Customer Reviews

Vivacious One

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I bought this ablum when I was 14 years old. (Okay, I admit that I belonged to a record club and was desperate.) I wore this record out when I received it, because I enjoyed the jazz/pop arrangements and her expressive if overly overwought voice. Check out her "Begin the Beguine;" beginning with the enticing solo casanets, the song gets the full seductive treatment by Ann-Margret with her breathy rendition; Only Johnny Mathis does it as well she! Likewise, her version of "Senor Blues" (with arranger Bob Florence's help) reminds the listener of Peggy Lee's Hispanic songs. "Don't Talk About Me" shows Ann-Margret at her sassiness while "C'est Si Bon" allows Ann-Margret to show her flair for international-flavored sexiness. And who can forget her outrageous "Thirteen Men"; its campy "The-Girl-Can't- Help-It" lyrics makes the listener want to grap a comb and start pantomining! (A Bill Haley orginal, it cries for a AM or MM treatment.) Some of these cuts were included the "Let Me Entertain Me" compilation CD, but this CD is the only one (besides her boxed set) that includes her classic versions of "Begin the Beguine" and "Senor Blues." A very good CD that shows AM at her most entertaining and yes, vivacious.

The songs on the CD highlight the unique bubbly and talented voice of Miss Ann-Margret. Except for a few slow songs on the CD, Ann-Margret proves to be the one and only female Elvis! These are songs you can sing along to and will play over and over again.

If you have seen Ann-Margret recently touring with "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" you know how talented and seductive she is now, but have you heard her all of those years ago? The great songs mixed with her sweet, youthful voice make this album definetly one that you will play when hosting your next cocktail party or just driving along on the highway. She truly was, and is, The Vivacious One.

It always comes as a surprise to me when I read that Ann-Margret was actually very insecure in the recording booth--so shy, she was seemingly unaware of her own charms. They are in evidence throughout this release, originally on RCA Records with that great cover collage! A-M is all fiery business on "There'll Be Some Changes Made", has a country twang on "Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone" and "I Was Only Kidding", and purrs forcefully on "Make Love to Me and "Tell Me, Tell Me". She is in jaunty spirits on "C'est Si Bon", "Rock and Roll Waltz" and the jolly, tongue-in-cheek "Inka Dinka Doo" (inspired perhaps by her early Vegas beginnings as George Burns' protege), but it's the sinfully cinematic camp of "Thirteen Men" that was the big chart-miss on this release (it wasn't released as a single, but should've been!). If you have the Bear Family box-set or the compilation "Let Me Entertain You", you've got most of the musical delights here, but it's still a nice package to have.

Probably Ann-Margret's best album from the sixties, she covers these standards like the pro she is! Definatly a must have!