Songs of Steve Allen

Various Artists (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 22, 1996)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Varese Sarabande
• ASIN: B0000014ZA
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #190,708 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. This Could Be the Start of Something Big - Steve Lawrence/Eydie Gorme

2. Picnic - The McGuire Sisters

3. Tonight - Buddy Greco

4. Oh, What a Night for Love - Ella Fitzgerald

5. Gravy Waltz - Mel Torme

6. Spring in Main - Margaret Whiting

7. Impossible - Nat King Cole

8. Banana Split - Jackie Cain/Roy Kral

9. South Rampart Street Parade - Bing Crosby/The Andrews Sisters

10. On the Beach - The Playmates

11. Junior Prom - Joni James

12. Pretend You Don't See Her - Jerry Vale

13. All at Once - Tonio Arden

14. With You - Jennie Smith

15. Kiss Me First - Roy Hamilton

16. I Love You Says It Very Well - Ann Jillian

17. Cool Yule - Louis Armstrong

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars fine interpretations of songs by Steve Allen, October 28, 2010

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: Songs of Steve Allen (Audio CD)

While I always knew Steve Allen was a comedian (my mother loved him), I didn't know he was also a prolific composer and lyricist until I stumbled over this CD! This excellent, underrated album features brilliant interpretations of Steve's work by the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters, The McGuire Sisters, Jerry Vale, Margaret Whiting, Mel Tormé--and quite a few more! The quality of the sound is excellent, too.

There are seventeen tracks on this album; and there isn't a weak one in the lot. I'm very impressed! The CD starts with Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme doing their usual best on "This Could Be the Start of Something Big." The lush musical arrangement especially with that brass complements their singing to perfection; and it all holds its own very well. The McGuire Sisters harmonize and sing faultlessly as they perform "Picnic;" and listen for Buddy Greco to do a wonderful rendition of "Tonight." "Oh, What a Night for Love" gets the royal treatment from the "First Lady of Song," the great Ella Fitzgerald--and she never lets go of a single superfluous note--I love it!

"Gravy Waltz" is performed by Mel Tormé and Mel really does this one up right! "Spring in Maine" showcases the marvelous talent of Margaret Whiting; I always enjoy hearing her sing. Nat "King" Cole does "Impossible" with panache while those strings are used to great advantage in the musical arrangement; and there's a cute number in "Banana Split" as done by Jackie Cain and Roy Kral. "South Rampart Street Parade" gets a most spirited treatment from the marvelous Andrews Sisters along with Bing Crosby; and I really like other tunes including "On the Beach" by The Playmates; Joni James' fine interpretation of "Junior Prom" and Jerry Vale crooning so smoothly as he sings the poignant "Pretend You Don't See Her."

Toni Arden does a fine job on "All at Once;" her voice is crystal clear and very easy on the ear, to say the least. Jennie Smith sings "With You" very well; and Roy Hamilton turns out ""Kiss Me First" with a great deal of heart and soul--just one listen proves it! "I Love You Says It Very Well" is beautifully performed by Ann Jillian; and the CD closes with Louis Armstrong and the others giving us an exhilarating version of the playful yet classic "Cool Yule."

Any fan of Steve Allen's music should consider this a must-have album for their collections; this is also a fine album for anyone who enjoys classic pop vocals with musical arrangements written and performed in exceptionally good taste. People just discovering Steve Allen's musical gift can consider this album an outstanding starter CD.