Customer Reviews

Deep Purple / Sing the Great Songs

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Brother and sister Nino Tempo and April Stevens were far more musically mature and talented than the average on-the-charts performers of 1963. They had some chart successes individually both before and after their stint with Atco Records in the early 60's. But, as a duo, with some quirky, catchy, sometimes borderline schmaltzy arrangements of old standards, they gained instant recognition with their chart-topping "Deep Purple". They enjoyed some further success with a few follow-up singles before disappearing from the charts. They re-emerged later in the 60's with some very strongly produced and written pop music which is the subject of another CD done by Varese Vintage.

This two-fer CD presents their two original Atco albums that happen to contain all their charted singles from that early period. While several of the tunes follow in the style of "Deep Purple", Nino and April's musical versatility has them handling other styles as well - country, r'n'b, Latin - even yodeling and other vocal effects. If you're a fan of their Atco work, this CD gives you a full dose of their output from that period.

Sound quality is good overall with all tracks presented in stereo. There is some notable noise on the "Whispering" cut that probably prompted Varese to opt for the mono version on its Nino and April Greatest Hits CD. The liner notes consist of reproductions of those from the original lp's. Overall, a respectable gathering of their early works from this talented yet underappreciated duo. More Nino and April can be found on Varese Vintage's "Greatest Hits" collection and their reissue of the superb White Whale album from the later 60's.

The brother and sister duo of Nino Tempo and April Stevens had a huge hit with Deep Purple, a song which first hit the charts in 1939. In that year, Larru Clinton's band (with Bea Wain as lead singer) spent several weeks at #1, but several other versions also charted high.

Nino and April's version of Deep Purple, updated for the sixties, is very different from Larry and Bea's version. I enjoy both versions, though on balance I prefer the original. The remainder of this twofer contains many other old songs also updated for the sixties, including Stardust (from 1930), Tea for two (from 1925) and Shine on Harvest moon (from 1909). Not all the songs are as famous as these, but together they provide a fascinating and entertaining slice of musical history,

As someone who was raised on sixties music, but who has more recently gained an appreciation of the Great American Songbook, I find this set particularly interesting. Some may think the different interpretations amount to sacrilege, but great songs can be done in a lot of different ways - and the number of new recordings of such songs still being made even now is proof of that.

Generally, this will appeal more to fans of early sixties pop that to lovers of the old standards, but if (like me) you enjoy both, this is essential.

You get 2 albums on 1 CD. The "Deep Purple" album and "Nino and April Sing The Great Songs". 12 songs each, 24 in all. All originally released on ATCO in 1963. This CD is way too 1960's for me, but I enjoyed listening to it since it was released on the year of my birth. The "Deep Purple" song is not what I was use to. Being a child and teenager of the 1970's, I'm used to the brother/sister duo Donny & Marie Osmond singing "Deep Purple", but the brother/sister duo Nino Tempo & April Stevens is fine with me. I first saw Nino Tempo and April Stevens on an old music clip on American Movie Classics cable network. They were singing the song I do not know the title of, but it had "mashed potatoes" in it and it was funny when Nino would do that infamous OOH!. On the "Deep Purple" album, I found "Baby Weemis" to be strange. Although, the girls might find it cute. "Paradise" was dull. "True Love" is nice. "Sweet and Lovely" is a catchy tune. "(We'll Always Be) Together" is another catchy tune. You might catch yourself singing it too. On the "Sing The Great Songs" album: "Tea For Two" is done faster but is good. "I'm Confessin' That I Love You" is nice. "Honeysuckle Rose" is one of my favorite songs. Nino and April have a style all their own. "All The Things You Are" is probably the nicest tune on this album. "I Surrender Dear" is sung very tenderly. The CD I received has a typo on the back cover. The listing for "Tea For Two" and "I'm Confessin' That I Love You" are both labled #13, instead of 13, 14. And the security sticker on the top side of the CD has Nino's name as "Nina". That's an error. This CD is a collector's for sure.

APRIL STEVENS AND NINO TEMPO ARE A GREAT PART OF 60'S MUSIC. THIS WAS THE ERA OF "THE TWIST' AND THEY WERE STEADILY COMING OUT WITH TUNES THAT OUR PARENTS DANCED TO, ONLY IN UPDATED DANCEABLE TWIST STYLE. WE LOVED WHAT WAS HAPPENING, ESPECIALLY WHEN OUR PARENTS WOULD SAY "OH, I REMEMBER THAT SONG..TURN IT UP!" MY FAVORITE WAS "SWEET AND LOVELY", WHICH WAS A HUGE CALIFORNIA HIT. BOB EUBANKS USED TO HOST A DANCE SHOW THAT AIRED FROM A POPULAR CA. AMUSEMENT PARK (SIMPLY KNOWN AS P.O.P. FOR PACIFIC OCEAN PARK)AND HE USED TO FEATURE THEM ON HIS SHOW, ALONG WITH CAROL CONNORS AND THE TEDDY BEARS, MIKE CLIFFORD (CLOSE TO CATHY), THE PARIS SISTERS ETC. BUY IT!!IT'S A GREAT C.D. I RECOMMEND IT. YOU'LL WANT TO TWIST AGAIN!!

