Customer Reviews

You Were Only Fooling/Country Love Songs

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4 star:		(1)
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Vic Damone signed with Warner Brothers Records in 1965 and stayed with the label little more than a year, releasing these two albums. The first, "You Were Only Fooling", was released on the heels of the single which was a moderate hit for him. It was meant to usher in his "new sound." So, instead of the traditional orchestra, Vic is backed by one with brass, twangy guitars, and lots of percussion, conducted by Ernie Freeman. He sings updated (and up tempo) versions of the title song and other standards like "Why Don't You Believe Me" and "Please Help Me I'm Falling" and covers of Top 40 hits at the time, "I'll Never Find Another You" "It's Not Unusual" and "Dream on Little Dreamer." The second album, "Country Love Songs" finds Vic crooning ten country ballards, "Bouquet of Roses" "Room Full of Roses" "You Win Again" "Faded Love", you'll likely recognize them all. He's backed by a string orchestra, sometimes a choral group, arranged and conducted by Bill Justis. The result is a mellow sounding, romantic album. Vic Damone parted with the label the following year, in 1966, and signed with RCA Victor, where he worked with arrangers and recorded material far better suited to his style. Nevertheless, I've always enjoyed his WB records, even though some of them were a departure from his traditional sound.

This is a very different Vic Damone, in fact each separate album is very different and, therefore, quite intriguing.

"You Were Only Fooling" has arrangements by Dean Martin's very popular arranger Ernie Freeman ("Everybody Loves Somebody", for example). The title cut and several others display the power of Vic's voice...although I always had the sense this wasn't a sound he really liked. But the updated country-western nature of most of the songs are quite pleasant.

"Country Love Songs" is very different. For me, Vic has never released better material. The arrangements are very nicely restrained, with beautiful strings that don't overpower the singer. Rather than the powerful Vic on the other album, this is a softer, perfect voice with perfect enunciation. A+!

This is an outstanding Vic Damone CD; it has all of the songs from two of his records on the Warner Brothers label entitled "You Were Only Fooling" conducted by Ernie Freeman and "Country Love Songs" with numbers conducted by Bill Justis. Vic's voice sounds just great on this twofer CD; and you can tell he throws himself into each and every ballad to make it shine. The quality of the sound on this CD is very good; and I like the artwork as well.

The CD starts with Vic crooning the title song of the first album, "You Were Only Fooling." Vic delivers this with panache and it's very impressive. The lush musical arrangement is very well done and the backup singers harmonize to perfection--not that Vic really needed backup but they do sound pretty good anyway. "I'll Never Find Another You" is terrific in Vic Damone's capable hands; he handles this like the pro he was and always will remain! The percussion is used to great advantage in the arrangement. "The Thrill of Lovin' You" is a major highlight of this album; the music fits perfectly with Vic's vocals but wisely the musicians never try to steal the show away from Vic--he's squarely front and center which is right where he belongs! "For Mama" is very well done; and listen for "It's Not Unusual" which Vic handles wonderfully. I love it.

"Why Don't You Believe Me" charms me with its natural beauty; Vic sings this without ever letting go of a single superfluous note! "Why Don't You Believe Me" has backup singers and the music is beautiful, too. "Please Help Me I'm Falling" is something I could never tire of when Vic performs it; and there's yet another gem in "Careless Hands." "Dream on Little Dreamer" is quite good, too.

"Someday" has a stunning country flavor to it; this number from "Country Love Songs" really glows when Vic sings it faultlessly. "Together Again" uses the strings very well; and the backup vocalists again harmonize to perfection--and beyond! Vic's excellent diction enhances his performance all the more; and that's grand. "I Really Don't Want to Know" is most poignant; and I also love "You Don't Know Me." Vic croons "You Don't Know Me" with such passion and sensitivity that it's easily another big, big, highlight of this CD.

"Bouquet of Roses" has Vic outdoing even himself--this music is all THAT good. "Crazy" gets the royal treatment from Vic; and the CD ends very well with Vic Damone performing "You Win Again." "You Win Again" has another rather lush arrangement and it all holds its own very well.

Vic Damone fans should get this for their collections; and people who like classic pop and country vocals will be thrilled with this album. Bravo, Vic Damone!