Customer Reviews

Gold

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This two-disc anthology gathers virtually every hit Connie Francis recorded for MGM during her heyday from the late-fifties through the mid-sixties. From 1958 through 1969, Francis charted more than fifty singles, including thirty-five in the Top 40, three No. 1's, and eight million-sellers, making her one of the most successful artists in pop music history. [Among female singers, only Aretha Franklin and Madonna have had more hits.]

This collection begins with her breakthrough 1958 hit "Who's Sorry Now" (her first nine singles dating back to 1955 failed to chart) and takes the listener through to her final chart single, "The Wedding Cake," which peaked at No. 91 in 1969.

This first forty songs understandably focus on her hit years (1958-1964), and represent every one of her Top 40 songs (with the lone exception of the 1961 single "No One," which peaked at No. 34). Francis would record contemporary songs like "Stupid Cupid" and "Where the Boys Are" (both written by Neil Sedaka and Howard Greenfield), and also record old standards like the million-sellers "Where the Boys Are" and "Together" (previously big hits from 1923 and 1928 respectively). The final ten tracks from 1965 through 1969 do not so much represent a decline in the quality of her material, but rather the impact the British Invasion had on the American music scene.

If you're looking for a solid collection of hits from the reigning queen of pop music in the pre-Beatles era, this is it. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

This double CD is a good overall sampling of Connie's huge output for MGM Records. All of the hits (with the exception of the Australian/UK hit "Robot Man") are included. Sound quality is very good...although a few songs sound a little "thinner" than they should ("Everybody's Somebody's Fool" suffers from too little bottom end).

Not as exhaustive as the complete singles set released several years back...but still highly recommended.

Sure SOUVENIRS is the ultimate singles collection. And I did not appreciate Universal using this as a vehicle for a tribute to Connie's 50th year as a recording artist. Japan did 5 wonderful tributes, but then a musical prophet is never appreciated in their home land. This is a very successful recording and gives you all the hits but the last 10 songs on disc two give you the real Connie Francis. All the power and glory of her musical instrument is there particularly on songs like "Born Free" and "Zingara". That's worth the price alone. This is in print, "Souvenirs" is not and hard to find and expensive. So folks, you will have to settle for this. My only other gripe is that several songs of this newly remastered collection are in mono and readily available in stereo on other collections. Universal could have taken a little more time and care considering the occasion. It's nicely priced, so go for it. I'd rather see 10 Connie Francis recycled hits packages in print and as successful as this one--than see nothing at all.

CD1:
01. Who's Sorry Now [0:02:17.62]
02. I'm Sorry I Made You Cry [0:02:28.63]
03. Stupid Cupid [0:02:14.74]
04. Fallin' [0:02:14.58]
05. My Happiness [0:02:29.43]
06. If I Didn't Care [0:02:39.45]
07. Lipstick on Your Collar [0:02:20.05]
08. Frankie [0:02:32.32]
09. You're Gonna Miss Me [0:02:45.50]
10. Among My Souvenirs [0:02:32.38]
11. God Bless America [0:02:45.32]
12. Mama [0:03:57.10]
13. Teddy [0:02:46.00]
14. Everybody's Somebody's Fool [0:02:39.13]
15. Jealous of You (Tango Della Gelosia) [0:02:24.37]
16. My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own [0:02:33.38]
17. Malaguena [0:03:05.40]
18. Many Tears Ago [0:01:55.52]
19. Where the Boys Are [0:02:38.63]
20. Breakin' In a Brand New Broken Heart [0:02:39.57]
21. Together [0:02:55.60]
22. He's My Dreamboat [0:02:43.28]
23. Hollywood [0:02:16.30]
24. When the Boy in Your Arms (Is the Boy in Your Heart) [0:02:45.20]
25. Baby's First Christmas [0:02:27.25]

CD2
01. Don't Break The Heart That Loves You [0:03:04.05]
02. Second Hand Love [0:02:52.25]
03. Vacation [0:02:23.47]
04. I Was Such A Fool (To Fall In Love With You) [0:02:46.23]
05. I'm Gonna Be Warm This Winter [0:02:25.65]
06. Al Di La [0:03:18.62]
07. Follow The Boys [0:02:40.30]
08. If My Pillow Could Talk [0:02:08.15]
09. Drownin' My Sorrows [0:02:05.53]
10. Your Other Love [0:02:10.50]
11. In The Summer Of His Years [0:02:33.55]
12. Blue Winter [0:02:26.19]
13. Be Anything (But Be Mine) [0:02:10.37]
14. Looking For Love [0:02:20.70]
15. Don't Ever Leave Me [0:02:46.60]
16. Whose Heart Are You Breaking Tonight? [0:02:24.63]
17. For Mama: La Mamma [0:03:27.22]
18. Forget Domani [0:02:42.08]
19. Jealous Heart [0:02:35.62]
20. When The Boys Meet The Girls [0:02:07.63]
21. Spanish Nights And You [0:02:24.72]
22. Time Alone Will Tell: Non Pensare A Me [0:02:46.18]
23. Born Free [0:03:04.37]
24. The Wedding Cake [0:02:36.13]
25. Zingara: Gypsy [0:03:02.15]

This two CD set entitled Gold by Connie Francis really does a fine job of giving us a grand assortment of Connie's finest hits and ballads. The quality of the sound is very good and the artwork is typical for the "Gold" CD series.

