Customer Reviews

The Greatest Hits, Vol. 1

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

 

 

A teasing little appetizer that is far from giving good music listeners enough of Eydie & Steve. Eydie's solos are more classic than Steve's top 10sh material. Still, both are great together & apart. Any cd with Eydie belting out If He Walked Into My Life & What Did I Have could only be great! The best duet, Sunrise Suunset, is another reason to buy this. I recommend buying so much more of S&E than this one cd has to offer. Still, it's a good beginning!

I have always enjoyed Steve and Eydie, but after some time had forgotten just how great they are. This compilation is a real joy. It provides most of their hits and some of their best work. Eydie's "Blame it on the Bossa Nova" is upbeat and was one of the reasons I bought this compilation. I love "Go Away Little Girl," Steve's biggest solo hit, and his rendition of "I Gotta Be Me." Although "Hallelujah" is not as good as the original Israeli version (by Milk and Honey with Gali Atari), it is still a lovely song. "Sunrise, Sunset," is a great duet. Overall, a great compilation -- a must for all Steve and Eydie fans!

I was at a dance when he caught my eye
Standin' all alone lookin' sad and shy
We began to dance, swaying' to and fro
And soon I knew I'd never let him go

Blame it on the bossa nova with its magic spell
Blame it on the bossa nova that he did so well
Oh, it all began with just one little dance
But then it ended up a big romance
Blame it on the bossa nova
The dance of love

(Now was it the moon?)
No, no, the bossa nova
(Or the stars above?)
No, no, the bossa nova
(Now was it the tune?)
Yeah, yeah, the bossa nova
(The dance of love)

Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme performed flawlessly both as soloists and as a duo; and this CD showcases some of their finest work. Their voices are in top form on this album. Steve and Eydie never sing a superfluous note and they harmonize perfectly. Wow!

The CD starts with Eydie Gorme singing "If He Walked Into My Life" from the musical Mame. Eydie belts this out without failing to express any of the subtler emotions this song generates. Steve Lawrence then continues with his classic "Go Away Little Girl." Steve sings passionately; and you can feel his heart break as he sings to tell the younger girl that they cannot share a love because she is just too young.

Eydie sings "What Did I Have That I Don't Have?" with passion and sensitivity; the lush musical arrangement complements Eydie's voice so well. Steve and Eydie perform together on "That's What Friends Are For" which boasts a beautiful arrangement, too.

Many people will instantly remember "Blame It On The Bossa Nova;" Eydie sings her ballad with both emotion and precision. The musical arrangement with a somewhat Latin beat enhances this song greatly. Steve also performs "I Gotta Be Me," another very famous song with a terrific melody. "Sunrise, Sunset," a passionate ballad, describes the amazement parents experience as they think back and realize that so much time has passed now that their children are full grown.

The CD closes with the very romantic "True Love" sung by Steve and Eydie together. This romantic song provides a strong conclusion to this album and leaves the listener wanting MORE!

The liner notes are sparse. The liner notes give the songs credits but no essay. There are no lyrics in the liner notes but do not worry; Steve and Eydie sing so clearly that you'll never be left guessing what they sang!

Steve and Eydie fans will be delighted with this CD; the album is worth every penny of the higher price for this CD. People who enjoy classic pop vocals will also love this album.

Terrific audio quality, mostly great songs.

However the primary reason I bought this CD was specifically to get Steve's "Go Away Little Girl", one of my all-time favorites, as well as Edyie's "Blame It On The Bossa Nova". Yes, Steve's biggest hit is certainly on this CD, and for all I know it might actually be the original studio recording... which I'm guessing they were ultimately dissatisfied with and decided to not use as the released 45RPM single.

In other words, it is definitely NOT the original 45RPM radio version!

In this rendition Steve sounds sedated on Zanax! All of the expected distinctive multi-track slightly-delayed "echoic" duet sound of Steve with himself is not there, there's no crescendo or syncopation late in the song, and it might actually be a slightly lower key than the radio version. Certainly sounds very down-tempo and different to my ears. Absolutely a different musical arrangement.

So if you want the TRUE ORIGINAL 45RPM radio edit version, buy Steve's "Definitive Collection" which has 31 of specifically his songs... all but two of which are unique and are NOT on this Steve/Eydie "Greatest Hits Volume 1". And the version of "Go Away Little Girl" on that album definitely IS the original radio release. So you'll get 29 other Steve songs, as well as the TRUE ORIGINAL 45RPM radio edit of "Go Away Little Girl".

I'm just saying...

This CD is absolutely fabulous. It does what any good compilation CD should. It leaves you shouting BRAVO! and wanting more. In my opinion, some of the best songs here, for each artist, are as follows:

If He Walked into My Life - Eydie Gorme, who some might say is the last of the 'Great Belters", has put her own personal stamp on this song which will last till the end of time. Eydie has made this song her own. In my opinion, the only other female singer who could have given this song equal, or more, intensity of feeling than Eydie has would have been Judy Garland.

What Did I Have That I Don't Have? - Another great one done to perfection by Eydie.

Tonight I'll Say a Prayer - is an absolute "tear-jerker", supreme, that will leave you broken-hearted and crying for a week! Lay in a big supply of tissues for this one, folks.

Portrait of My Love - is Steve Lawrence at his best here. In my opinion, one of the best male singing voices, ever!

Go Away Little Girl - Also excellent Steve here

More - A beautiful song beautifully done by Steve

I Gotta Be Me - Another great one by Steve

Of course, their duets are always a joy and a treat to hear. So, by all means folks, indulge yourselves and buy this CD. Like I said above, it will leave you wanting more...Enjoy!