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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Johnny Mercer was one of the founders of Capitol Records, so it's fitting that this entry in the label's Collectors Series is such a well-compiled and -designed package. Comprised of 20 key sides made between 1942 and 1949, it captures the Savannah-born singer/songwriter's lazy, bluesy delivery on both his own tunes ("Blues in the Night," "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive," "One for My Baby") and others' (Frank Loesser's "Baby It's Cold Outside," which Mercer and Margaret Whiting made into a No. 1 hit). Mercer was a major figure in American popular music; this CD makes clear that he was also a highly entertaining performer. --Rickey Wright
Product Description
This son of the South was one of our great songwriters and a fine singer too. He was also a founder of Capitol Records, and here are 20 classics he recorded for the label in the '40s with help from the likes of Jo Stafford, Margaret Whiting, Nat King Cole and the Pied Pipers. Enjoy Strip Polka;Positive Candy; On The Atchison, Topeka And The Santa Fe; My Sugar Is So Refined; One For My Baby (And One More For the Road) and more!
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
50 of 50 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Audio CD
Amazing that a lyrics fanatic like me, who grew up on Hammerstein, Hart, Harburg, Harnick, Gershwin, et al., only discovered Johnny Mercer in 1999. But thanks to this CD, I am making up for lost time. Johnny Mercer was not only a brilliant lyricist, he was an outstanding vocalist and a charming performer. This CD showcases all three aspects of his glorious contribution to American music.
Every song on this disc is a gem, but if I had to pick my absolute favorites, they'd be: "G. I. Jive," "On the Atcheson, Topeka and the Santa Fe," "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive," "Baby, It's Cold Outside" and "Surprise Party."
Treat yourself to this superb CD!
29 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I was born in 1975... a full 35 years after most of these songs were recorded ... and I will admit... I am completely surpised. I am surprised at how much I enjoy this entire CD! It really is amazing... I find myself singing along with songs like "G.I Jive" and "Strip Polka" and I NEVER sing along to music. Everything has such catchy tunes, with crazy little quirks, and such genuine good-natured humor. Really, I find myself laughing everytime I hear put this cd in.
Why this Johnny Mercer CD? Honestly this is the only one that I own, so I don't know if this is any better than the others. However, I do know that has turned into the CD that I listen to on my way home from work (It is especially awesome when I am havign a bad day... "Zippy Do Dah" alway brings a smile to my face!)
My recommedation - even if you don't think that you will like it (I only bought to see if we should use it for dinner music at my wedding!) try it. You may be as amazed as I was.
Why this Johnny Mercer CD? Honestly this is the only one that I own, so I don't know if this is any better than the others. However, I do know that has turned into the CD that I listen to on my way home from work (It is especially awesome when I am havign a bad day... "Zippy Do Dah" alway brings a smile to my face!)
My recommedation - even if you don't think that you will like it (I only bought to see if we should use it for dinner music at my wedding!) try it. You may be as amazed as I was.
28 of 28 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Songwriter Johnny Mercer had considerable success in Hollywood before co-founding Capitol Records in 1942. The maverick Los Angeles-based label had some of the hugest hits of the wartime era, starting with Ella Mae Morse's "Cow Cow Boogie," and continuing on through a slew of other great artists. Mercer himself recorded prolifically, and though his own versions of his songs tended to sell less spectacularly than versions cut by various popular bandleaders, he did alright as a singer, too. Mercer's bluesy, hepcat vocal style is a little hokey, but fun nonetheless, and no expense was spared on the punchy big band arrangements. This disc is packed with great Mercer originals, such as "G.I. Jive," with its goofy Slim Gaillard-style scatting, "Ac-Cent-Chu-Ate The Positive," "Glow Worm" and "The Atchison, Topeka And The Santa Fe." Mercer also did fine versions of songs by other standards writers, such as "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah," and Frank Loesser's "Baby It's Cold Outside." Backing him up throughout are Jo Stafford and the Pied Pipers, top talent of the time. The Capitol studios had a great, readily identifiable production style -- clean, punchy, solid arrangements, pointing to a new "vocal" style that would redefine pop music in the wake of the big band era. And there was Johnny Mercer, right at the heart of it all. This is a great collection, well worth checking out.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Nice addition
I have many of Johnny's songs on disc, but having clean, hi-fi versions on CD nicely rounds out the collection.
Published 1 month ago by KenHardie
5.0 out of 5 stars
Memory lane
Great songs by Johnny Mercer. I love singing them to my grandchildren. Thanks for a blast from the past! I highly recommend it for all grandparents, Ha!
Published 4 months ago by Ainokea
5.0 out of 5 stars
His vocabulary is superb.
Imagination and creativity were truly marvelous. I have it in my car and never tire of the same disc. Easy listening!
Published 4 months ago by Senecasweets
5.0 out of 5 stars
Memories
This brought back a lot of memories and I enjoyed the album very much. It is nice to hear songs that a person can understand
Published 4 months ago by William Ashpole
5.0 out of 5 stars
Where is the box set?
What a talent. That's an understatement. These are all gems (although woefully inadequate).
However, it should be an introduction to Mercer only. Read more
However, it should be an introduction to Mercer only. Read more
Published 17 months ago by R. COOK
3.0 out of 5 stars
Just OK
This record is fine if you are a really big Jonny Mercer fan. I was looking for more of his truly great songs, such as those used in the movie "Midnight in the Garden of Good and... Read more
Published on March 23, 2011 by WENDELL C GATES II
5.0 out of 5 stars
SIMPLY SHINES AND SHIMMERS!!
Funny, after reading the thoughtful warning "surface noise from original discs is audible at times", printed clearly on the back cover, I was surprised at the absolute shimmering... Read more
Published on September 5, 2009 by Joseph W. Szilagy
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mercer at his best!
Johnny Mercer was a great part of the Swing Era, this CD adds to any 40's collection.
Published on July 12, 2008 by Jennie M.
5.0 out of 5 stars
His Contributions To Music Go Way Beyond His Own Hits
Here's a guy whose own considerable contributions as a recording artist [just over 29 hit singles from 1942 to 1952] are far exceeded by his other accomplishments. Read more
Published on August 14, 2007 by AvidOldiesCollector
5.0 out of 5 stars
TOO MARVELOUS FOR WORDS
Johnny Mercer's words and music provided the soundtrack to our lives, especially during the 1940s when the songs on this disc were recorded. Read more
Published on June 17, 2007 by Matthew G. Sherwin
Listmania!
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