Puttin on the Ritz: Capitol Sings Berlin

Various Artists (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 25, 1992)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Capitol
• ASIN: B00000DRDI
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #171,328 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars fine compilation of hits by the great Irving Berlin, April 18, 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: Puttin on the Ritz: Capitol Sings Berlin (Audio CD)

Puttin' on the Ritz: Capitol Sings Irving Berlin is an excellent CD. We get twenty-five wonderful Irving Berlin hits sung by some of the greatest at Capitol Records. The sound quality is excellent and I like the artwork, too!

Mary Martin & John Raitt kick off the track set with a great rendition of "There's No Business Like Show Business." The chorus backs them up well; but they needed no backup-- Mary Martin & John Raitt sing this so very well and the melody is very pretty. The great Judy Garland does a very jazzy rendition of "Puttin' On The Ritz;" Judy sings this better than I've ever heard it and she bats this one straight out of the ballpark.

"The Song Is Ended (But The Melody Lingers On)" by Dinah Shore starts with a great flute arrangement; and when Dinah comes in this number really takes flight! Dinah's voice is clear as a bell; she never sounded better! Listen also for Margaret Whiting to perform a rousing rendition of "Heave Wave." I always liked "Heat Wave;" it's a fun song and Margaret does it great justice. The male backup chorus bolsters Margaret's performance, too.

"Play A Simple Melody" by Jo Stafford gets a great musical arrangement; and this still sounds fresh and new today! Jo's voice is rich, warm and very vibrant. Johnny Mercer & The Pied Pipers also weight in with their version of "Alexander's Ragtime Band;" this classic oldie but goodie gets the royal treatment with a fine big band arrangement. Johnny Mercer sings this to perfection--and beyond! The Pied Pipers do a great job on this tune, too. Peggy Lee also does great on "Cheek To Cheek."

Betty Hutton sings "Blue Skies" very sweetly and the music uses the strings very well. "Blue Skies" is easily a major highlight of this album. Similarly, Nat King Cole does a smash-up job on "Let's Face The Music And Dance." Nat King Cole sings this so well you'd swear his rendition is THE definitive interpretation of this ballad. Dean Martin also does a wonderful job on "I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm." Ooh, how Dean Martin could croon!

Jo Stafford also does a fine job on "White Christmas." Excellent!

This is certainly a fine CD for people who want nostalgic versions of classic pop vocals. People who enjoy the artists on this CD will want this one, too.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Solid Capitol Issue, November 4, 2001

By 

F. Kelly "wystan" (Atlanta, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Puttin on the Ritz: Capitol Sings Berlin (Audio CD)

These "Capitol Sings" CDs are terrific surveys of the works of the great American songwriters, and the Irving Berlin disc is one of the best. Standout performances include Kay Starr's "You're Just In Love," Betty Hutton's up-tempo "Blue Skies," and Peggy Lee's "Cheek To Cheek." There are also some lovely Nat King Cole numbers, and a seldom-heard Bobby Darrin swinger ("All By Myself"). A great addition to any collection of 20th-century standards.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful tribute album, June 20, 2000

By 

"tevyeg" (STUDIO CITY, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Puttin on the Ritz: Capitol Sings Berlin (Audio CD)

I usually steer clear of tribute albums -- with very few notable exceptions (the "Two Rooms" tribute to Elton John & Bernie Taupin springs to mind), they always fall flat. But how delightful that Capitol Records has culled from their extensive catalog some of the very best examples of Irving Berlin material recorded by some of their classic vocal artists, most notably the great Judy Garland. This album is worth the price of purchase just for Judy's rendition of "Puttin' on the Ritz" alone.

If you're a fan of Judy Garland or of Irving Berlin, be sure to check this album out.... and add it to your collection! You won't be disappointed, since at this price, it's a REAL steal!