When You're Smiling

Regis Philbin | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 28, 2004)
• Original Release Date: September 28, 2004
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Hollywood Records
• ASIN: B0002VL0WE
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #44,188 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

No on can accuse Regis Philbin of not having a sense of humor. Why else would the 73-year-old raconteur/talk show host kick off his CD with an arch version of Myron and Gordon's "You Make Me Feel So Young" on his first recording in over 37 years? But despite that initial eyebrow-raising rendition, his famous ribald sense of humor and sense of absurd comic timing is absent from the rest of the recording. Instead, Philbin plays it completely straight on these rather pedestrian standards, his ragged but mightily recognizable tenor--from thousands of on air duets--often strains for notes, but his delivery is sure-footed and never coy. In fact, if you don't watch yourself, you'll feel a tug at your tear ducts during his version of "Too Ra Loo Ra Loo Ral" with renowned Irish tenor Ronan Tynan. His other coupling is with wife Joy Philbin, who will surprise listeners with her nuanced and deft singing. Although he may not be the world's best singer, Philbin does have a tonality that is not unlike Bing Crosby's and his oversized, warm personality and the elegant instrumentation of his backing combo--with guest appearance by world class trumpeter Warren Vaché--seems to make everything work. --Jaan Uhelszki

Product Description

He’s one of TV’s most popular personalities, host of one of the most popular game shows in history, and a bestselling author, but what Regis Philbin has always wanted to do most is sing.

Among the songs he croons on the new disc, produced by acclaimed producer/ singer Steve Tyrell (A New Standard, Rod Stewart), is Bing’s "Pennies From Heaven," which Regis performed live on at least two memorable, life-changing occasions. Once was for his shell-shocked parents, who had traveled through a midwestern thunderstorm to visit him at his graduation from Notre Dame. They were expecting to hear about the great life plans their son, who they’d struggled to put through school, had made. He surprised them with, "what I want to do with the rest of my life –is to be a singer." Confronted with his parents’ disappointment and respectful of their sacrifices, Regis made a fateful, responsible choice – he would be a talker on television.

The second time was an impromptu performance for Bing Crosby during the legendary singer’s appearance on The Joey Bishop Show, where Philbin was the comic's sidekick. That performance led directly to his first album, a recording for Mercury Records. It gave him a taste of the music business and led to his developing a nightclub act, but the responsibility and demands of his family and career precluded further recordings. Both a favorite song and a lucky charm throughout Regis’ life, he’s included a new version of "Pennies From Heaven" on When You’re Smiling, completing the cycle.

Regis has performed his singing and comedy nightclub act through the years, initially opening for Steve and Eydie, Tony Bennett and Don Rickles, and then becoming a headliner on his own in the big rooms.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How can you NOT like Regis?, September 30, 2004

By 

R. A. Metcalf (Cape Cod) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: When You're Smiling (Audio CD)

This CD was on my doorstep when I got home from work. I popped it into my computer and I've been tappin' my toes for the past 4 hours.
Just nice - mellow - great piano and sax. Shut off your TV and listen to this... it will make you want to dance around the house. Happy music. Go Regis!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars REGIS SHINES, October 1, 2004

By 

Mom/Wife/Daughter "Regis & Kelly #1 Fan" (Rocklin, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: When You're Smiling (Audio CD)

WOW...WOW... My Mother asked me what I wanted for Christmas
(I am 46 yrs. old) and I said Regis Philbin's "new CD" she was
not so shocked because as I have always told her THIS IS REAL
MUSIC. I could not wait so I bought it the day "it dropped".
Regis you fill my heart with joy and memories of danicing with
my Dad (70 yrs. old) on top of his feet to great leagend's of
our time....and you Mr. Philbin are one of those. Thank you for
bring this CD to all that love and respect you.
P.S. My money's on you and YOU WILL make to #1 on the charts!!
Debbie from Rocklin, California USA

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful CD!, October 2, 2004

By 

Shadow (Southeast) - See all my reviews

This review is from: When You're Smiling (Audio CD)

Regis is a great vocalist. I had no idea he could sing this well. Put this CD in and sit back, you'll feel great just listening to it. Regis is a natural, wonderful phrasing and rich sounding backup musicians Why did he wait so many years to do another album. This was the music of my parent's generation, but I have always loved it. I have Rod Stewart's CD of the same type of songs, Regis is better.