Unchained Melody [ORIGINAL RECORDINGS REMASTERED] 2CD SET [Import]

Al Hibbler | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 14, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Import
• Label: Jasmine Music
• ASIN: B001W9V0R0
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #67,143 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #18 in Music > Blues > Regional Blues > New York Blues

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Unchained Melody

2. Don't Get Around Much Anymore

3. The Crying Wind

4. I'm Glad I'm Not Young Anymore

5. Eleventh-Hour Melody

6. He Is There

7. Away All Boats

8. All Or Nothing At All

9. I Complain

10. Breeze (Blow My Baby Back To Me)

See all 28 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. He

2. I'll Never Smile Again

3. The Town Crier

4. Trees

5. Worried Over You

6. Daybreak

7. I Can't Put My Arms Around A Memory

8. Never Turn Back

9. I Was Telling Her About You

10. Please

See all 27 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Al Hibbler was one of America's great jazz singers to emerge from Duke Ellington's band and on this new 2CD set from Jasmine he is surrounded by some of the finest instrumentalists of the '50s including Jack Pleis, Neil Hefti, and The Ray Charles Singers. All of his Decca singles are included, many of which debuting on CD, plus many fine standards such as, 'All Or Nothing At All', 'I'll Never Smile Again' and more! Plus his million sellers 'Unchained Melody' and 'He'. This is the most comprehensive set to date of Al Hibbler's output during the 1950s. See also: JASCD605 - Starring Al Hibbler / Here s Hibbler

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SUPERB ANTHOLOGY TRIBUTE TO TALENTED AL HIBBLER, May 8, 2009

By 

A. POLLOCK (PLYMOUTH, DEVON United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Unchained Melody [ORIGINAL RECORDINGS REMASTERED] 2CD SET (Audio CD)

Best known for his massive 1955 hit single UNCHAINED MELODY Al Hibbler (1915-2001) was a distinctive singer with a dramatic and steady vibrato which he used to great effect on a series of popular singles and albums. Blind-from-birth Hibbler was initially influenced by Crosby and Russ Columbo prior to becoming a vocal disciple with the Duke Ellington Orchestra during the Forties; learning his craft over an eight-year band-stand period, so was ready for a solo career that yielded other hits including HE and AFTER THE LIGHTS GO DOWN LOW.

Jasmine's double-CD anthology must surely be the most thorough compilation of Hibbler's work currently available and does a big favour for those wishing to have examples of a great singer at work on blues (DON'T GET AROUND MUCH ANYMORE), jazz (I'VE GOT A RIGHT TO SING THE BLUES), pop ballads (AWAY ALL BOATS), standards (I'LL NEVER SMILE AGAIN), inspirational material (HE)and Christmas songs (WHITE CHRISTMAS). All were recorded during the Fifties with PLEASE and BELIEVE IT BELOVED recorded for Mercury and the remaining fifty-three songs emanating from US Decca. These include a remake of the latter title amongst ballads that ruled the day and then disappeared into song oblivion so now surface en-masse to challenge emotions fifty years down the line. Hibbler's occasional humorous meanderings into passable Cockney accent and growling techniques for AFTER THE LIGHTS GO DOWN, BECAUSE OF YOU and WHAT WOULD PEOPLE SAY? obviously gained a positive reaction from eager record buyers whilst WHAT `TIS WHAT `TIS? `TIS SPRING is rendered as a downright novelty.

While not suggesting any cross-sharing of vocal style, I guess Al Hibbler could be grouped within the eclectic company of Billy Eckstine, Billy Daniels and Johnny Hartman who all possessed uniquely inimitable styles. Therefore this superb collection must be viewed as essential with UK-based Jasmine's excellent sound restoration allowing me to forgive the lack of chronological track order and absence of those crucial recording dates. Just concentrate on singer and his songs for great listening!

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A superb collection, November 25, 2009

By 

Alan Brodie (Knoxville TN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Unchained Melody [ORIGINAL RECORDINGS REMASTERED] 2CD SET (Audio CD)

WOW! This is an amazing collection. 55 tracks and everyone of them nothing short of magnificent. If you enjoy Al Hibbler's music this is an absolute must-have.

2 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unchained Melody by Al Hibler, September 18, 2009

By 

Fig Newton (Texas) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Unchained Melody [ORIGINAL RECORDINGS REMASTERED] 2CD SET (Audio CD)

Have not heard this version since high school days. I loved it then and love it now. Very glad to have it in my collection
Robert