Customer Reviews

Swingin the Standards

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

What more can be said of the late, great Bobby Darin? If you like classic pop ballad singers, listen to Bobby sing "Try To Remember" or "After You've Gone." If you like swing, well, any uptempo tune from this collection is sufficient proof that had Darin lived he would have blown by Tony Bennett and saddled right up next to Sinatra. He possessed enormous and genuine talent, charisma, and a magical touch with every genre of music. This collection is one of the all-time great compilations of popular song. What a shame the man died so young.

This album is a very generous sampling of the Bobby Darin treatment of some Tin Pan Alley standards. I think "Liza" by the Gershwins is the very best reason to buy the recording: Bobby sounds as if he's captured an updated spirit of Al Jolson. Admittedly, you have to be a Darin fan to want this album--if you're a Darin novice, start with "That's All," "This is Darin," and "Great Gentlemen of Song" first--then this one. It's terrible that Darin died at 37, or he'd be out-Bennetting Tony Bennett today, and duetting with Ray Charles too.

Bobby Darin sings balads on this CD, and sang it like no other singer in his day. He was unique and an original, and ALL the songs on this album proove this. Get this album and you will enjoy every song as I did. I still can not believe that this great talent died so young. We only have his songs with his incredible singing ability to remember him by, and I am thankful for this.

Darin is a fabulous singer and gives this album his all. As one of my friends says, "Bobby Darin never phoned it in." This particular album suffers some from the material - overripe 1960s pop and show tunes that few would actually call "standards". "Talk to the Animals"? Ask yourself: WWFD - What Would Frank Do? If Sinatra wouldn't sing it, it wasn't a standard.

Bobby sings with as much punch and energy as anyone including Frank. He shows his softer side on songs like "The Shadow of Your Smile" and "Try To Remember." "I Will Wait for You" is one of the better efforts in this genre.

There are a few very good cuts here, notably "Don't Rain On My Parade", which is exceptional, "Lover Come Back To Me", and "Liza", a fine ballad. There are also some low-key, fun swinging tunes like "It's Today" and "It's Only a Paper Moon".

Those starting out their Darin collections can find better values and more classic tunes elsewhere. Those who have already done that and are filling out their Darin catalogues may find some tunes they enjoy here.

Any fan of Bobby Darin should own this album. Most of the cuts are right on the mark (though I would advise that you skip Liza and Mame.) It is a testament to Darin's talent that he could even make drivel like Talk To The Animals an interesting piece of music.

I loved this album; it's the essence of Bobby Darin! Even today, he would be one of the greatest! Like Patsy Cline, he will live on forever!!

First things first, if you're a Bobby Darin fan, you must own this CD. Plain and simple. Just so you know what sort of source you're getting your information from, I don't like "frou frou" Rodgers and Hammerstein-like musicals. Yep, I'm the one who rents THE KING AND I and fast forwards through all the songs. That rules out LIZA and MAME. I also like my big band songs to be snappy, bluesy, or fun, not sappy and melodramatic. So long SHADOW OF YOUR SMILE, THE OTHER HALF OF ME and TRY TO REMEMBER from my CD playlist.

What remains? Enough wonderful songs to still make the purchase price a steal. IT'S TODAY and LOVER COME BACK TO ME are so peppy, if the songs were a person you'd want to slap 'em for being too upbeat. AFTER YOU'VE GONE has only been done better by blues queen Bessie Smith. TALK TO THE ANIMALS is fun stuff from Dr. Doolittle, and I BELIEVE IN YOU is hilarious. And the first song? Well, move over Babs, Bobby has a parade worth keeping dry. You know, dry ... like the slam -- bang -- tang, reminiscent of gin and vermouth!

I bought this CD for one track only; his version of "After You've Gone" is priceless! No problems with vendor...

I own six other Bobby Darin CD's. This CD offers songs that you won't find on the other CD's. These renditions feature Darin's fun, unique style. If you love his music then I'm sure you'll love this CD.

If you are a Bobby Darin fan, you will love this CD. Bobby Darin was one of the best, listen to this CD if you are not familiar with his muisc, and you will be a fan!