Customer Reviews

Spotlight on

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Keely Smith is one of my favorite female vocalists, and this excellent Capitol collection rates highly. Sound quality is typical Capitol in the 1950s -- which is superb, and the track list is generous.

More than most of her contemporaries, Smith's vocals have aged well and lack the overly sweet or naive character of some other talented women singers from the 1950s. She sings with power and a great sense of timing and phrasing, a bit of an accent ('ab-owt') that never quite ceases to call attention to itself but does not detract from the charm of the music. While most of the songs are a pleasure, Smith especially shines on the swinging numbers -- 'It's Been a Long Long Time' and others -- that showcase her vocal strength. 'Imagination' and others are also fine, but she comes into her own on numbers such as 'The Song Is You' and 'When Your Lover Has Gone'.

The best part of Keely Smith's library is that, unlike the gifted June Christy who recorded a lot of obscure material, Smith went with absolute top-notch arrangers and songs. Billy May and Nelson Riddle are about as good as it gets, and Smith's recordings of 'Stardust', 'The Song is You' and 'Don't Take Your Love from Me' (to cite three examples) are treasurable.

If you have not listened to Keely Smith before, I would strongly recommend this album as a first purchase. Music was simply better a half century ago, and the musicianship and inspired vocals here attest to that.

Up until a week or so ago, I had never heard of Keely Smith (or Louis Prima). I bought this disc on a whim, which sometimes I'll do should I have a few spare bucks. Rather than be a compulsive shopper, I can usually resist a whim that tells me to buy something. I didn't listen this time, because the CD looked interesting, and I knew many of the songs. Now I find myself wondering why I never noticed Keely Smith before!

One of my fellow reviewers compares her effortless style with Dean Martin. I have to agree upon several listens that Keely does indeed have a slightly Dino-like quality with her easygoing phrasing. This shouldn't be surprising, since apparently Keely and her husband were big in Vegas around the time the Rat Packers were in swingin', swank style there. However, while her style seems effortless, Keely can also pack a lot of power into a song ("When Your Lover Has Gone" comes to mind).

I like the arrangements, too. There's some cool changes in tempo from slow to swingin' and back again ("It's Magic", "Stardust"). Others quietly support in the background, peeking out only when called for ("Mr. Wonderful", "I'll Never Smile Again").

This is a top ten collection on my list. Twenty cuts that cover Keely's Capitol catalog fairly well, clear-as-a-bell processing, and all at a decent price.

If like me, you haven't heard of Keely before, you'll want to grab this album to start with. I for one am glad I listened to that whim which got me to buy the disc. If you pick this one up, I think you'll be glad, too!

The entire Capitol SPOTLIGHT SERIES is among the finest reissues of the recent past. Every one I've heard has some great 1950's-early 60's recordings that may not always have been the artists' best known. That is especially true of the Dean Martin, Bobby Darin, Margaret Whiting, and Keely Smith releases. Keely's was my first purchase, and still my favorite. Sure, all the songs are tried and true, but she sings crystal clear, every note perfect. Every song is outstanding. My favorites are swing versions of THERE WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER YOU, and DONT TAKE YOUR LOVE FROM ME. Another one I'LL GET BY is a neglected gem sounding perfect here too. Plus the arrangers are all top, including Nelson Riddle and Billy May, who famously worked with Nat Cole and Mr. Sinatra himself...BTW, Keely's very recent tribute to Frank shows she's still going strong, sounding as fine as ever, even at 70 or so. One more thing, you can find two Keely- Frank duets on Frank's sensational COME DANCE WITH ME, recorded way back in 1958!

Keely Smith is backed by two of the finest jazz vocal arrangers, Billy May and Nelson Riddle on this compilation CD. Since Capital Records won't re-issue her two classic 50's LP's "Swingin' Pretty" and "Politely." Not to mention the generally excellent LP "I Wish You Love." We are forced to settle with this hophodge collection, until they do get around to re-issueing all of her classic Capital sessions. I would recommend searching second hand record shops and junk shops to find the three titles metioned above on LP, if even just for the great record covers, not to mentio nthe excellent music. Last of all go see Keely next time she plays through you're town she's still an excellen singer I got to see her live during her tour for her new CD "Swing, Swing, Swing" and she was better then ever. Also I can't wait for her next project to be released "Keely Sings Sinatra"

This is my favorite collection of Keely's music. What gorgeous vocals and phrasing on every song! This woman could sing the phone book & it'd sound fabulous. Though she did quite a few good songs with then hubby Louie Prima, her best stuff is her solo albums. Keely's pure and clear voice will capture you no matter how many times you listen to this cd. If only today's 'divas' (one of the most overused words in the English language) could sing like this, rather than the over-the-top, exaggerated screeching you hear nowadays wherever you go. This collection is highly recommended.

Of the classic era women standards singers, Keely is the best. It's as simple as that-her only rival in my mind is the late Susannah McCorkle, who recorded much later and died relatively young. And there's no denying that while McCorkle often had a more introspective, intellectual approach to the song, Keely swung and did so effortlessly, without the appearance of thought (which had to be deceiving-Keely has to be very intelligent to do what she does).

A lot of the difference is that Keely faced a mike with working 50's and 60's orchestras with Billy May and Nelson Riddle charts whereas modern singers like McCorkle and Karrin Allyson have-if they're lucky- Concord Jazz bands, who mostly play bop jazz and other hophead stuff.

You just can't go wrong with this compilation if you want the pure Keely Smith.

I'm a fan of all kinds of music - rock, classical, big band, etc. I started listening to a radio station here in town that plays "The Music of Your Life" and was introduced to singers such as Keely Smith, Jo Stafford, etc. Being born in the 60's, rock and roll and then in the 70's (disco) was pretty much all I listened to. But as I've gotten older, there really is no music like this! Voices such as Keely's are pure entertainment. I LOVE this CD ad couldn't wait to order it as soon as I found it on Amazon. No one in any stores in town could get this particular CD for me. Great buy - great entertainment!

I just bought "Spotlight on Keely Smith" last week, and it is my all-time favorite CD! In reviewing it, I asked myself what I could say about Keely. "Incredible" is too futile. I guess the best I can do is "absolute perfection." The same goes for the orchestration of Nelson Riddle and Billy May-the best in the business. The CD consists of 20 beautiful classics gloriously performed by Ms. Smith; there's not a dud in the bunch. You won't be fast forwarding over ANY of these gems! If you haven't bought "Spotlight," RUN to your nearest store or order on-line! Get it any way you can! HURRY!

I am in total awe of this work of art! I have never enjoyed any album more than "Spotlight on Keely".I don't know if CDs wear out but if they do I will be buying another copy very soon! I hear each song and I think of how much was put into it by each of the artists...WOW it's MAGIC! I actually get emotionally moved when listening to the songs and appreciate and understand the lyrics of these old standards like never before. Keely...You sigh,..the song begins,..you speak and I hear violins,...It's MAGIC! You can be very proud of your art! Great job by all involved, Thank you very much!

For those who are not familiar with Keely Smith's voice, this CD will have you hooked. Keely's range can go from silky smooth to jazzy hot from song to song. Her voice can lull you or make you jump up and want to sing along with her. This collection shows off Keely's range very well. There are some jazzy numbers, such as ON THE SUNNY SIDE OF THE STREET and some lush torch songs, like I WISH YOU LOVE. Her voice can be powerful, but not overwhelming, soft, but not breathy. If you like listening to female lounge-style singers, you'll love Keely!