I suspect the Nino Tempo & April Stevens enthusiasts are small in number, and probably all over the age of 55, but if you liked their music, you'll like this CD. They had a unique sound and only did songs that were old even then (1960's). Deep Purple, Whispering, Sweet and Lovely, etc., were hits in the 30's to early 50's. My only complaint is that the sound fidelity is not that great. This is not uncommon on oldies songs, but I'm guessing they could have been re-mixed better. Surprise treats are a couple songs that weren't top 40 hits of theirs: their version of Tommy Dorsey's "Who" and their version of "Honeysuckle Rose."

Both Nino Tempo and April Stevens possess incredible talent; and when they teamed up to sing some really great songs here on this two-fer CD they certainly didn't disappoint! They sang with a fine sense of timing, excellent diction and a wonderful ability to interpret standards to put their own stamp onto them and make them their own seemingly effortlessly. The CD has all of the tracks from two of their record albums entitled "Deep Purple" and "Nino and April Sing the Great Songs." The sound quality is excellent and the liner notes by Bob Altshuler are informative.

We first get the tracks from the album "Deep Purple;" and the title cut starts the CD off with a fine interpretation of this classic ballad. They harmonize to perfection and the musical arrangement complements their singing to perfection--and beyond! "Paradise" has a distinctly sixties flavor to it that I always love to hear; and although "Baby Weemus" is something of a silly novelty song, it still holds its own. "True Love" has quite an upbeat tempo and it shines bright in their capable hands! I really like "It's Pretty Funny" with that early sixties rock/pop style; "Tears of Sorrow" that has them squarely front and center; "Sweet and Lovely," another good tune that showcases their talent; and "One Dozen Roses" rocks with them never letting go of a single superfluous note! I love it. "(We'll Always Be) Together" makes good use of the percussion as they sing this flawlessly; and their version of "Indian Love Call" shows a great deal of creativity as does "Shine On Harvest Moon." "I've Been Carrying a Torch for You So Long That I Burned a Great Big Hole in My Heart" is another solid number, too.

Then come the tracks from "Nino and April Sing the Great Songs." "Tea for Two" has them playing with the tempo and keys to make this their own; and it works wonders for this evergreen song. "I'm Confessin' That I Love You" sounds just terrific when April and Nino sing it; I really enjoy April's spoken lyrics. "Honeysuckle Rose" and "Stardust" yet again display their creativity; Nino and April perform this ballad in their own style and these are two of the better tracks on the CD. "All the Things You Are" just plain sounds good--this music is all THAT great!

"St. Louis Blues" gets the royal treatment from April and Nino; and listen for them to do a great job on "Whispering" which was popular in the early twenties. "Begin the Beguine" sounds fresh and new when they perform it; I like that I can enjoy the lyrics to this melody that is often performed as an instrumental number. There's a treat in "My Blue Heaven;" and "Who" sparkles as they sing this in their own style with a strong sixties feel. "I Surrender Dear" is excellent, too. The CD ends strong with April Stevens and Nino Tempo performing "I Can't Give You Anything But Love." They do this all so well that it always leaves me wanting more!

Fans of this sublime brother/sister act will certainly want to get this for their collections; it even makes a good starter CD for any newcomer just discovering their artistry. We are all better off for Nino and April having shared their talent with us--thank you, Nino and April!

In 1963 I haad just turned 12 years old. My sister listened to all her Rock & Roll and the previous Christmas I had asked for a transistor radio. I honestly can't say I was a fan of Nino Tempo & April Stevens back then.
A few nights ago, while listening to Solid Gold oldies on Music Choice, they played "Deep Purple". I can not tell you the last time I had heard that song ... NO IDEA! But it instantly brought back memories and believe it or not, I remember most of the words and sang along.
I'm always updating my own personal list of my favorite Top 10 Hits and while it's an ever lasting project, Nino Tempo & April Stevens' "Deep Purple" is now a part of the list.

Then I find out "Whispering" is also on this CD? OH MY!!!!

Thank You!

Nino Tempo has such a unique sound when it comes to arranging and producing his music, his name needs to among the other innovative music producers in music history. This disc has a collection of songs a century old, and he and his sister April give the tunes a whole new fresh sound. Deep Purple was the biggest hit from these two albums, but there are many more that are just as good! The "All Strung Out" CD has a whole different sound of it's own. Nino played a lot for Phil Spector's records, and you might think this other cd sounds a bit like Spector, but not really. Nino put rhythmic grooves to the songs whereas Phil always just kept it pretty straight. You'll dig Nino and April's sounds!!

Great price, good fidelity, slightly uneven recording volume, good shipping service. Satisfied.

Tom Easley

I was very pleased with my purchase. It arrived in excellent condition (NEw). I'm almost 65 years old and when I hear Nino Tempo & April Stevens sing Deep Purple, it takes me back almost 50 years to the late 50's. My husband and I dance to this CD every sunday morning. Thanks