Customer Reviews

Who's Sorry Now: Hits Collection

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

 

 

This is a brilliant CD from Connie Francis. Every song is a blast from the past and as they were recorded years ago. With so many of Connies CD on sale it was not easy to know which one I would enjoy as I wanted the songs to be as she had recored them all that time ago,however I chose this one and I am very pleased with it. A must for all Connie Francis fans.

*****UPDATE***** I noticed today (08/26/11) that the artwork has changed for this listing. A 3-disc set (apparently German) is now being shown. I know nothing of this set. My review is for a single-disc set called WHO'S SORRY NOW: THE HITS COLLECTION released in 1997 on the Spectrum Music label (PolyGram). My original review follows.


i hesitated for a good while before purchasing this particular hits collection because, as i learned the hard way, there are quite a few hits collections by various artists that are not what they appear to be. in this case i had purchased another connie francis greatest hits package several months ago. much to my disappointment the songs were not the original recordings--ms. francis had gone back into the studio and re-recorded the songs. not to say that she and the producers didn't do a great job. the new recordings were quite good and connie's voice is still remarkable. but i grew up in the 50s and 60s and used to hear these songs on the radio so, naturally, i wanted to hear the songs just as i remembered them.

well, this collection delivers! the songs ARE the originals and the remastering is great. i now no longer have to look for another connie francis hits collection. i would have given the rating a full five stars, but i am giving it 4.5 because there is still room on the CD for a few more songs from her extensive catalog. otherwise a great listening experience.

According to a music selling magazine this CD is #24 in their top 40 best selling CDs--and they offer thousands of CDs for sale. Quite an accomplishment. This is due in part that not all the songs are Connie's standard hits but various tunes she recorded over a decade and a half including a sophisticated "Walk On By" brilliantly performed. There are other suprises for those who are not terribly familiar with the availability of her catalogue. This is a nice UK entry. Clean sounding with a nicely chosen selection of songs. It's quite evident that the UK still holds Ms. Francis in high regard as do other forgeign lands. Now if her own country had the same respect, we might see some nice CD releases here.

I stand apart from no one in my admiration for Connie Francis. Indeed, I have made a claim in several locations for her recognition by the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. But when you look at the title of the album, you also have to take careful notice of the source - Polygram U.K. Because, the fact is, a full seven of the 20 tracks were not "hits" in North America in the strictest sense of the word, i.e., making the Billboard Pop Hot 100, or any among the R&B, Country and Adult Contemporary charts.

For example, I know that You Always Hurt The One You Love was issued in the U.K. on MGM 998 in March 1958 and reached # 13, and Valentino on MGM 1060 in early 1960, peaking at # 27, and this may also apply to the following, but they were never hits here: Singing The Blues; Bye Bye Love; Your Cheatin' Heart; I Can't Stop Loving You; and Walk On By.

The remaining 13 were, however, among her huge hits on this side of the Atlantic - of which she had some 64 from 1957 to 1983 - and if you are a Connie Francis fan living in North America and care not about the strictest definition of "hit," then you will love this album and its clean sound.

If, however, you want the best possible collection of her hits over here, then I would recommend the box set titled Souvenirs.