Customer Reviews

This One's From the Heart

5 star:		(85)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Some of us remember James Darren as a briefly popular teen idol singer who recorded on Columbia Pictures' Colpix label during the early sixties. His hit records included pleasant but certainly unremarkable pop tracks such as "Goodbye, Cruel World," "Conscience," Her Royal Majesty," and of course, the unforgettable (hehe) "Gidget." Darren's performances were the tame, studio-polished type, but he actually had a fine voice and aquitted himself as a capable vocalist.

Now, literally DECADES later, Darren has re-emerged as an accomplished singer of sixties-era lounge pop standards, thanks to his resurrection as the holodeck character Vic Fontaine on the late, great scifi TV show, "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine."

Whereas the campy-retro-guru portrayal of the Fontaine figure on the show itself bordered at times on the absurd, there was never any question that Darren's musical performances were marvelous. The songs included in the Vic Fontaine sequences (and now on this CD) are always in danger of emerging as maudlin, plastic, and caricaturedly Sinatra-esque, but Darren manages to craft his singing so that his delivery and style are convincingly fresh and pleasant. I particularly like his renditions of "Paper Moon" and "The Way You Look Tonight," but his performances (and the accompanying musical arrangements) are delightful throughout. This cd is a must for Star Trek fans, but will be enjoyed by anyone who can appreciate the work of a fine pop vocalist.

I know that for the past 40 plus years, James Darren has been acting in feature films, TV series and is also one of TV's busiest directors. After listening to "This One's From The Heart," the question I have is... where has he been hiding his singing voice??? I knew James Darren could sing -- and well at that -- but I never expected this... His voice encompasses so many wonderful qualities of some of the greats -- the warmth and phrasing of Frank Sinatra, the charm and styling of Tony Bennett, the soul and sensitivity of Mel Torme... And considering all of the above, he has his very own style and distinctive sound. He sounds like he speaks, he sounds like the James Darren you've seen many times in films... His rendition of "Sophisticated Lady" is absolutely outstanding; "The Way You Look Tonight" is warm and beautiful; "Satin Doll" is so smooth, no one has ever done it quite like this; and "Old Black Magic" is a killer -- I could go on and on... Whatever made this recording come together, whether it be timing, planning or fate, it's what good music needs. With most of the great one's gone, it's time for new great one's, and James Darren is well on his way!!!

Just about everything Darren sang as Vic Fontaine on "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" is here, especially "All the Way", which was a favorite of the late Jadzia Dax. Darren's voice is mixed a bit brassy here, rather than the mellow tone we heard on the series. He really belts it out instead of crooning--maybe that's because the backup is big band instead of the small ensemble used on the Holodeck. If Trek fans can live with those two differences (which I can), this album is a good investment. But the thing that should draw everybody else to this effort is that (as far as I know) Darren has never before devoted so much studio time to standards. I said it before in a review of another Darren album, and I'll say it again here. If Bobby Darin was the Sinatra of my Boomer generation, James Darren was (and apparently still is) our Tony Bennett.

I was so thrilled to find out that Vic Fontaine (James Darren) actually had a CD featuring all the songs he sung on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Ever since he first appeared on that show he became my favorite supporting character. I love his smooth, mellow voice. The songs on this CD are great. I love the superb orchestration. It's a must buy. In fact, I even dedicated one of my MIDI Jukebox pages to the songs found on this CD at Wilstar.com. If you like the songs sung by the Rat Pack, you'll love this album. Darren does marvelous renditions of great songs.

Having been a fan of both big band jazz and James Darren for many years (well before Star Trek: DS9), I was delighted with this CD's content. Mr. Darren's delivery is classy, sentimental, and great for setting a romantic mood. Particular favorites are Paper Moon, The Best is Yet to Come, Old Black Magic. This CD has brought me hours of enjoyment. On an interesting side note, my 3-month-old daughter, who screams bloody murder any time she's in the car, is actually quiet and happy as long as "This One's From the Heart" is running...she's already demonstrating her exquisite taste!

I was so glad to see James Darren as a character on ST: Deep Space Nine. A heck-of-a-comeback barely describes how great he is; and this album even more. I was never sure if he had a compillation of his songs from DS9, I know I have had each of them stuck in my head at one time or another, and when I found this CD, I was elated. Especially when I received the CD and saw all of his mentions and dedication of ST: Deep Space Nine for helping him come back to the stage, both acting and singing, as he used to. This has to have been one of my best purchases for music ever.

James Darren displays the same candour and charm on "This One's From the Heart" as he did four decades ago when as a teen idol he burst onto the worldwide music and movie scene.

Deep Space Nine fans are already hooked on this album, but what James Darren's older followers are bound to appreciate is that Moondoggie is back. And what a return it is. With a familiar rasp in his voice that's pure Darren, he casts his own magnetic musical spell over "That Old Black Magic", "Here's to the Losers", "Satin Doll" and 14 other timeless classics.

But it's "The Way You Look Tonight" that's guaranteed to tug most poignantly at your heartstrings. James Darren's enchanting version is one of very few that does justice to the touching lyrics and romantic melody penned by Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields. His heartfelt rendition - not to mention an inside cover pic of the still-gorgeous Mr Darren at the microphone - transports middle-aged Gidgets like me back to a time when this man was considered the absolute ultimate.

If you're looking for a pseudo Sinatra-Bennett-Torme, forget it! This is emphatically, distinctively James Darren, one of the most beguiling performers on - and off - the planet.

James Darren proves with this CD the best is yet to come from this talented singer (and amazing actor). Mr.Darren's vocals are a mixture of Frank Sintra, Dean Martin, and Tony Bennett. It is great to hear him return to the big band roots exemplified in his first LP, James Darren #1.

He does excellent renditions of such favorites as "I've Got the World on a String" and "The Way You Look Tonight" and adds a dash of rediscovered tunes such as "Satin Doll" and "Here's to the Losers". And to top it off he is one of the nicest men I have ever met! Come sip martinis and dance in the dark at Mr. Darren's forthcoming performances in Vegas!

Bottom Line: At 63, James Darren is still one cool cat.

I bought this CD 5 days ago on itunes.com, and have not been able to stop listening to it. I have never liked old "vegas" music before, but this is amazing. His voice is very soothing, and it makes you forget about your problems. I first heard about him from Star Trek Deep Space Nine, but even if i hadn't, I would have still liked it.
My favorite songs are:
Come fly with me, That old black magic, It's only a paper moon, I've got the world on a string, you'd better love me, here's to the losers, and I'll be seeing you, but the others are very nice also.
I can't wait until he comes out to CA, so I can see him live! I would suggest this CD to all my friends!

James Darren, the charismatic singer/actor who played crooner "Vic Fontaine" in "Star Trek:DS9" here gives us a tremendous tribute to his role on the show.

Darren may not have the style of Sinatra, but he has a prescence and a savvy that is all his own. This was demonstrated in the way he played Vic, and it truly comes to life here. The songs are wonderfully melodic ditties on matters of life and love.

The show starts off with a bang with "The Best is Yet to Come" and "Come Fly With Me", sung with verve and bombast by Darren. It ends very quietly with the quieter songs "Dancing in the Dark" and "Satin Doll".

But the best songs of this CD come right in the middle. Darren engages in playful flirtiness with "I've Got You Under My Skin", warm-hearted sentiment in "The Way You Look Tonight", pity tinged with humour in the wonderful "Here's To The Losers" before giving his all in "You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You."

All in all a great CD from a great singer.