Customer Reviews

DIANA SHORE, 36 All Time Greatest Hits

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

 

 

This is one of those compilations compiled by CSC/BMG and released through the auspices of timelessmusic.com with flawless AAD sound quality, especially when you consider many of these date back to the early 1940s.

Where it falters is in the complete lack of liner notes [there was no insert in the package I received] and the inclusion of far too many among the 36 tracks that were not among her "all-time greatest hits." These would be: Volume Two - tracks 2, 7, 8, 11; Volume Three - tracks 2, 6, 8, 9, and 12.

That's almost a third of the contents, although it makes up for that to some degree by including a few of Dinah's hits which, until this release, were not easy to find, and in that category I include the following: The Musicians [a 1951 # 24 collaboration with Betty Hutton, Tony Martin, and Phil Harris]; A Penny A Kiss - a # 8 duet in 1951 with Tony Martin; I'll Never Say "Never Again" Again [a 1957 # 24 Top 100 and her last charted single]; and Sweet Violets [a 1951 # 3].

The remainder are also very much among her greatest singles, including the # 1 I'll Walk Alone [1944], but there are many more such solid hits left out from among the 69 she registered on the charts from 1940 to 1957. Had the above-mentioned 11 tracks been left out in favour of the following, the rating would have increased to 4 stars in my opinion, even without liner notes:

(As Long As You're Not In Love With Anyone Else) Why Don't You Fall In Love With Me [# 3 1943]; Shoo Fly Pie And Apple Pan Dowdy [# 6 1946]; The Gypsy [# 1 1946] and its flipside Laughing On The Outside (Crying On The Inside) - # 3]; Doin' What Comes Natur'lly [# 3 1946]; (I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons [# 2 1947]; Anniversary Song [# 1 1947]; I Wish I Didn't Love You So [# 2 1947]; Buttons And Bows [# 1 1948]; Baby It's Cold Outside [# 3 in 149 duet with Buddy Clark]; Dear Hearts And Gentle People [# 2 1949];

To sum up, not a very well thought out process of selection for a compilation titled "36 All-Time Greatest Hits" and for the price being asked there has to be comprehensive liner notes and discography of the contents. This just has all the appearance of a rush job by someone.

If you don't mind a CD sounding like scratchy records, this is one for
your collection. The problem is most prevalent on the recordings from
the 40's. The recordings from the mid 50's are not as bad. Some good
vintage Dinah Shore here, but not much in the way of production value.
As reviewer above mentions...there are no liner notes or information
besides track list.