Customer Reviews

Glitter & Gold: Words & Music By Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil

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This is a great retrospective CD on the music of Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil. The engineering is excellent. The tracks are so handsomely remastered that the music sounds vibrant and bursts out of the speakers. Del Shannon's version of "Kicks" rocks, not dissimilar from the hit version by Paul Revere & the Raiders. Gene Pitney's aching vocals on "I'm Gonna Be Strong" are so dramatic along with the operatic arrangement, "When you say it's the end, I'll just hand you a line; I'll smile & say, 'Don't you worry, I'm fine.' And you'll never know, darling after you've kissed me goodbye, how I'll break down & cry." Arthur Alexander's "Where Have You Been" bounced onto my radar screen as a result of this great collection with its 60s soulful feel. Paul Revere & the Raiders' "Hungry" pulses like a rock march with Mark Lindsey's great vocals melting over the words, "I can almost taste it, baby." The Tokens' "It's A Happening World" has that sunny optimism that unfortunately seems dated in our current era but sounds lovely here. Bill Medley's vocals are emotionally laden on the excellent "Brown Eyed Woman," "All of the years, all the hate & the fears have twisted your heart; Now you turn away, you won't trust what I say & it's tearing me apart." The title track was an album track off the first Turtles LP. The Vogues were one of my favorite bands & "Magic Town" details a blue collar struggle to have a dream in a difficult world. The Righteous Brothers' recording of "See That Girl" has those trademark dramatic vocals and a beautiful melody, "It just tears the heart out of me when I see that girl." This is a stellar collection in the excellent Ace Records songwriter series. Wow! Enjoy!

This is a great collection. Anyone who is a fan of oldies should check it out. Worth it for Brown Eyed Woman alone.

Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil wrote some of the worst songs of the 60's, and everything since has sounded not as good. Inane lyrics, non memorable tunes, and ridiculous productions make this disc one to skip.