Customer Reviews

Can't Help Singing

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

 

 

The Jasmine CD is of original film soundtracks. As a result, it includes a number of songs not usually found in her albums - Goodbye, Danny Boy, Lover, and The Old Refrain. That's great! Unfortunately, Jasmine didn't take the time/effort to bring them up to the fidelity level found in some of Durbin's other CD's. And, since it's a collection of soundtracks, you occasionally get snatches of dialogue you don't find in her studio recordings. Altogether - pleasant and worthwhile, but there are better examples of her music available.

Perhaps the most beautiful voice to ever come out of Hollywood and the movies, Deanna Durbin saved an entire studio from bankruptcy with a string of successful pictures in her youth. Both her roles and her recording career matured and by the mid-1940's she had become a fine actress with a very distinct personality and voice.

Original plans of the lovely Canadian songbird to be an operatic diva were eclipsed by the movies, and fans can be grateful for the many wonderful memories given them because of fate. Even within the confines of her pictures Deanna Durbin left little doubt she would have been considered one of the great opera stars had the movies not come along so that it became a road not taken.

In many ways, Durbin paved the way for opera stars of today who show no qualms branching out into popular music. This wonderful collection of songs showcases Durbin at her vocal best. Many of the songs are from her films and will stir memories for film buffs. These are not just memories of the films, however, but of the lovely Durbin herself, who chose to leave Hollywood in the late 1940's and finally live a normal life. She never looked back, but we can.

This particular collection is not only fabulous in its choice of selections, but in quality as well. Many imports of Durbin's vocal magic let us down in this respect. This collection, however, is quite good, and outstanding on many songs. It is not perfect by any means, but sure to be coveted by Deanna Durbin's fans.

Rarities like "Say a Prayer For the Boys Over There" and the beautiful "La Estrellita" have been included and are great to hear once again. Songs like "It's Raining Sunbeams" are hard to find and even familiar songs are shown to their best advantage. "Love Is All" is one of the most beautiful songs ever written and this version by Deanna Durbin is clean and lovely.The same can be said of "More and More" and "My Own."

The icing on the cake here, however, is "The Turntable Song." This magnificent and bouncy song from "Something In the Wind" would surely have been a huge hit had it not come so late in the era. It very much has that Big Band sound of many huge hits of the Swing era. It is one of Durbin's most fun songs, yet atypical as it was popular music rather than opera. It is a sheer delight those fond of Durbin's music will find themselves playing over and over.

This was a cherished gift from friends for my birthday and I could not be happier with it. Deanna Durbin will always be remembered by both film and music buffs. She bridged the gap between what was then considered the stuffy opera crowd and popular music. Durbin proved you could like both or, in fact, sing both were you so inclined and gifted.

There was no bigger or more beloved star in movies than Deanna Durbin. Songbirds come and go but "The Last Rose of Summer" will forever remain in bloom for film and music lovers of days gone by.

Not the best quality CD but still good. The thing about this CD is the fact that the songs are recordings are from the movies the songs come from, so sometimes there will be some talking form other actors in the song. But that could be that the oringials may be lost. If you saw the movie and like the song as on the movie then this CD's for you.

My dad loves old movies & their soundtracks. He especially loves this one. Fast shipper. Great value. Thanx.

I found the Jasmine recording good. Not excellent but it could be due to less than high fidelity in the original soundtrack. It should have included the Brindisi of Verdi's Traviata, it is one of Deanna's best performance: lively, brilliant and merry.