One of America's Best Crooners
J. Kirk | Manasquan, NJ USA | 05/12/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Alan Dale had a beautifully mellow voice which is nicely showcased on this album. He was so talented. We would be very interested in any other collection of his. We know he was a band singer with Carmen Cavallero's Orchestra for a while. Are there any recordings from that era?"
THE PRINCE OF THE BARITONES DOES GOOD !!!
Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 04/02/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Sweet & Gentle Crooner is an Alan Dale CD that nicely complements the album entitled Alan Dale Sings. We get a few of his earlier radio recordings on this CD; and so it has value for people who love this crooner--and for people just discovering Alan as well. The quality of the sound is really pretty good considering that the first eight of these songs were recorded in the 1940s; and I like that artwork as well.
"Only Another Boy And Girl" starts the album off very nicely; this radio recording showcases Alan front and center. Alan was already showing that he was a true-blue crooner who could compete with the best of them--and win! No wonder he was a big hit with the listeners. "(All Of A Sudden) My Heart Sings" has a dramatic musical flourish at the very beginning; and although they could have toned down the music somewhat this number is still very memorable. In addition, I really like "(I Walked In) With My Eyes Wide Open;" this lush ballad has Alan singing his heart out; he wears his heart on his sleeve and just one listen proves it.
"My Dreams Are Getting Better All The Time" gets the royal treatment from Alan Dale and those musicians; this is a lovely highlight of the album and I think you'll like it very much. Alan's excellent diction enhances his performance all the more. "There I've Said It Again" may not be on the Amazon webpage for this product; but it IS on this album. Alan massages the lyrics to this classic pop tune to make it shine bright! Listen also for "Come Rain Or Come Shine;" this track sounds as if it was recorded in a studio rather than being broadcast on the radio. Alan uses his incredible sense of timing to put his own stamp on this ballad and it holds its own very well--Alan's rendition is very passionate, too. Of course, "I'm A Fool To Want You" is a torchy bluesy song that many singers have performed; but Alan's rendition easily ranks very high in my book. Alan delivers this with so much feeling and sensitivity that I'm completely amazed.
"It's A Lonesome Old Town (When You're Not Around)" has a full and beautiful arrangement with Alan singing more toward the lower end of his vocal range; and "Lulu's Back In Town" is another great tune that's all in good fun. In addition, "Night And Day" is a stunner in Alan Dale's capable hands. We get an alternate version of "I'm A Fool To Want You;" and then the CD closes with Alan Dale performing "Just In Time." "Just In Time" gets a spirited treatment; it leaves me wanting so much more!
Alan Dale truly was one of the best; and it's a total shame that he didn't get more time in the spotlight. This CD certainly shows how powerful an entertainer he was; and Alan's fans would do well to get this album. It's also a great CD for people who love classic pop vocals.
In addition, I am adding here the correct order of the tracks on this album. Amazon made a mistake or two.
1) Only Another Boy And Girl
2) (All Of A Sudden) My Heart Sings
3) Any Day Now
4) The Story Of Two Cigarettes
5) (I Walked In) With My Eyes Wide Open
6) My Dreams Are Getting Better All The Time
7) If I Loved You
8) There! I've Said It Again
9) Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams(and Dream Your Troubles Away)
10) Come Rain Or Come Shine
11) Cherry Pink And Apple Blossom White
12) I'm A Fool To Want You
13) Manhattan
14) It's A Lonesome Old Town (When You're Not Around)
15) Lulu's Back In Town
16) Sweet And Gentle
17) But Beautiful
18) Night And Day
19) I'm A Fool To Want You (alternate version)
20) Just In Time
"
Nice tribute to nearly-forgotten crooner
Thomas Bumbera | Maplewood, NJ USA | 03/21/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Alan Dale began as a big-band boy singer with an above-average voice, beholden to the influence of Sinatra as all boy singers of that era were, and the first several tracks on this compilation (recorded when he was all of 19!) show him to be competent but not terribly compelling (not unlike the generic big band of George Paxton that accompanies him). By the late 50s, however, he had developed his own style, closer to that of Russ Columbo and Perry Como than to Sinatra, and this period is documented by recordings he made for some of the many US Govt.-sponsored public service shows that proliferated at the time. Those recordings are the reason to buy this disc. Dale at this point (around 1960) was among the very best pop singers of his day. His amazing range and breath control are a marvel, and he had learned how to sensitively interpret a lyric, yet his recording career was all but over by this point, and we are fortunate that the shows included here were preserved. Alan's Coral Records masters from '52-'57, owned now by the huge rap-oriented Universal Music combine, are rotting as we speak and probably will never see legit reissue (thanks to Sepia for the excellent "Alan Dale Sings" CD including the best of his Coral period), so grab this chance to "discover" a star who, for various reasons, never received the acclaim that he deserved (his chart career having peaked in 1955). Then you might wish to seek out his vinyl recordings, particularly the absolutely gorgeous "Alan Dale Sings American Hits in Italian," issued by United Artists records in 1960. I believe EMI holds the rights to the UA masters.... what a lovely reissue that would make (don't hold your breath; good luck finding the album!)."
Track Listings (20) - Disc #1