Customer Reviews

Duets [ORIGINAL RECORDINGS REMASTERED]

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Jeanette MacDonald was THE Perfect Ingenue. Gorgeous, and a marvelous coloratura soprano, she and "That Baritone"(MGM's Louis Mayer's term for dashing Nelson Eddy), sang their way into the hearts of America in the late 1920s (for Jeanette] through the 40s and a bit of the 1950s. They were the screen's premier romantic couple. This CD reprises those magic years to thrill those with young hearts and impeccable taste in the good and best of romantic musicals. The "Wanting You" scene of "New Moon" in the garden depicts perhaps the most romantic kiss ever filmed. To hear it again in this CD brings back the delight to savor, again and again.

In other compilations of this screen pairing of the 30's, Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy do verbatim, strictly note-by-note renditions. Not so, here. This one stands out for many reasons. You see, a fan of theirs went back to the original source, the film stock itself to lift the voices and place their actual screen efforts for the public to enjoy, which makes this thrilling to hear. Now, I possess some radio recordings of theirs from the 40's, The Lux Theatre for instance, where Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy duplicate their screen hits for listeners which are fine, considering the medium limitations. Here, you get to hear the impromptu, lesser songs that filled their movies, like "Carry Me Back To Old Virginny," and "Santa Lucia," as well as the classics that demonstrate the rightness of this pairing. Technically, in places I hear Nelson lagging behind intentionally, realizing that he is at once thrilled by what he is hearing from Jeanette, savoring it until he vocally achieves tempo. Van Dyke, the director, was certainly a shrewd one to make these cuts final containing so much raw feeling; so much a mix of affection and palpable admiration while vocalizing,it brings one with sentiment to tears. Like being on the soundstage, or a part of the lighting crew when these two screen immortals sang, you will be thrilled to hear these non-pareil soloists pair with electric delight like no contemporary artist electronically placed together today. The warmth and heat of this screen couple lives here.

The Eddy-MacDonald CD "Duets" is a winner. Most, if not all, of the songs are taken from their actual performances -- copied directly from the soundtracks. Fans of theirs should be delighted.

This CD is a glorious production of some of their most popular duets. I loved it. However, I am a big fan of Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson eddy so what would you expect?

My gradmother introduced me to their movies back in the 60's when they had them at the local theatre. I was a kid but feel in love with their voices. When i look at them now, i may chuckle a little for the story lines but these two were and still are the greatest to me. I love this CD with their duets. There just this kind of talent anymore. I'm in my early 60's now and it just seems if we had singers and actors like this now instead of the crimes, killings, swearing, and other horrible things that do imatate life now, we would be better off. It's very sad what has happened to the innocents of this country. I'm glad i have such wonderful memories with my gradmother with Jeanette McDonald and Nelson Eddy. Thank you Jeanette and Nelson and GOD rest.

Most cds that i have from Nelson Eddy and Jeannette Macdonald are the songs that
were made in studios...but this cd has studio songs also, but in a rare move, you
have songs clipped from the movies themselves, so you will hear a bit of the audio
just before the song starts. I think this is great, especially if you have seen
and loved their movies. There is even a song or two where Jeannette breaks down
crying before the song ends....this is classic stuff.
I bought this cd cause i wanted the full song " I married a angel " from the movie.
Well its there, but not all there. You see, they did some edits but failled to see
the magic. The Magic of this song is made of several parts, starting as Jeannette
the Angel is signing this haunting beautifull melody as she is decending from
the heavens...so on this cd they only took the last part of the haunting melody,
and then she starts signing.... You dont know what you are missing till you see
the movie... and also within the song you have Nelson Eddy comming down
the stairs signing a related melody that is magic when combined with i married a
angel, but the cd does not have this part also.
So bottom line, im really pleased with this CD, but if you really want the impact
of " I married a angel " get the movie, i guarantee you a musical smile.

A lovely album of some of the most famous duets from Jeanette and Nelson. But many of the songs sound as if they were just lifted right out of the movies they came from, which is odd but also I suppose interesting. His voice recorded much better than hers with the technology of that era. So Eddy sounds much better. McDonald sounds... well, the recording is so inferior to what we're used to, it's hard to know if she was a brilliant singer or if she had a terrible warble. But if you love those songs and the mystique of them together, it's a wonderful item in your collection.

Even after all these many years of passing, MacDonald and Eddy still stand at the summit of vocal duets. Their blend has never been matched and, if one may hazard a quess, probably never will. Hollywood got it right teaming these two gifted artists together in so many delightful musical films.

I remember the pleasure I got from watching the films they starred in. This DVD
brought back some of those memories. I enjoyed it very much and can recommend it
to all who enjoy good singing.

Jasmine has done a remarkable job of filling a CD with Nelson and Jeanette duets. Considering they actually recorded only 6 duets throughout their partnership, Jasmine has gone to the movie soundtracks to complete this great CD. Now, a suggestion for another project, perhaps a Nelson Eddy, Gale Sherwood CD filled with their duets from the 1950s and 1960s.