Customer Reviews

Billboard Top Pop Hits: 1963

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
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There are a lot of great hits on this album but the one that I most favor, not just for 1963, but for all time, is the song written by Rokusuke Ei, and sung by one of the greatest Japanase singers of all time: Kyu Sakamoto. The song being called "Sukiyaki" in America but released in Japan in 1961 as "Ue O Muite Aruko" (I look up When I Walk). The song was inspired by actual events of the times in that Rokusuke Ei had his heart broke by the Japanese Actress, Meiko Nakamura. Nonetheless, noone could have sung the song as great or as well as Kyu Sakamoto. I will cherish his songs for all my days. And, if you do not believe this, listen to the partial song here on Amazon, and then buy the Billboard album itself to hear the entire song. AND then, try to find the actual album "The Very Best of Kyu Sakamoto". The tragic part is, Kyu is no longer with us as he was killed in the famous aircraft accident of 1985 on August 12th: JAL Flight 123, a 747 bound for Haneda Airport in Tokyo to Osaka. It took 30 minutes for this plane to hit the ground after pieces of its tail section broke off. Enough time for passengers to write farewells to their loved ones. This is one Story that should have been made into a movie: the life of Kyu Sakamoto and his family and friends. Thank you!

I popped this CD in my player going to work the other day and my van became a time machine which transported me immediatly back to 1963. I am riding down Broad Street in Richmond, Va. in my friend's Impala SS, listening to WLEE on the radio play "Rhythm Of The Rain" by the Cascades and am 20 years old again.

All the songs on this CD are winners but the two most unusual selections are "Sukiyaki" sung completely in Japanese by Kyu Sakamota and "Dominique" sung in French by The Singing Nun. My other personal favorite is the surreal "Sally, Go Round The Roses" by the Jaynetts.

I really never cared all that much for "Hey Paula" by Paul and Paula but they were part of that special time in my life and I am glad that Rhino is doing such a great job of preserving these songs of my generation.

I bought this CD because I wanted "Sukiyaki" by the original artist, but this CD also many other great songs like "Blue Velvet", "Dominque", and "Rhythm Of The Rain". It also has a couple of great instrumentals, "Pipeline" and "Wipe Out".

Billboard Top Pop Hits: 1963 is a very strong and enjoyable installment in this multi CD series of great pop hits from back in the day. The sound quality lacks nothing; it's very good. The artwork is nice and this will bring back so many good memories for the people who first heard these tunes on the radio!

The Rooftop Singers starts things right with their folk rock hit "Walk Right In;" this tune really has a great beat and the guitar arrangement is sublime! The Rooftop Singers sing this in perfect harmony and the overall effect is very warm and strong. I love it! Kyu Sakamoto continues the hits with his great "Sukiyaki." I don't understand what he's singing but this is a beautiful ballad that cannot be missed. I predict that you will enjoy "Sukiyaki" very much.

Listen also for Paul & Paula doing their smash hit, "Hey Paula." This adorable tune captures both the innocence and honesty of young true love in days when life seemed simpler. Paul & Paula make this a magical tune as they harmonize; the keyboards and percussion carry the bulk of the melody and it all works rather well.

The Cascades perform "Rhythm Of The Rain" with such style it amazes me; the percussion is cool and The Cascades sing this like the pros they always were! "Rhythm Of The Rain" is easily a major highlight of this album.

Bobby Vinton sings his hauntingly beautiful number entitled "Blue Velvet" without a superfluous note; and the musical arrangement lacks nothing--it's THAT good. Bobby has excellent diction and this makes his singing very special. In addition, there's also Dale & Grace performing "I'm Leaving It Up To You." "I'm Leaving It Up To You" has a country twist to it and this number shines just as fresh as it did the first time I ever heard it! The musical interlude, however brief, is very nicely done.

The album ends nicely with The Surfaris on "Wipe Out." This number benefits hugely from the clever use of the drums and the beat is infectiously catchy; you will enjoy "Wipe Out!" This is classic early `60s pop music.

Billboard Top Pop Hits: 1963 is chock full of great music. Whether you're new to this genre of music or an oldies lover from back in the day, you are bound to enjoy this album.

Is it my affection for 1963 or what? Despite the two-few number of songs on these CDs. this one scores for me. Again, I can name 10 more that meet the criteria, but these will do. Like another reviewer, my favorite is "Sally Go 'Round the Roses". (It was reported that they tried finding a member of the Jaynettes just a few years later to give her royalties for the song being on a compilation album but could not; talk about a disappearing act.) And when "Walk Right In" seemed to stay on the Top 40 FOREVER, a reporter from the Memphis, TN., Commercial Appeal paper went looking for the song's author and found him living in a tarpaper shack. Did he get royalties? What do you think? When marriage was still a romantic notion that most people could commit to, "Hey Paula" by Ray Hildebrand and Jill Jackson (Paul and Paula) was a favorite of ours too. This is a very good representation of the songs of 1963.

Since almost all of these tracks are hard to find elsewhere, this CD is perhaps the most worthy of early 60s pop compilations. All original versions of hits with great sound.

It was exciting ordering over the internet and I received product very timely and securely. Happy with service adn happy with product.

Thank you,
Kim

This album is definantly a must-have for the avid oldies collector. Spotlighting various artists all the way from Bobby Vinton to Kyu Sakamoto and his #1 compellaton, Sukiyaki, the songs are presented in a well-written pamphlet on the subject written by Joel Whitburn, the man for the Billboard chart era. Although the cover design is not what you might call glamourous, the songs and the price are unbeatable. If you like one song by a particular artist but don't want to blow fifty bucks on a whole arsenal of songs that you would'nt put in there if you had a choice, then this one's for you.

I have been searching for a song that was on this alblum for quite some time. And I finally found it. I thank you very much. I really enjoy listening to this music. I am 62 yeaars old and I still like the music from the fifties. Roger Brunn, Holland, Ohio sss43528

I bought this mainly for the Kyu Sakamoto track (Suki Yaki), but there are other classic tracks to take me back to my early teens, especiall tracks by the Cascades, Bobby Vinton, Chantays & Surfaris.
Even if you're too young to remember these first time round, they are ageless, and would appeal to a wide variety of people.