black Magic" on the soundtrack CD to "Midnight in Garden of Good and Evil" and what a surprise that was. He has a marvelous voice. I was hoping that he would record more songs and when I heard about the movie "Beyond the Sea" with him playing Bobby Darin I could not wait to get the soundtrack. His voice is great and I enjoyed the CD there is only one song on the CD that he has problems with and that is "That's All" The song is swinging as Bobby did it instead of the slow ballad that one is used to hearing associated with the song. When Kevin attemps to sing scat on it the song crumbles. I thought he sounded like Elmer Fudd on one scat segment and on the other I was not sure. Kevin is good looking, a great actor, and with time and experience the voice will take on more sophistication that one would associate with jazz and singing scat. The CD is wonderful, the singing is geat, and the orchestrations are wonderful and true to the original Darrin hits.

Great job Kevin, I want to hear you singing.

It's been a long time since I've heard a band swing this hard! Kevin Spacey has managed to re-create the 1950's big band jazz studio vibe letter perfectly -- even using Bobby Darin's original arrangements. Although all of the tracks are great, the standout tracks here are "Hello, Young Lovers", "That's All", "Charade", and "Artificial Flowers".

The thing you have to understand about Kevin Spacey is that he is an amazing mimic (his Christopher Walken and Jack Lemmon impersonations are the best I've ever heard). So, it was no surprise that he nails Bobby Darin (he admits that he has been a die-hard Bobby Darin fan since childhood). Unlike the previous reviewer, I think Kevin's scatting works here because he is mimicking Bobby Darin's exact scat syllables (it even sounds like he is doing a little Jack Lemmon in his scat). Whatever the case, it sounds like he, the big band, and the orchestra are having fun dusting off these vintage charts. This album is a MUST HAVE for BD fans and big band fans alike!