Mad About Music: Rarities & Gems

Deanna Durbin | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 9, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sepia Recordings
• ASIN: B001E1BOAO
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #18,390 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #46 in Music > Miscellaneous > Nostalgia
  • #90 in Music > World Music > North America > Canada

Track Listings

1. I Love to Whistle [From "Mad About Music"]

2. A Serenade to the Stars [From "Mad About Music"]

3. When I Sing [From "It Started with Eve"]

4. Carmena Waltz

5. The Old Refrain [From "The Amazing Mrs. Holiday"]

6. Begin the Beguine [From "Hers to Hold"]

7. Pale Hands I Loved (Kashmiri Song) [From "Hers to Hold"]

8. Say a Pray'r for the Boys Over There [From "Hers to Hold"]

9. In the Spirit of the Moment [From "His Butler's Sister"]

10. Russian Medley [From "His Butler's Sister"]

11. Nessun Dorma [From "His Butler's Sister"]

12. Always [From "Christmas Holiday"]

13. Gimme a Little Kiss, Will Ya, Huh? [From "Lady on a Train"]

14. Night and Day [From "Lady on a Train"]

15. Lover [From Because of Him]

16. Danny Boy [From Because of Him]

17. Sweet Molly Malone

18. Brahms' Lullaby [From "I'll Be Yours"]

19. Granada [From "I'll Be Yours"]

20. Sari Waltz (Love's Own Sweet Song) [From "I'll Be Yours"]

See all 23 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

This is the album all Deanna Durbin fans have been waiting for, featuring 23 tracks never before available on CD, remastered from original acetates recorded by the studio making Durbin films.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mad About Deanna, September 27, 2008

By 

Bruce K. Hanson "Bruce K. Hanson" (Petersburg, VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mad About Music: Rarities & Gems (Audio CD)

In 1971, after countless reissues of Deanna Durbin's commercial recordings, Decca Records released selections of her soundtrack recordings on one LP. The problem was that they were taken directly from the films themselves, complete with extraneuos noise and dialogue; and the tracks were mastered in the then popular "simulated stereo" which resulted in too much reverb. However, this new release from Sepia Records, "Mad About Music", finally approaches the soundtrack recordings of Deanna Durbin in a manner more deserving of the beautiful soprano motion picture star. The recordings themselves are from Hisato Masuyama's extensive collection of original Universal Studio lacquers and publicity release 78 rpm records, and folks, they sound magnificent. Yes, there are slight noises and cues by studio workers that give away their age and sources, but having a few of these original records myself, it's easy to hear how their new CEDAR 24 bit mastering has worked wonders with the material. Several of the songs on the CD that are also on the origial LP include "Lover", "Danny Boy", "The Old Refrain", "Russian Medley" and "Night And Day"; each sounding so much better than their earlier incarnations. Then there are the tracks, most never before available to the record buying public: "I Love To Whistle", "Say a Pray'r for the Boys Over There", "Gimme A Little Kiss, Will Ya Huh?" three selections from Durbin's film, "Something in the Wind", and "Always" from "Christmas Holiday", complete for the first time with the refrain. (When is Universal going to finally release this Gene Kelly/Deanna Durbin thriller on DVD?) There are twenty three generous tracks accompanied by a booklet that is lavishly stuffed with interesting liner notes and sixteen beautiful color and black and white photos of Durbin and her film posters. Hopefully, there are enough pre-recordings by Deanna Durbin to warrant another CD. (I wonder if the soundtrack to "Spring Will be a Little Late This Year" (also from "Christmas Holiday") exists.) Meanwhile, it's so nice to have a new collection of Deanna Durbin records.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mad About Deanna, September 10, 2008

By 

Alexis Anisimow (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mad About Music: Rarities & Gems (Audio CD)

It's wondeful to see that Deanna Durbin recordings are still in demand today so many decades after her retirement. This new CD collection is packed with many of her fan's most requested songs. Deanna's amazing voice gives goosebumps and brings tears to the eyes of the listener. The quality of the CD is great considering the age of the original recordings. Mad About Music is a must buy for all Deanna Durbin fans and will make an excellent gift for family and friends.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars delightful Deanna compilation, April 6, 2009

By 

Byron Kolln (the corner where Broadway meets Hollywood) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Mad About Music: Rarities & Gems (Audio CD)

There's very little I can add that hasn't already been covered in the previous reviews for this disc, so my review will be brief and to the point. Sepia's disc of rare studio lacquer recordings from some of Deanna Durbin's most beloved films is quite simply the best compilation of Durbin songs that has been assembled.

Utilising the Cedar 24-bit mastering technology, these recordings exude a warmth and timbre which brings up all the tiny details that have been missing from the crackly Public Domain recordings of the past. In particular I love the selections from LADY ON A TRAIN and SOMETHING IN THE WIND, two of my all-time favourite Durbin films.

Most of these alternate studio lacquer recordings and acetate discs were intended to be destroyed, so hearing them all here is a rare treat indeed. Deanna glows and the entire package will be a must-own for her growing legion of fans. Bravo! [SEPIA-1117]