Customer Reviews

Satins & Spurs

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Betty Hutton was Paramount's answer to Judy Garland in the 40's. A blonde, whirling dervish of unlimited energy and spirit. Sadly, she isnt that well remembered today, except by film buffs. She and Garland had a lot in common, besides the fact their film careers pretty much ended by the early 50's. (in Hutton's case, I'm not sure why. Garland at least had her "Star" comeback, but Hutton never did have a movie comeback, though was active in nightclubs). This is a wonderful introduction to Hutton and captures her zest for life. The first part is Satin and Spurs, a kind of Poor Man's Annie Get Your Gun television special from the early 50's. Its ok, not in the same league as Annie. But its the rest of the CD that is really special, containing many of her Capitol recordings from the 40's. Great songs by a great performer. Betty could do it all: swing, boogie woogie, novelty numbers and bring a tear to your eye singing torch songs. This is a great recording to play on a cold rainy day when your spirits are down. Guaranteed to lift your spirits! If you like this, try the Rhino Soundtrack of Annie Get Your Gun, which has recordings by both Betty and Judy on it (Betty replaced Judy after she couldnt go on with the project). And check out Betty's films, many of which are out on video or DVD. Betty Hutton rules! I only wish more of her recordings were available.

Betty Hutton is still regarded as one of the most underrated performers of the 40's and 50's. Hopefully, with this reissue of the soundtrack her classic television musical SATINS AND SPURS, the situation might reverse itself.

Betty Hutton played the leading role in the musical SATINS AND SPURS, televised live by NBC in 1954, with a score by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans. There's only a slight 8 songs featured in this musical, so the rest of the CD is padded out by a whopping 17 songs from Hutton's recording days with Capitol.

Hutton sings an array of songs including the hilarious "Hamlet" as well as "Blue Skies", "It Had to Be You", "I Wish I Didn't Love You So" and "Rumble, Rumble, Rumble", both from THE PERILS OF PAULINE; "Poppa, Don't Preach to Me" and "Doctor, Lawyer, Indian Chief".

Betty Hutton had an erratic career. She's still best-known for her Hollywood films, including the leading roles in THE PERILS OF PAULINE and ANNIE GET YOUR GUN, though she also cleverly played twin sisters in the delightful Bing Crosby musical HERE COME THE WAVES. She had a featured role in Cecile B. DeMille's THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH before sliding into obscurity. In the 1960s she was lured back to Broadway to replace an injured Carol Burnett in the disastrous FADE OUT-FADE IN, before yet another slide into anominity. In the early 80's she made yet another comeback, when she made a stint as Miss Hannigan in Broadway's ANNIE. A couple of years back, Miss Hutton gave an exhilarating interview for Turner Classic Movies.

This lovely new reissue from DRG is a must-own for all Betty Hutton and Broadway collectors.

Singer/actor/comedienne Betty Hutton was a huge star in the 1940s -- nicknamed "the blonde bombshell," she rivalled Betty Grable as a pin-up favorite, even though her public persona was as somewhat of a daffy-headed dame, sort of the same image Lucille Ball would adopt in the following decade.

This album is a long overdue update of the Hutton catalog... A new best-of that also includes eight songs from her 1958 TV special, "Satins And Spurs," which originally came out on a Capitol 10" and features some of her most brassy, showtunes-y vocals since "Annie Get Your Gun." Then comes a much-welcome reprise of her best Capitol material, including "A Square In The Social Circle," "Rumble, Rumble, Rumble," "Doin' It The Hard Way," and others. Not merely a replacement, but an upgrade for the old Capitol "Spotlight" CD (which has been out of print since 1994... nearly ten years!) Devoted fans and Hutton-curious alike should snap this puppy up... It's likely to be the best disc of hers we'll see in a long while!

There are exactly eight selections from this forgotten TV musical, with some nice harmonizing and big brassy orchestrations. They're alright, but Hutton's voice has seen better days -- and then there's the additional 17 numbers from her Capitol years. These are precisely the recordings I've been looking for! All her best numbers from the movies: "His Rocking Horse Ran Away," "A Square in The Social Circle," "Hamlet," "Rumble, Rumble, Rumble," they're all here. The pressings are so clean and live it's like hearing them for the first time. (A few even have some vintage spoken introductions I've never heard before.) Rip-snortin' one moment, tender and moving the next, these Capitol cuts are definitive Betty, and the real reason this disc is a must-have.

If you were only going to buy one Betty Hutton CD I would recommend this one. Not only do you get her performing in the TV musicial "Satins and Spurs", you also get a greatest hits collection plus the lovely "Love is the Darndest Thing" duet she does with herself.

After watching Betty Hutton being interviewed on TCM I was haunted by the song they played at the end - I Wish I Didn't Love You So. Up till then I'd only known (and loved) Betty for her zany numbers. This album is probably not the best out there (Somebody Loves Me seems to have better sound quality and more of her beautiful ballads), but there are some fun songs on this one. I Wish I Didn't Love You So really is hauntingly beautiful. The Satin and Spurs songs from the TV special are basically forgettable.

i LOOOOV Betty Hutton! I bot this CD along with ALL of her others after seeing a special interview of her on Turner Classics followed by some of her amazing movies!

She is a POWERhouse to say the least AND she is the MOST romantic, tender ballad singer I have EVER heard. She delivers such subtlety it is exquisite!!

I was so inspired by a couple of the songs that I have learned them and performed them!! ENJOY!!

It was so great to hear Ms. Hutton again. The audio quality is great. I will be making my purchases soon!