Customer Reviews

Encore Collection

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

 

 

As a diehard Kate Smith fan, I found this "Encore Collection" CD to be very uneven. Taken from her 1960's LP's with RCA Victor, Kate's voice and vocal style was definitely at odds with much of the popular repertoire of that era. Only her famous legendary songs like "When the Moon Comes Over the Mountain" and "God Bless America" save this CD from being a bad representation of Miss Smith's multiple vocal gifts, and these songs are better recorded by her on other labels. Her voice also shows the toll of time in that she virtually belts every contemporary song as if trying to hit a home run. While the Kate Smith sound is definitely there, she seems quite uncomfortable in a few songs, almost trying too hard to be "with it". By the time of these recordings her beloved longtime manager (who decided virtually everything for and about her) had died, and perhaps she was ill advised in her choice of repertoire. What is really annoying about this CD is the overly-obvious fake reverberation slathered on far too generously at times. There are far better compilations of Kate Smith, so I can't honestly recommend this CD. Many of these "Encores" are better left unsung.

I concur with one of the previous reviews in that this CD features some of Kate Smith's lesser-known songs. However, for me, it was still worth it. I'm of the sort that listens to songs over and over again and likes them more and more each time--the habit persisted with this CD. Though the melodies aren't as powerful and inspiring as Smith's "God Bless America," "Danny Boy," or "My Cup Runneth Over" (my favorites), they have clever and ringing lyrics. For example, I found "Imagination" to be particularly spot-on to some of my own experiences and feelings.

For one who is already familiar with and a fan of Kate Smith, this is a worthy purchase. As an introductory pastiche, however, for a gift or otherwise, this CD doesn't quite make the cut. I'd recommend as a supplement only.

Kate Smith has such a powerful voice, and she does these songs justice. If you're a fan of hers, you should have this CD.