Customer Reviews

You Ain't Heard Nothin: Jolie's Finest Columbia

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This CD is great for the music historian. It features selections from the World's Greatest Entertainer from 1913 through the early 30's.

This CD is well remastered, but even modern technology can only do so much. The songs recorded before 1925 were sung into a horn to cut the record, so even with the best technology, it sounds like you are hearing Jolson through a garden hose or tunnel. The selections done with the use of a microphone (1925 and after) sound quite a bit better.

Fans who want to get as much of Jolson as they can to complete their collection will definitely want this one; folks who want to hear clean, clear, and potent Jolson would do better to buy CD's based on his recordings from the 40's (Best of the Decca Years, or Jolson Live, for example).

The first time I heard an old Al Jolson record, I thought "who the hell is that?". I heard several layers of manic melodrama going on in his performance, along with strange parodies of foreign accents, and a whole kitchen sinkload of weirdness too subtle to describe. These performances are from that era and have those qualities.

The acoustic horn's narrow dynamic range enhances everything I love about these recordings. Sometimes it's as if you're listening to a crazed puppet or ventriloquist's dummy who wants you to adopt him, and who also happens to sing very well!

This is very entertaining stuff, totally different from later recordings where he is backed by a swing-era big band. If you want high fidelity, look elsewhere. It's pretty much irrelevant to what is appealing about these recordings (they're OLD recordings....got that?) They will add atmosphere and meaning to your life.

Many of the songs, once they're stuck in your mind, will be hard to dislodge. The term is "ear worm" and this disc is full of them. They are a fine antidote to the bland overproduced fodder that fills the airwaves today.

I grew up with an older generation that idolized Jolson. By the time I reached adolescence, Jolson was easy to imitate and mock. His sentimental songs were remembered while his jazz singing was forgotten. When I finally began to collect music from the twenties, Jolson's jazz age recordings were a revelation. Jolson understood jazz singing and he had the spirit of it down perfectly. Forget the later Jolson when he bascially phoned in his performances. Check out young, lean, hungry, and jazz Jolson. He was good.

This 24 track collection works wonders in restoring the sound and recovering the mystery of Al Jolson. The Art Deco Series includes detailed annotations, in this case by Herbert Goldman and Will Friedwald, that gloss each track and enrich listening. Great music ought to be atemporal, but a little written guidance does help. Tracks run from 1913 to 1932. Always historically interesting, this collection also has at least a handful of great tunes.

You Ain't Heard Nothin' Yet: Jolie's Finest Columbia Recordings has quite a few very well done songs performed by the immortal Al Jolson when he was recording on the Columbia Records label. The quality of the sound could be better; but these are primarily acoustic recordings that were made well before electric recordings were even an option. Al Jolson was immensely popular because of the energetic POW that he put into everything he sang; and when you hear these songs you'll hear that POW, too! The artwork for this CD is very nice despite it being somewhat standard for this CD series.

The CD opens with "That Little German Band (Al Jolson's La-La Song)." This tune has Jolson singing very well earlier on in his recording career. Al never hits an off note and that's impressive. The flute is well used in the musical arrangement, too. "Back To The Carolina You Love" may have some embarrassingly dated lyrics but it has a fine arrangement anyway; and I really like "Sister Susie's Sewing Shirts For Soldiers." "Sister Susie's Sewing Shirts For Soldiers" features Al Jolson handling tempo and key changes very well--he never falters. Great! "Down Where The Swanee River Flows" has a very pretty melody; and Al Jolson delivers this with all the panache of a most accomplished performer.

"Tell That To The Marines" gets a very spirited melody and the bugle enhances the arrangement; but wisely the musicians never steal the show away from Jolson. Jolson remains squarely in the spotlight--right where he belonged and still belongs! Listen also for "On The Road To Calais;" this ballad is nicely done and Al bats this straight out of the ballpark! We also get an early rendition of "Swanee." "Swanee" also has embarrassingly dated lyrics; but it was a hit for Jolson at the time.

"Avalon" is a major highlight of this CD; Al Jolson never skips a beat and the melody is pretty and strong at once. "Avalon" is sure to please you if you like music from the early part of the twentieth century. In addition, "O-HI-O (O-MY!-O!)" has quite a lively arrangement. Al delivers this "O-HI-O (O-MY!-O!)" like the champ he always was! I also like the classic "April Showers;" I think it's extremely sweet and pretty. "Toot, Toot, Tootsie! (Goo'bye)" shines like silver and gold combined with Al Jolson sings it to perfection--and beyond! I love it.

"Hallelujah, I'm A Bum" comes from the movie of the same name; and the sound quality on this track is much improved. Al's excellent diction makes this tune even better; and there's yet another gem in "You Are Too Beautiful." The CD ends strong with Al Jolson performing "Rock-A-Bye Your Baby With A Dixie Melody." Again, some lyrics may be dated; but the music for this song is easy on the ear despite a few words that wouldn't be acceptable today.

Overall, this is a strong Al Jolson CD and no Jolson fan can afford to be without this one for their collections. This CD is also great for anyone who enjoys music from the earlier decades of the twentieth century.

In this wonderful album, singing legend Al Jolson asks that musical question, Where Did Robinson Crusoe Go With Friday On Saturday Night? Seriously, Al Jolson was rarely serious, but this album is a serious work of art!

It's easy to see why Jolson is considered a legend, his music is excellent, and this album really shows off his talent. All of the songs are quite excellent - some are serious, but most are humorous, and all of them are quite pleasant to listen to. I really liked Where Did Robinson Crusoe Go With Friday On Saturday Night?, of course, and That Little German Band, and Sister Susie's Sewing Shirts For Soldiers, and all of the tracks.

This is a great album, one that you can use to reintroduce yourself to a nearly forgotten legend!