Customer Reviews

Phil Harris - His Original & Greatest Hits [ORIGINAL RECORDINGS REMASTERED]

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

 

 

I grew up listening to Phil Harris, as my parents were fans. I bought this CD for my old favorites, "Darktown Poker Club" & "44 Sycamore"; the latter was a pleasant surprise. The only lyrics I could remember was the chorus; I had forgotten how deliciously droll the verses are. "Never Trust A Woman" was a new one on me. Although not PC these days, I found it amusing nonetheless. The musical accompaniment will have the stuffiest conservative's toes tapping in spite of themselves. The recording/engineering is cleaner than I thought it would be, considering when this music was first recorded. Harris' personality shines through on every song. He is the jolly uncle every kid should have, the one who always raises the grown-up's eyebrows, but delights the young ones. This CD is just plain fun. If you're young at heart & enjoy big band swing music with a touch of humor in the lyrics, this CD is for you.

I had to laugh at the review below that complains about this album "proselytizing" because of the gospel songs on it. She must make it a habit to buy albums by singers she knows little about. I guess I need to start complaining about popular albums that contain secular attitudes and loose morals - after I have bought them!
I am quite fond of Phil Harris. He was a big lovable southern guy deeply proud of his southern Methodist roots. He started out as a drummer and went on to become the bandleader on the Jack Benny radio show. His great comedic timing made him a regular character on that show. His stage personality of the heavy drinking, womanizing, loophole finding, fun loving orchestra guy was a big hit with audiences. He went on to marry movie star Alice Faye. Everyone was sure the marriage of this rough guy to the glamourous star would end in a few months. It lasted until Faye died. Their radio show (easily available on ebay in mp3 format) was one of the funniest radio shows around and influenced the more sophisticated tv shows such as "The Dick Van Dyke" show. It is a great, still very funny show and well worth checking out. It ran for 6 years and got better each year that it was on. Writers loved writing for these two. Harris played every writer's dream of a lovable rascal.
Phil Harris went on to sing "The Bare Necessities" in Disney's "The Jungle Book". He continued to appear on tv until health problems took over.
And yes, he sang gospel songs - like a good southern boy, he sang them often and with all of his big warm heart.

I ordered this CD for my husband. When he was younger, he used to go to
see Phil Harris and danced to his dance band. He loves this kind of music. I put the CD on and Herb sits and listens and laughs at the funny
songs and thoroughly enjoys the others. It is a great way to reminisce
for him. As far as we are concerned, it was a good purchase and we are
glad to have [...] to do business with.

one of the greatest entertainers of the past. good to hear his music again on this great record.

My dad especially wanted songs from this singer, as he remembered them from long ago. To my surprise, they're pretty funny even today. Phil Harris gravelly voice and sing-song delivery make this delightful.

I grew up with my Dad playing a 78 sized 33rpm of Phil Harris. Was thrilled to find this collection. It has so many classic hits, though it misses his contributions to Disney's library. Sound quality is actually pretty good, considering the age of the masters. Its perhaps not for the PC crowd--he's from a different era when things now considered unacceptable were commonplace. Keep your history in mind and enjoy the experience in the spirit it was intended. Liner notes were very educational for me.

Phil Harrie sounds ike a goofy old Garndpa, singing to his embarassed--but secretly amuse--grandkids. He's clean (thank you) and pretty un-PC (thank you again) and sings a lot about playing cards & other mild vices. He's s bit disrespectful of women, but we can take it.

Forty years ago I broke a 78rpm record belonging to a friend and felt guilty ever since. I live in Aus and he in UK so I was finally able to replace his record for his 79th birthday. Everything takes time!

Welcome reminder of old favourites.
Lots of fun.
My kids ruined the original vinyl -- using it as a Frisbee. They didn't understand my displeasure

Would buy from this vendor again, did what they said they would do and thats all I ask of them.