Customer Reviews

The Frankie Laine Collection: The Mercury Years

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Despite the fact that this disc bills itself as The Frankie Laine Collection: The Best of The Mercury Years" it is hard to reconcile the fact that 7 of Frankie Laine's charted hits with Mercury records were not included in this 1991 collection. That's a doggone shame but there is still no denying that there are still a good number of terrific tunes from the 40's and early 50's in this collection.

Frankie Laine came out of nowhere in 1947 with his debut recording "That's My Desire". Most music buffs would agree that this is the definitive recording of that tune and Laine took it all the way to #4 on the Billboard pop chart and literally put Mercury records on the map. Sales of that recording were greatly enhanced by black record buyers who mistakenly thought that Laine was a black artist. Laine would continue to hit the charts on a regular basis during his tenure at Mercury. Among the familiar hits you might remember were 1949's "That Lucky Old Sun" and "Mule Train" and his big one from 1950 "The Cry Of The Wild Goose". All three of these tunes made it all the way to the top of the charts and are included on this disc. Other notable tunes on "The Frankie Laine Collection" are "Shine", "Nevertheless (I'm In Love With You)" and the Fats Waller penned "Black and Blue". Laine departed Mercury in the spring of 1951 and went on to have several more successful years at Columbia. It is worth noting that the folks at Mercury did a pretty decent job with the liner notes for this collection but it remains a darn shame that a more complete anthology of Frankie Laine's long and distinguished career is not yet available. It is an oversight that begs to be addressed by one of the reissue labels.

Frankie Laine passed away at the ripe old age of 93 on February 6, 2007. He was still performing "live" shows as recently as 2001 or 2002 and came out of retirement to perform on T.J. Lubinsky's PBS special "Moments To Remember" in 2005. He even had his own website. Remarkable! More than two years after his death no comprehensive Frankie Laine anthology has been issued. That's too bad! In the meantime, The Frankie Laine Collection: The Mercury Years" remains the best available option. Recommended!

This is definitely for the Frankie Laine fans who enjoyed his smooth voice prior to the novelty music of Mitch Miller's Columbia label. His "That's My Desire" and "Music Maestro Please" are a testament to this man's smooth style

This is classic early Laine (Lovecchio). I had the opportunity to interview him on my "talk show" in about 1974 and asked him if Mercury ever planned to do this. It sure was a long time coming! If #2 is ever done it should include "Black Lace," Ah! But It Happens," and "Be Bop Spoken Here."

Outside of an expensive multi-disc box set it seems there are no Frankie Laine CDs on the market today which give us all of his hit singles covering his years at Mercury [22 hits from 1947 - 1951] and Columbia [40 hits from 1951 - 1963]. In 1996 Taragon did put out one entitled The Very Best Of Frankie Laine (ABC Years) covering all 8 he had with label from 1967 to 1969, but it seems to be out of circulation.

This one, for example, is a 22-selection CD entitled "The Mercury Years" which then goes on to omit eight of the hit singles he had for that label! Now, I realize that it doesn't say "his best" or "greatest hits" but come on folks - it was the hit singles that made him a star there in the first place, especially in that pre-LP era.

In place of any seven of tracks 2, 4, 5, 7, 10, 12, 14, 15 and 22 - none of which were hits for Frankie - could they have not inserted the following: Monday Again (# 23 in 1948); Ah But It Happens [# 21 in 1948], You're All I Want For Christmas [# 11 in 1948 and # 29 in 1949], Now That I Need You [# 20 in 1949], Stars And Stripes Forever [# 20 in 1950], Dream A Little Dream Of Me [# 18 in 1950 and the flip of Music, Maestro, Please], If I Were A Bell [# 30 in 1950], and Metro Polka [# 19 in 1951].

With the exception of the Christmas tune, which can be found on Crooners Christmas from North Star [available here], all the others are on the Spectrum CD "Early Classics" - also available through Amazon. Also, his duets, expecially the 6 he had with Jo Stafford in 1961/61, are on The Bear Family CD "Duets."

With just a little more research effort and imagination this could have been a 5-star collection. Instead, it's just one more in a long list of his compilations that either offer us weak re-makes of his hits, or come up short in delivering the goods.

Frankie Laine is in the Top 5 when it comes to naming the singers regarded as the most difficult to collect by those of us seeking original hit singles from his time. What is the problem?

The great Frankie Laine lived a long and fruitful life (1913-2007). He recorded for over fifty years and these recordings from his early carreer, embody various aspects of his greatness; from the jazz roots through the "Old Western" sound. Many of his collaborations with his good friends Carl Fischer and Mitch Miller are featured here.

Mr. Laine sings with a full, rich voice and he puts his whole force of emotion into each song. Incidently, he was also a kind and generous man. I would often order his hard-to-find CDs through his private office. He would generously take the time to autograph everything I had purchased.

It's too bad we lived on opposite coasts. I would have loved to have met him.

All I have to say is this: "What could possibly be wrong with anything done by Frankie Laine? Very pleased with this purchase. A bargain.

Anyone who knows Frankie Laine only from his later top of the pops hits will surely be amazed at the beauty of this baritone voice. My big regret is that as yet I have been unable to obtain more recordings from this period.

The smooth buttery ballad style,raising the volume of the voice then down to a tender fade out,blues shouting at times,
humming at times,Extending ("All of me") his verbal note partially through the ensemble section,and alway's
buoyant. It is clear why he was labeled;"MR RHYTHM". In the 40's our album cover of 78's was a sepia picture
of Mr Laine. Maybe to fool the Harlem CHART'S. "BLACK AND BLUE"/"SHINE" could give a false impression to get on that chart. I know that "THAT'S MY DESIRE" was listed.

My father knew every Italian-American singers name or stage names there was. Frankie's music was added to the other ones in our collection;Cornell,Como,Lanza,La Rosa,Monte etc.

I was 6 years old at the time. My favorites were:"BLACK AND BLUE" (drummer Al Singer's vibe solo is a CLASSIC.) "SUNNYSIDE OF THE STREET" (Babe Russin's big tenor solo here.) and "ALL OF ME".
"BY THE RIVER ST. MARIE","WHEN YOUR SMILING", "EXACTLY LIKE YOU", "WRAP YOUR TROUBLES AND DREAM'S",
"SOMEDAY,SWEETHEART","BLUE GOING GRAY OVER YOU",missing in this cd. Look's like I'll have to search for my scratchy 78 records of the songs on one of my tape reel's. We're waiting for Part two!!!!

Kenton member;Vito Musso solo's on "SHINE". A couple of track's you'll hear some rehearsal talk.
'MUSIC,MAESTRO,PLEASE";you'll hear the nite club crowd+the Maitre 'D greeting Mr Laine.

Carl Fischer/Laine wrote the classic standard; "WE'LL BE TOGETHER AGAIN". Laine wrote a wonderful lost love song;"IT ONLY HAPPEN'S ONCE". ( he got Nat Cole to record it.) There are a few other ones he had written with
the help of his other musical friend's.

I never get tired of playing this cd. a little Info booklet is included in this package. 63 MINUTES OF PERFECTION HERE!!!!