Customer Reviews

The Real Complete Columbia Years V-Disc

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In 1994 and again in 1998 , a 2-cd set was issued called "The V-Discs : Columbia Years 1943-1945". Although a good set , it was missing several vital recordings...this is the one that solves that problem. The 20 tracks omitted from the aforementioned 2 cd set are now hear , in glorious sound , (considering the age and source) on a beautifully assembled 3-disc package. Of course , having been released substantially earlier , I purchased the 2-cd set , and then forked over the entire price of this box for the 20 additional songs.....worth every penny. Some of Sinatra's primo stuff....but what with Sinatra isn't primo ?

I came upon this CD set while in a music store, and being a fan of movies and music from the 30s and 40s, I had to buy it. V-Disks were specially made 12-inch unbreakable records shipped overseas to troops during World War II. Popular singers of that era would record songs without receiving a penny for them. Rather, it was done for the greater duty of entertaining troups and keeping them up-to-date on what was being played on the airwaves back home.
Frank Sinatra was one of these singers. Every one of of his songs recorded on V-Discs are in this collection along with a souvenir booklet on the history of V-Discs and of Sinatra throughout the war years. The pictures are superb.
Every song is beautifully crooned, from the days when Sinatra had a velvet voice. He sings along with Tommy Dorsey's orchestra along with a few cameos by the Pied Pipers.
I admit, I'm not a huge fan of Sinatra's songs from the days of the Rat Pack, but I greatly admire his work from the war years. If you're a fan of Bing Crosby, Rudy Vallee or Dick Haymes, or if you are a hopeless romantic who wishes to kiss that special someone under the moon and the stars, you will WANT this collection! I'm so glad I came upon it. It's just one of those things that brings much enjoyment into my life.