Customer Reviews

Singles

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

 

 

I bought this compilation even though I already had a single-disc Pat Boone best-of because mine didn't include his Little Richard covers, Tutti Frutti and Long Tall Sally, as well as At My Front Door and some of the minor hits. But when I listened to this, I discovered that every track from I Almost Lost My Mind to If Dreams Came True were not the original Dot mono recordings, but rather the stereo re-recordings that Boone made in 1959. His early 60's hits Moody River and Speedy Gonzales, of course, were done only in stereo, so these are the original recordings, as are Tutti Frutti, Long Tall Sally, and At My Front Door. But if you are a stickler for historical accuracy and insist on the original hit recordings, you may think twice about spending $27 on this.

People remember Pat for his love songs and the novelty up-tempo Speedy Gonzalez, but they don't think of him as a rock'n'roll singer.

Actually, Pat's earliest hits were covers of songs by Little Richard and Fats Domino. In those days, people tended to buy records according to race, so it was common practice for singers to cover songs first recorded by somebody of a different race. So it was that Pat achieved major American hits with his versions of Ain't that a shame (Fats Domino), I'll be home (The Flamingos), Tutti Frutti, Long tall Sally (both Little Richard) and I almost lost my mind (Ivory Joe Hunter). Of course, Pat's versions lacked the rawness and energy of the originals, but they established him as a major pop singer in the fifties. As such, they are worth hearing and all of them are included here.

After all those covers of black songs, Pat switched his attention to the ballads he is now remembered for. Love letters in the sand, Remember you're mine, April love, A wonderful time up there, Sugar moon, If dreams come true and I'll remember tonight were all huge American hits. Later hits were smaller, but they are also included in this set. In 1961, Pat's career took off again with Moody River, but there was to be only one more major hit - Speedy Gonazles.

So, this is an interesting compilation that includes all the obvious hits, most of the minor hits and a few other interesting tracks. You can get all the obvious stuff on a single CD, but it is interesting to explore further than that. As such, this set, which includes comprehensive liner notes, is ideal.

I searched for the most complete anthology of Pat Boone's
overall music career, and selected this two-cd set. The sound
quality seems quite good to me, and all of his best-known
songs are included from the 1950's and 60's. The included booklet summarizes his career objectively. In addition, there
is a chronilogical listing as to where and when all these songs
peaked on the charts. There is also a thorough discography of
all his album releases over the years.

"Moody River" was one of my favourite tracks when I was still a schoolboy in the UK and "Johnny Will" was another. We won't mention "Speedy Gonzalez", another monster hit. All these, as well as classics such as "Love Letters In the Sand", are on this compilation of singles. Good clear recordings including some re-recordings of the earlier rock 'n' roll material which was before my time so it doesn't bother me. Actually I prefer a consistent sound standard. So if it means some old mono singles are not there, too bad. I'm not such a purist. I have many recordings and re-recordings by Sinatra, for example, and that never diminished my enjoyment of the songs. Pat has a great voice and this double CD evoked many good memories. Delivered on time in Belgium in perfect condition. Thanks!

This is an excellent collection of Pat Boone's hits. His fans will love it. However, I was disappointed that the versions of the songs preceding April Love were not the original single recordings as in my Pat's Great Hits vinyl album, although the arrangements are very close. But since the album title is "Singles", I expected the original recordings.

I know that some of the hits of his like Love letters in the sand and a few others that he redid in 1959 is because he did not like those versions that he did the first time around that's why he redid them. I like the redone ones a little more than the original because they have a little life to them. But i do like the originals also but it is still a good set to have.

I'm not happy with this CD. These are not the original recordings, and I did not find any notification that the recordings were not original or that they had been re-mastered.
This CD was made in Holland, and should have stayed there.