Customer Reviews

Till the Night Is Gone: Tribute to Doc Pomus

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I simply want to say that, pace the Himes review above, Shawn Colvin's version of Pomus's Viva Las Vegas is far from a "misstep," but rather worth the price of the CD. I enjoy many of the other cuts too, but I could listen to that one till the night is gone, baby.

Having owned and listened to this over 10 years I can say with absolute confidence this ranks as the best tribute CD I own by a stretch. The diversity of the music on this CD is a wonderful tribute to a terrific songwriter. (PS : The headline review couldn't be more wrong about Shawn Colvin's version of Viva Las Vegas - it's a stunner).

I was referred this cd by a friend who described it just that way- the best songwriter you never heard of- the liner notes are worth the price of the cd. You can tell by the artists who performed Doc's songs how much he was respected. Shawn Colvins "viva las vegas" knocked me out.

Los Lobos bluesy "Lonely Avenue" and Bob Dylan's rocking "Boogie Woogie Country Girl" get this tribute off to a flying start. But it gets better from there. There are two standout R&B tracks: a stem-winding "Must be a Better World Somewhere" from Irma Thomas and a sophisticated "Still in Love with You" from the rarely heard Solomon Burke. Dion's "Turn Me Loose" is also very strong. B.B. King, Shawn Colvin, and Roseanne Cash also deliver some fine performances. There's really no bad track. Highly recommended.

I totally disagree with the AMAZON review of this album. The best cut on it IS "Viva Las Vegas"! That's the sole reason I bought this. Shawn has a unique voice and a distinctive sound that is very compelling. She always brings it home with her huge talent when she performs. I thoroughly enjoy her music (and I loved "The Big Lebowski"... and Jeff Bridges, as always, where this song was used. Although, a serious flub was made by not including it on the soundtrack.). She, and, of course, THE KING, are the only two singers, IMO, who do this song justice. I keep hitting the replay button. Bravo, BRAVO Shawn!!!

Enjoed every cut, except for Brian Wilson's version of "Sweets for My Sweet." 'Thought B.B. King's verion of "Blinded by Love", Los Lobos' gritty, bare "Lonely Avenue", Lou Reed's transformation of "This Magic Moment" and Colvin's subime, desperate rendition of "Viva Las Vegas" all to be awsome. Too bad Doc Pomus was never recognized by the public. Although he is in the R&R Hall Of Fame, The Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the first white guy to be honored by the R&B Foundation.

You can read the review above dissin' Shawn Colvin's version of Viva Las Vegas and walk away. Or you can trust your own ears, listen for yourself and catch her version of my personal favorite song from The Big Lebowski (it's missing from the soundtrack album, this is the ONLY copy I can find.). If you're a real Doc Pomus fan, I recommend 'Johnny Adams Sings Doc Pomus' as an addition. But don't miss this one.

"...In fact, the only misstep on the whole album is Shawn Colvin's ponderous, portentous take on "Viva Las Vegas." --Geoffrey Himes"

The only reason I'm buying this CD is Shawn Colvin's rendition of "Viva Las Vegas". This song played behind the credits of "The Big Lebowski". Miss Colvin's version isn't Elvis; she takes it slow and sexy -- very nice. T-bone Burnett was music director on the film; love his taste in music.

Shawn Colvin brings meanings and nuances out of Viva Las Vegas maybe not intend by the Doc, but this is a great version. Got a good song? Need a good singer? Call Aaron Neville. What a voice, this ranks with his work on In The Still Of The Night from the Red Hot And Blue benefit album of a few years back.
This cd tribute is uniformly good from start to finish, and it seems unfair not to mention everyone taking part, but I'll just end with a recommendation to check out John Hiatt and his most excellent band chewing their way through Mess Of The Blues.

This is a fantastic CD. Any single one of these songs would be reason enough to buy the disc; together they are a bonanza. The highlight for me is the great B.B. King's rendition of "Blinded By Love"; the depth and resonance of B.B.'s voice send chills. I've long loved Elvis Presley's recording of "Viva Las Vegas" and the ridiculous movie it came from, but I also love Shawn Colvin's version from the ridiculous Lebowski. Cesar Rosas and Los Lobos do a number on "Lonely Avenue." Dylan, John Hiatt, The Band, Doctor John; every last one is great.