Customer Reviews

Tall Dark Stranger

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This album feels like an afterthought, especially in regards to the earlier Bear Family album of Robert Mitchum's songs, "That Man," which included his two LPs, "That Man, Robert Mitchum" and "Calypso Is Like So." This newer disc at least includes the songs from "Rachel and the Stranger," which -- as they were released as a mini-album when the film came out -- should have been in the earlier set. The remainder of the songs seem to be rough cuts -- including studio voices, and truncated songs. Clearly Mitchum was intended to redo these; they're mildly interesting as they are, but far from finished work. The most annoying aspect of this album, though, is that it does NOT wrap up all the remaining Mitchum recordings, which seems to have been the intent. Mitchum sang the title song in "River of No Return" (and sang it very well), but it's not here. Granted, it was never (to my knowledge) released as a single or included on a soundtrack album, but it IS in the movie, and surely a cut could have been drawn directly from the track. Also, Mitchum memorably sings two gospel songs in "Night of the Hunter," and again, it wouldn't have been difficult to extract those from the track of the movie itself. As the psychopath Preacher Harry Powell, Mitchum did a beautiful but chilling version of "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms," and that certainly should have been included on this album, which would have made it less disappointing than it is.

This isn't the first album you should get if you like Mitchum's singing but I think it's being underrated in other reviews. There's something about Mitchum's voice that I like and is quite pleasing and fun. And what is surprising is that he did three albums that are totally different from each other. The songs from Rachel and the Stranger are rather staid and boring but the demos from later are quite good. It's disapointing when Dream a Little Dream Of Me ends early because he forgets the words. (Also strange to hear Mitchum doing a song that was a hit for Mama Cass Elliot. Yet it still fits him, is totally masculine, and is very likable. But it's too short!) What is This Thing Called Love and Roving Gambler sound great and slickly professional and you might never guess it's Mitchum. He nails them perfectly and they work better than I imagine Sinatra or anyone else of that era would do them. Mitchum has very good instincts for the right feel for a song and these demos make you want more like them. (I think one book on Mitchum insinuated there are other unreleased songs from later years.) The demos here capture the hip Mitchum you would see in shades and telling stories on talk shows probably better than he ever did in his movie roles. And it's a cool that's appealing because he isn't forcing it (like sometimes with Sinatra's or Darin's rather smug "Oh, I am hip, Baby" routines). It seems Mitchum at his most natural and relaxed. And he's much more naturally hip than the finger snappers ever were. But it is only about half a dozen songs and they are demos but I think some of them really work well. I actually like Mitchum as well or better for these offbeat albums than most (but not all) his work as an actor. This is the relaxed and cool Mitchum. And if there's anything left, they should release them. He actually had some talent for this. And it's almost all fun stuff.

I really enjoyed Bear Family's Robert Mitchum two-fer "That Man" and immediately bought this disc when I saw it. First of all, the content is lighter weight than his other albums. These tracks from his early filmwork are great for the Mitchum fan but someone wanting to actually investigate the man's singing ability should be directed to "That Man" or "Calypso Is Like So". My complaint (and the reason I didn't give it a higher rating) is the packaging. I thought it was beautiful when I first opened it. A shiny gatefold cardboard package with a clear disc tray and a gorgeous book full of movie posters and a complete filmography with lots of great info. Then the tray fell off of the cardboard backing. Then, the pages started falling out of the book! The whole thing literally fell apart on me! For a pricey import disc such as this, it's totally unacceptable. Maybe I just got a defective one, but I'm not willing to plunk down another 22 bucks to find out. If you feel you must buy this disc, a word of caution: handle with care!

In addition to being a great actor, Robert Mitchum had a fine singing voice. This CD collects some "rarities" he recorded that were never intended for commercial release. The first six tracks here are songs that he sang in his movie "Rachel and the Stranger". Then there are seven demos he recorded (date unknown). These are standards on which he is backed by a jazz trio (piano, bass and drums). These are very short, because Bob can't remember all the words to the songs. Finally, the CD ends with the title song and the closing credits song to Bob's film "Young Billy Young", which he sang. These are not essential recordings by any means, but Mitchum fans will enjoy them. An earlier reviewer said that his CD holder fell apart. Well, that happened to mine, also.

Not a CD to buy when wanting easy listening too boring - made for German market. Booklet with CD. Robert Mitchum's gravelly voice does not come through as it should. Not a good buy. Recommend Calypso Is Like So.