The first CD starts off with her awesome hit entitled "Who's Sorry Now." Connie's voice is as clear as a bell and she sings this sweetly. This ballad, which is essentially about a woman getting even with a man who jilted her, shines like pure gold when Connie sings this beyond perfection! The backup vocalists do a great job, too. "Stupid Cupid" has a bouncier arrangement as Connie sings so well of a young woman's love for her man; and the hand clapping on this number is a type of percussion that works wonders for "Stupid Cupid." There's also "Lipstick On Your Collar;" this early rock and roll song gets a fine treatment from Connie who sings this without a superfluous note! The drums and guitars work well for "Lipstick On Your Collar" and Connie never misses a beat!

"Among My Souvenirs" sounds so sweet and pleasant when Connie sings it--even if she's singing about a love that went awry. "Mama" features Connie singing passionately of her mother and their unconditional love for one another; and listen also for Connie on "Where The Boys Are." "Where The Boys Are" features a wonderful arrangement that lets Connie show off her fine vocal talents; I believe this ballad comes from the movie of the same name.

"Vacation" is still a perfect tune for the end of school; I always like "Vacation" and Connie's voice is just perfect for this rockin' number! "Follow The Boys" has a mellow arrangement as Connie delivers this ballad with panache; the guitar and the strings enhance the natural beauty of this ballad. "Your Other Love" has the effect of making it sound as if there were two Connies singing this ballad; this effect impresses me greatly.

In addition, another highlight of this album would have to be "Whose Heart Are You Breaking Tonight?" Connie sings a ballad about a young woman who laments the loss of the young man she truly thought would be her one true love. "Whose Heart Are You Breaking Tonight" has a beautiful feel to it that makes it a favorite of mine. "Forget Domani" puts Connie's vocals front and center and she sings this ballad very well. The strings and more make "Forget Domani" a very charming number.

"Born Free" also really shines when Connie does her cover of this very famous song; and the backup singers harmonize so well as Connie belts this out like the pro she remains! "Born Free" is another favorite of mine on this two CD set.

Overall, Connie Francis fans will enjoy this wonderful two CD set. The tracks are all here in pristine condition--the sound is THAT good. I also recommend this two CD set for people who enjoy the oldies and classic pop vocals.

The definitive collection of Connie Francis's hit singles on the MGM label was CONNIE FRANCIS SOUVENIRS, which I, Bill Levenson and Connie's assistant Pat Niglio produced in 1996. After that release hit the market, I expressed my desire for a series of reissues of Connie's best-selling albums as well as compilations that focused on her jazz and country recordings. Niglio was interested in an Italian collection (which was later released to great acclaim), and I recall that Levenson spoke of compiling some of Connie's vast German catalogue for stateside release. What the hell happened? Why are we now seeing a budget knockoff of SOUVENIRS? Connie's fans are not looking for another singles collection. We are not looking for the umpteenth reissue of her first Italian album. Yet, that's what we get over and over. Enough already! Universal Music has a wealth of excellent Connie Francis material in its vaults that it fails to exploit, including unreleased sides (like an entirely different version of the AWARD-WINNING MOTION PICTURE HITS album than was originally issued here). She deserves better, much better, in honor of her 50th anniversary as a recording artist.

October marks Connie's 50th year as a recording artist and this is what they put out? Another hodge podge of hits that can be found on SO many compilations that have come out of the US. Universal should look to Japan or South Africa--now they have put out tributes befitting the biggest selling female singer of all time. This is a sad (but probably sells) and not very well made 50th Anniversary release. They used mono tracks when stereo were available. Connie Francis is an American, yet overseas she appears to be more respected. Pitiful. Shame on us!

I've been a Connie Francis fan since I was a teenager (a very long time ago) and think that she is a wonderful singer. This collection of songs proves that she is. She does a great job on each and every song. However, there's just too much included in this album. So many of the songs sound alike that their inclusion seems a bit redundant.

All her megahits are there - 'Where the Boys Are', 'My Destiny', 'Vacation', 'Who's Sorry Now?', 'Stupid Cupid', and a favorite of mine, 'For Mama: La Mamma'. The album contains 44 more lesser known although very well performed songs.

As mentioned in other reviews, special attention was given to the sound quality which is very good and most of the photos included are very good as well.

There is so much to say about this fantastic CD, but I'll just mention one song that I love in particular. "Zingara" was her last single released on MGM, and it didn't do all that well in the charts. But it is truly stunning--her vocal performance is on par with anything she's ever recorded. It's strong, extremely passionate and utterly gorgeous. Every time it ends I want to go back and listen to it again. Do yourself a favor and check out this great song on this great compilation.

To affirm Connie Francis was the best foreign female artist singing Italian melodies is now a commonplace. Any hard listener of unforgettable melodies of that beloved nation may verify it.

Her beauty, alluring charisma and engaging sympathy became her a supreme legend at the moment to appear in any international stage.

This album is by itself the best testimonial evidence, and so far as the memory serves, one shudders to enjoy her unlimited expressiveness, accurate phrasing and winged musicality.

At the moment to select among the most representative elite of great female voices of the Pop song of the last century, she should be part of any list, no matter how exigent can be.