Alice Faye records her one and only album
Paul A. Tassone | Glenwood, NSW , Australia | 08/03/2006
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Alice Faye was one of Hollywood's most popular musical actresses in the 1930's and 1940's. However, at the height of her popularity she chose to walk away from her career to concentrate on her home life, leaving behind a glittering movie career and the battles that brought with it with studio boss Daryl F Zanuck. In 1962, she returned to films in the musical remake of "State Fair" and around that time recorded this, her only album, for pal Frank Sinatra's Reprise Records label.
The album features the mature Alice singing new versions of songs she performed in her films including her signature song, "You'll Never Know", the Oscar winning best song of 1943. She also includes "Never Say No" from "State Fair." The album was orchestrated by Neil Hefty, a popular arranger at the time whose work is heard on Sinatra's album "Sinatra And Swingin' Brass".
The Faye voice of 1962 is as deep and burnished as ever though it must be admitted that some of the finesse is missing after so many years away from the spotlight. Also, the choice of songs is a bit disappointing. Rather than featuring all songs especially written for her (remembering that she had some of the finest tunesmiths composing for her films including the likes of Irving Berlin), some of the material here are tried and true standards that any number of singers have performed and are not especially remembered for the Faye versions (for example "On Moonlight Bay.") Despite this, it is a good album. One only regrets that Alice didn't record more often and was not given the chance to record some contemporary material around this time. Imagine what she might have done with "Moon River", "Call Me Irresponsible" and other Oscar winning songs of the period.
In all, this is a nice memento of a great film career and for Alice Faye fans it is a must."
Pleasant nostalgia
Douglas M | 09/17/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Alice Faye was a fine singer who appeared in films from 1934 to 1945. She made only a dozen or so commercial recordings in the period 1933 to 1937. In 1962, she returned for one film, the dreary remake of "State Fair". At the same time, she recorded these tracks. The recordings were re-issued on LP in the early 70s when she appeared across America in the musical play "Good News" and now they they have made it to CD.
Alice's voice is as deep as ever but not as smooth as at the height of her film career. The arrangements have a gentle swing feel and the CD defines "Easy Listening"."
Alice Faye swings on her 1962 Neal Hefti platter
Byron Kolln | the corner where Broadway meets Hollywood | 03/05/2010
(3 out of 5 stars)
"The undisputed leading lady of the Fox musicals of the 1930's and early 40's, Alice Faye charmed audiences with her husky singing voice and beauty--which was a perfect combination of the sexy blonde bombshell and the innocent girl-next-door. In 1945, to the horror of producer Darryl Zanuck, Faye walked away from Hollywood to concentrate on raising her young family with husband Phil Harris. Content out of the spotlight, it took a lot of coaxing for Faye to break her retirement; though she finally re-emerged in 1962, taking the role of Melissa in Fox's splashy widescreen remake of "State Fair". Her screen comeback was short-lived, however, and Faye soon retreated once more from active service in Hollywood.
To capatalise on her comeback in "State Fair", musical arranger Neal Hefti quickly assembled this breezy album, showcasing Faye performing her classic movie hits but in a new, swingin' pop setting. "Never Say No" was Faye's big musical number from "State Fair" and she performs it winningly as the album's one concession to the "moderne", though the song itself isn't one of the best to ever spill from composer Richard Rodger's otherwise brilliant musical pen.
Faye is much more at home with her trademark "No Love, No Nothin'" (tied up in a clever medley with "You'll Never Know"); not to mention "Rose of Washington Square", "Never in a Million Years", "You Can't Have Everything", et al.
Collector's Choice has faithfully reissued the original 1962 album (ten tracks and around 25 minutes' worth of music) but some effort could have been made to include some bonus tracks, as surely this is a waste of valuable disc space?
For Alice Faye's legions of fans, this is essential. [Collector's Choice CCM-388-2]"
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1