Keely Smith - The Best of The Capitol Years [Import]

Keely Smith | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 21, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: EMI Europe Generic
• ASIN: B000026GON
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #199,065 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Sweet And Lovely

2. Cocktails For Two

3. The Song Is You

4. I'll Get By

5. Lullaby Of The Leaves

6. On The Sunny Side Of The Street

7. I Can't Get Started

8. I'll Never Smile Again

9. S'Posin'

10. East Of The Sun (And West Of The Moon)

11. All The Way

12. I Never Knew (I Could Love Anybody Like I'm Loving

13. I Wish You Love

14. You Go To My Head

15. When Your Lover Has Gone

16. Fools Rush In (Where Angels Fear To Tread)

17. Don't Take Your Love From Me

18. Imagination

19. Mr Wonderful

20. When Day Is Done

Editorial Reviews

1990 remastered collection gathering 20 tracks originally recorded in 1958 when Keely was teamed with two of Capitol's top arrangers, Nelson Riddle & Billy May. Capitol.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Keely KILLS Once Again!, November 7, 1999

By 

F. Barton "Forrest W. Barton" (Newport, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Capitol Years (Audio CD)

This CD consists of two Capitol albums, one with arrangements by Billy May, the other Nelson Riddle. You have NOT heard, "When Your Lover Has Gone" until you've heard Keely sing it with Riddle's arrangement! I have many of Keely's CDs, and this is the one I listen to the most. Her KILLER versions of ALL the songs, leaves you breathless. The incredible control and beauty of her voice is captured on this CD to perfection. Incidentally, she is still singing this well. Sam Butera and the Witnesses, and her are still knocking them dead. THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT!

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Keely Smith, The Capital Years, February 9, 2000

By 

Daniel E. Gooding (Lewisburg, WV USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Capitol Years (Audio CD)

I first heard Keelly Smith in 1995 when I borrowed a CD from the library which featured feamale vocalists from the forties and fifties. Keely was amazing. Other singers on the album were wonderful too and most were familiar to me but Keely stood out with her silky, enchanting voice and her perfect phrasing. I have since purchased several of her solo albums and a light-hearted one made with her then husband Louis Prima called Together. They are all nice but this CD is the best showcase of her exceptional talent. The arrangements are fabulous too--Billy May and Nelson Riddle, no less. In my view she should be much more famous than she is as she is one of the best female vocalists I have ever heard--right up there with Sarah Vaughn, Barbara Streisand and that sort of very select company.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars now THIS is wonderful words and music !!!, May 27, 2008

By 

Matthew G. Sherwin (last seen screaming at Amazon customer service) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Keely Smith - The Best of The Capitol Years (Audio CD)

Keely Smith - The Best of The Capitol Years is a strong single CD compilation that demonstrates so well the fine artistry of Keely Smith. Keely could take just about any song--or even the phone book--and make it sound like the most beautiful piece of music you ever heard. The sound quality is excellent and the artwork is very nicely done as well. The arrangements by Billy May and Nelson Riddle just couldn't be better, either!

The CD starts with Keely Smith singing "Sweet And Lovely" with panache, heart and soul. This is a wonderful opening track that draws you in and it easily makes you want more right from the start. "Sweet And Lovely" showcases Keely's vocal talents well and the musical arrangement that accompanies her is excellent. "Cocktails For Two" shines just as brightly; Keely Smith sings this with all her might and just one listen proves it. The strings are used to great advantage, too. Listen also for a lovely interpretation of the famous tune, "I'll Get By." "I'll Get By" is a classic love song that moves me whenever I hear it; and Keely's rendition is definitely one of the better ones I've heard.

"Lullaby Of The Leaves" features Keely front and center--and that's OK by me! There's also the marvelously upbeat "On The Sunny Side Of The Street." I first heard this tune when Louis Armstrong performed it; but even Louis would be proud of how well Keely sings this without a superfluous note! "On The Sunny Side Of The Street" is one of my very favorite songs of all the classic pop vocal tunes out there. "I'll Never Smile Again" is a very pretty tune that Keely sings beautifully; and "All The Way" gets the royal treatment from Keely Smith as she sings this romantically with lots of heart and soul.

"I Wish You Love" has a wonderful chorus to backup and bolster Keely's performance; this number is very sweet and it works well when Keely breaks into the main lyrics of the song. "I Wish You Love" is a fantastic number. "You Go To My Head" also impresses me and I think that you'll enjoy "You Go To My Head" very much.

"Fools Rush In (Where Angels Fear To Tread)" places Keely Smith squarely in the spotlight--right where she belongs! Keely delivers this ballad with all her heart; and there's another fine performance when Keely sings "Imagination." "Imagination" is a very fine tune that doesn't get enough recognition these days--and that's a shame. The CD ends nicely with Keely Smith performing "When Day Is Done." "When Day Is Done" has another very pretty arrangement and it makes a great ending for this album.

Keely Smith fans will want this for their collections; it truly is chock full of great ballads by Keely! This is also a fine CD for fans of classic pop vocals.