SUPERB ANTHOLOGY TRIBUTE TO TALENTED AL HIBBLER
A. POLLOCK | PLYMOUTH, DEVON United Kingdom | 05/08/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Best known for his massive 1955 hit single UNCHAINED MELODY Al Hibbler (1915-2001) was a distinctive singer with a dramatic and steady vibrato which he used to great effect on a series of popular singles and albums. Blind-from-birth Hibbler was initially influenced by Crosby and Russ Columbo prior to becoming a vocal disciple with the Duke Ellington Orchestra during the Forties; learning his craft over an eight-year band-stand period, so was ready for a solo career that yielded other hits including HE and AFTER THE LIGHTS GO DOWN LOW.
Jasmine's double-CD anthology must surely be the most thorough compilation of Hibbler's work currently available and does a big favour for those wishing to have examples of a great singer at work on blues (DON'T GET AROUND MUCH ANYMORE), jazz (I'VE GOT A RIGHT TO SING THE BLUES), pop ballads (AWAY ALL BOATS), standards (I'LL NEVER SMILE AGAIN), inspirational material (HE)and Christmas songs (WHITE CHRISTMAS). All were recorded during the Fifties with PLEASE and BELIEVE IT BELOVED recorded for Mercury and the remaining fifty-three songs emanating from US Decca. These include a remake of the latter title amongst ballads that ruled the day and then disappeared into song oblivion so now surface en-masse to challenge emotions fifty years down the line. Hibbler's occasional humorous meanderings into passable Cockney accent and growling techniques for AFTER THE LIGHTS GO DOWN, BECAUSE OF YOU and WHAT WOULD PEOPLE SAY? obviously gained a positive reaction from eager record buyers whilst WHAT `TIS WHAT `TIS? `TIS SPRING is rendered as a downright novelty.
While not suggesting any cross-sharing of vocal style, I guess Al Hibbler could be grouped within the eclectic company of Billy Eckstine, Billy Daniels and Johnny Hartman who all possessed uniquely inimitable styles. Therefore this superb collection must be viewed as essential with UK-based Jasmine's excellent sound restoration allowing me to forgive the lack of chronological track order and absence of those crucial recording dates. Just concentrate on singer and his songs for great listening!
"
A superb collection
Alan Brodie | Knoxville TN | 11/26/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"WOW! This is an amazing collection. 55 tracks and everyone of them nothing short of magnificent. If you enjoy Al Hibbler's music this is an absolute must-have."
Track Listings (14) - Disc #1