Search - Bobby Darin :: Big Sur

A revelation

Shane Brown | 09/24/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I can't say that I'm a casual Bobby Darin fan, because I'm not. And much of this CD I already own on vinyl, but to have these tracks available on CD is something very special indeed.



Darin was a chameleon, he sang jazz, swing, rock and roll, blues, country, gospel, folk, showtunes and protest. He was a gifted impressionist, a fine comedian and an Academy Award nominated actor. Not bad for somebody who died aged 37.



This CD concentrates on the material Darin recorded for his own Direction label during the years 1968-1970 (although there are a few earlier tracks scattered through the collection.) This was Darin's protest period. The music and lyrics here are highly personal and often difficult. There are highlights from the two albums, a number of previously-unavailable-on-CD single sides, and a group of previously unreleased studio and live material.



It's a shame that Varese Saraband didn't see fit to make a 2CD set featuring one CD with both the albums on and the 2nd CD featuring the remaining material. But what we have here is a revelation to those who only know Darin through Mack The Knife.



Some of the single sides are superb - Maybe We Can Get It Together is perfectly executed - although I have to admit I have no idea what "RX-Pyro" is all about! Also worthy of mention is Baby May. It is also worth mentioning that the studio of "Distractions" here is the single version rather than the album version - and they are two completely separate takes.



The two previously unreleased studio songs are a nice surprise - especially "Route 58" which is arguably the best studio recording darin made for the Direction label.



The album closes with four tracks from Darin's shows at the Troubadour when he ditched his previous night-club persona and performed only folk-rock material. Considering that we have been told over the years that this season was a flop, the audience seems particularly warm towards Darin. The version of Long Line Rider here is very exciting - and arguably better than the studio version. Simple Song Of Freedom is a very different live version than that recorded just two years later for Motown. This one is the better. Just Darin and guitar without the big production. Perfect.



This is a superb collection - it features material for the fan new to this era of Darin's career and also something for those of us who had everything that was available before. A thanks must be said to the people who made this album available. Buy this CD. It is exciting, different and challenging...and ultimately moving."

"Bobby Darin Born Walden Robert Cassotto & Commitment"

J. Lovins | Missouri-USA | 11/25/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Varese Records presents some of the best from the folk-era of a young vocalist by the name of Bobby Darin ~ the album "Songs from Big Sur ", featuring eight previusly unreleased performances...must have been a labor of love by the label...it certainly shows with all the talent that was available and at Bobby's disposal he made good use of every nook and cranny...the performances by Darin are showstoppers, remastering every track with tender loving care...several tracks "ROUTE 58"..."EVERYWHERE I GO"..."MY BABY NEEDS ME"..."I AM"..."I'M GOING TO LOVE YOU"..."CITY LIFE"..."LONG TIME MOVIN'", all previously unreleased for us collectors and "music junkies", this is a rare find.



From ballads, swingin' standards and grass root folk tunes...Bobby covered them all...each track tugs at your heartstrings, feelings are stirred when this young artist performs...when I listen to his recordings memories flow and I'm back when my children were young...life was better and the world was safer...Darin was probably one of the few entertainers that could do it all...just the way we like 'em!



Total Time: 77:40 on 22 Tracks ~ Varese Records 66566 ~ (9/14/2004)"

Dazzling Darin

William M. Polito | Lodi, New Jersey USA | 11/07/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Bobby Darin was one of the most unique multi-talented,versatile performers of all time. Songs From Big Sur contains some never released songs from 1969,when Darin played the Troubadour in LA.What caught my attention is that Darin wrote every song.Bobby was politically aware of this era.It surely showed in his voice in many of his songs,especially Simple Song of Freedom.It sent chills throughout my body.Your fingers will be snapping all through Long Time Movin. Darin's guitar and harmonica expertise is remarkable.The format of this cd,liner notes, and photos were well thought through.This cd is a must for any Darin fan. Another cd/dvd well worth looking at is Aces Back to Back. William Polito Lodi, N.J."