Customer Reviews

Ultra Lounge: Cocktails With Cole Porter

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

 

 

"Cocktails With Cole Porter" mixes some of Porter's best songs with the best jazz / lounge performers from the 40s, 50s, and 60s, creating one of THE best compilations in the entire Ultra Lounge series.

Porter's songs are timeless and easily recognizable, even for those who may have never heard of him. The entire CD is top notch including such gems as Ella Fitzgerald's "It's De-Lovely," Louis Armstrong's "High Society Calypso," and "Anything Goes" by Tony Bennett and Count Basie.

This CD is great for Porter fans as well as Ultra Lounge loyalists, and the perfect prelude to the new Cole Porter film due out in July. No doubt, a de-lovely addition to any swingin' music library.

A very good compilation, musically speaking (except for the odd inclusion of the jarring Judy Garland number). But, for fans of the Ultra Lounge series, there leaves a little bit to be desired. It's as if this CD was slapped together in haste. The overall packaging could be better, and should be better (Porter's name, afterall, is often spoken in the same breath as the words "style" and "sophistication"). Gone is the defining groovy artwork that has been synonymous with all of the other Ultra Lounge offerings. The liner notes are lacking in style and content, even leaving some artists out altogether (poor Kay Starr!). There are no bonus hidden tracks this time around, either. Come on Ultra Lounge! You used to be cool!

We love to listen to cocktail music while we are making dinner or socializing with friends, and this is a great listen. Some of the songs are so-so, but overall I would recommend it. You deserve it, the music is fun.

I bought this on a whim as I have some of the other Ultra-Lounge CDs. I thought some of the songs were a bit corny, but hey, that's what they did then. THere are some that I really liked and would love to see a current artist sing.
Overall I enjoyed hearing music from some top notch old school artist and a classic composer's music.
M

Cole Porter's lyrics and meoldies dominate the Great American Songbook. and anyone whose musical sensibilities were formed by these songs and these artists will appreciate this album. Porter's songs have the ability to be reinterpreted by each performer and these performances are mostly superb and deserve attentive listening. (Sorry about that Garland number, however). The live Stockholm recording of Fitzgerald singing Let's Do It (Let's Fall in Love) is stunning. In fact, it is jump out of your easy chair Hot Damn Great! The star roster also reminds me we had many more great female artists in the 40s, 50s, early 60s. Thirteen of the twenty tracks feature female artists. Regarding the liner notes: They are a bit sparse, especially lacking credit for the source of most of the recordings.

In my opinion, Cole Porter was the finest song writer on first half of 20th century. He melt words and music and the product is always surprising. These bunch of songs sung by the aristocracy of singers is a sure bet. All are great versions but my favourite one is True love sung by Dean Martin. I've always found this song too "full of sugar" for my taste, a pretty melody but nothing more. Mr. Martin made the miracle, the song now swings and gets rid of the amount of sugar over it, and becomes a love song with a bit of spice.
Rest of songs are second to none and had become classic covers, Nat Cole; Ella; Amstrong, and the rest know how to serve a high class cocktail full of taste. Satisfaction guaranteed.
I apologize for my english.

This is great music for the road. The songs are upbeat and the variety of artists makes it very enjoyable. These older favorites bring back great memories. It's easy to skip to the next song if you don't care for a particular song or artist. I've given this CD as gifts to family and friends.

This is a fabulous CD for Cole Porter fans! It has a mix of hip style by the best singers of American standards. Bought this for a gift since I already own it.

I am a fan of Cole Porter's music. His lyrics are clever, amusing and, at times, sublime. The man is in a class of his own. Whether sung by Frank Sinatra or Alanis Morissette, his songs elevate the performer to their level (not that Sinatra needed to be elevated). They are timeless and classic, which is illustrated pretty well in this collection. He was sometimes naughty: the double-entendres in "Always True to You in My Fashion" and "Let's Do It (Let's Fall in Love)" always make me chuckle. He was sentimental: "Ev'ry time we say goodbye / I die a little / Ev'ry time we say goodbye / I wonder why a little / Why the gods above me / Who must be in the know / Think so little of me / They allow you to go." Most of all, he epitomized urbane: "I dined at home / in Rome next to Venice / I'd climb the Alps / but the Alps are a menace." He could turn a phrase like no other. Not every song here is representative of the best Cole Porter has to offer, however. His songs have been interpreted every which way and not all are to my liking. For instance, I prefer Sinatra's slower, more soulful version of "What is This Thing Called Love" to the up-tempo one here from Kay Starr because the song is sung by someone who has had his or her heart broken. "I Happen to Like New York," although slightly amusing in its deference to Judy Garland, isn't very melodic or especially witty. Likewise, "Miss Otis Regrets" would be largely forgettable if not for Nat "King" Cole's marvelous rendering. The song, which is sort of an updated "Frankie and Johnny," allegedly stems from a line Mr. Porter overheard a waiter utter at restaurant. Additionally, the CD contains only twenty songs, which means many fantastic tunes had to be left out. Absent from this brief selection are such notables as "You're the Top," "Brush Up Your Shakespeare," "I Get a Kick Out of You," "Too Darn Hot," "Begin the Beguine" and "I Hate Men." Nonetheless, even if you thought you would never like a song by Liza Minnelli, give this CD a few spins.

I had a dinner party the other night, Cole's music was on in the background, Various singers using his words to make the night most enjoyable. What a way he had with lyrics.