Martha Raye Swings [Import]

Martha Raye | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 19, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Sepia Recordings
• ASIN: B000N6UCQ8
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #258,035 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Born in Montana in 1916, Martha Raye was the daughter of a vaudeville couple and joined her parents' act as soon as she learned to walk. She made her Broadway debut in the 1934 musical revue Calling All Stars. While appearing as a singer-comedienne at the Trocadero in Hollywood, Paramount quickly signed her to a contract and she literally exploded on the screen in her feature debut, Rhythm on the Range with Bing Crosby, easily stealing the picture with what would become her trademark song - (If You Can't Sing It) You'll Have to Swing It - better remembered today as "Mr. Paganini".

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Martha Raye sold songs without even trying-she was THAT good !!!, May 6, 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: Martha Raye Swings (Audio CD)

Martha Raye Swings is a very good CD of Martha's earlier hits many of which have never before been out on CD. The sound quality is really rather good considering the age of these recordings; and the artwork is very nicely done. This is a great CD for Martha Raye fans!

"My Little Cousin" starts the CD off with Martha Raye giving her all to this tune; and the big band/swing style arrangement makes this a very good tune to kick off the CD! "Three Little Sisters" is another good number; Martha's voice is as clear as a bell and her excellent diction makes her performance even better! Martha delivers "Three Little Sisters" with lots of positive energy and that's excellent. Listen for "Ol' Man River;" Martha Raye's rendition plays with the tempo quite a bit but this classic tune still holds its own very well.

"(If You Can't Sing It) You'll Have To Swing It" features Martha front and center--and that's quite all right by me! This jazzy tune gets a fine interpretation by Martha and when the jazzy part begins this number takes off like a jet! Martha does an excellent job on "(If You Can't Sing It) You'll Have To Swing It;" she really opens up and belts this out like a pro! "I Got It Bad And That Ain't Good" is another highlight of this album; and when Martha Raye sings this you can tell she really was a fine songbird. The music that accompanies Martha fits in perfectly with her vocals. "I Cover The Waterfront" is another very special ballad; Martha Raye sings this with panache and I'm amazed at her natural talent.

"Sweet Lorraine" has a fine arrangement and Martha Raye delivers this with great sensitivity; I have associated this tune with Nat King Cole and his trio but Martha's interpretation is also quite good. "The Boy Next Door" comes from the MGM musical entitled Meet Me In St. Louis; and when Martha sings "The Boy Next Door" she infuses it with a lot of heartfelt emotion--Judy Garland would have been proud!

"After You've Gone" is an old, timeless classic that Martha performs flawlessly; her treatment of "After You've Gone" includes a slower tempo but it works very well. Similarly, "Miss Otis Regrets" gets a different style of treatment--Martha's version has a musical arrangement that's practically upbeat--this is something I never heard before but it sounds pretty good after all.

"Blues In The Night" has Martha singing her very best and the backup chorus harmonizes flawlessly to support Martha's performance; and the CD ends very strong with Martha Raye performing "That Old Black Magic." "That Old Black Magic" is another timeless love song that never ceases to amaze me. Martha certainly gives this the royal treatment with a delivery son strong and yet so sensitive that it really leaves a lasting impression on my mind.

Overall, Martha Raye fans will be thrilled that so many of these fine tunes have made it to CD. People who like classic pop vocals will also want this album.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Martha Raye Swings, May 14, 2007

By 

Joseph Mittleman "Movie Reviewer" (Merrick, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Martha Raye Swings (Audio CD)

I'd forgoten had good a voice Martha Raye had. I'm glad they released this CD. It was excellent.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Nice song selection, lousy sound, January 21, 2011

By 

JDC - See all my reviews

This review is from: Martha Raye Swings (Audio CD)

I own numerous discs of singers from this era, and this is one of the worst in sound quality I have seen. I wasn't familiar with Sepia prior to this, but I can guarantee that I won't be purchasing any more of their discs. This disc is a real fooler, as the liner notes and cover art make it look like a real professional job.