Cocktail Mix, Vol. 3: Swingin' Singles

Cocktail Mix (series) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 23, 1996)
• Original Release Date: January 23, 1996
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rhino
• ASIN: B0000033PF
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #149,194 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #63 in Music > Pop > Easy Listening > Retro Space Age

Track Listings

1. Lady Is a Tramp

2. Not Me

3. Tequila

4. Heart

5. One Mint Julep

6. Be Bop the Beguine

7. Come On-A My House

8. Come by Sunday

9. Something for Cat

10. 42nd Street

11. A Fine Romance

12. That Old Black Magic

13. Fascinating Rhythm

14. Ain't That a Kick in the Head

15. Guys and Dolls

16. Are You Havin' Any Fun

17. La Dolce Vita

18. Mademoiselle Kitt

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic cocktail, swing, and camp all in one., May 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Cocktail Mix, Vol. 3: Swingin' Singles (Audio CD)

Great tunes from the '50s and '60s sung by all the heavy hitters, Ella Fitzgerald to Dean Martin. And where else can find Robert Mitchum singing Calypso?

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Swingin' Singles, February 19, 2005

By 

Johnny Heering "trivia buff" (Bethel, CT United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cocktail Mix, Vol. 3: Swingin' Singles (Audio CD)

This is a fine compilation of "adult pop" from 1949 to 1964. What unifies the music on this compilation is that either the arrangements, lyrics, or the delivery of the singer are more playful and vibrant than other treatments of the same songs performed by other artists. This is truly fun, swinging music. If you enjoy adult pop of the '50s and '60s, you will definitely dig this CD.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars now THIS is music for the millions !!!, August 9, 2009

By 

Matthew G. Sherwin (last seen screaming at Amazon customer service) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Cocktail Mix, Vol. 3: Swingin' Singles (Audio CD)

This CD contains nothing but unforgettable numbers from an era when Latin dance crazes were taking the country by storm, Cadillacs had fins and milk came in bottles. Men loved the new "Hi-Fi" records and record players; they entertained and romanced their women to many of these tunes. Indeed, there are quite a few recording artists on this album; and they all are featured at their very best. The quality of the sound is excellent and the artwork is particularly well done.

Della Reese kicks things off with an awesome rendition of "The Lady Is a Tramp." Della never sounded better; her sophisticated phrasing makes her performance quite memorable and she sings with so much energy it's positively electric! That music makes good use of the brass, too. "Not Me" has an awesome Latin sound for a good effect; and Stan Kenton & His Orchestra do an outstanding job playing "Tequila." "Tequila" is a timeless number that shines especially bright when Stan Kenton and his band play it; they never play a single wrong note and I love it. Peggy Lee performs a Latin flavored "Heart;" Peggy's voice is perfect for this song and the male backup singers harmonize to perfection--not that Peggy ever really needed backup; but they do sound pretty good anyway.

"One Mint Julep" has Sarah Vaughan singing so very well with Quincy Jones & His Orchestra; Sarah outdoes even herself on this wonderful number and those lyrics tell quite a story! "One Mint Julep" is easily a major highlight of this album. "Be Bop the Beguine" gets a fine treatment by Sammy Davis, Jr. and some mighty fine musicians; while Rosemary Clooney does her big hit "Come On-A My House." Just one listen will tell you why "Come On-A My House" was such a big hit in Rosemary's capable hands!

Henry Mancini's "Something for Cat" sounds just terrific; his musicians perform this to perfection--and beyond! Mancini has always been a favorite of mine. Mel Tormé does a fine job on "42nd Street;" and for a whopping, special number listen for Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong to do "A Fine Romance." "A Fine Romance" showcases the excellent chemistry between Ella and Louis; they literally made beautiful music together! "That Old Black Magic" was one of the best numbers that Louis Prima and Keely Smith ever recorded with Sam Butera & the Witnesses--this is great music.

"Ain't That a Kick in the Head" has Dean Martin singing wonderfully; his voice is like listening to silk. Dean was one of the best male vocalists we've seen or ever will see. Bobby Darin's "Guys and Dolls" is another major highlight of this CD; Bobby always did his songs up right! "Are You Havin' Any Fun" has Tony Bennett performing at his usual best with Count Basie & His Orchestra--and the CD ends very well with Eartha Kitt doing a fantastic job on "Mademoiselle Kitt."

Cocktail Mix, Vol. 3: Swingin' Singles is perfect retro music for partying or relaxing after a long, hard day at work with a glass of your favorite wine. It brings back great memories, too! These musical numbers are all classics and I think you'll be very pleased indeed if this type of music is exactly what you crave.