"After searching through several CD stores and their computer data, I came upon the "ULTIMATE" of Bobby Darin's available CD catalog. This album is quality through and through. The selections are representative of his best work, from "Splish Splash" in the 50's to "Things" in the 60's. The recordings have been digitalized and sound super especially "Mack the Knife" (great studio big band sound) and "Dream Lover". I don't know how they do it but these recordings sound as if they were recorded last year, not 40 years ago. If you only want one Darin CD in your collection, this is the one. Check it out!!!"
A great CD
Mack_T_Knife | USA | 05/17/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Personally, I prefer Darin's Sinatra-style stuff, and this CD does have a couple of tunes in this style. Mainly, however, these songs are from his early rock period when he was a teen-idol. Very enjoyable stuff nonetheless. Excellent sound quality.
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Magnificent collection of vocal magic
John A. Kuczma | Marietta, GA USA | 05/07/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Bobby Darin was living proof that the music of two generations could be one and the same. For a singer who got his start with Big Band and his grounding in jazz, Darin was amazingly successful in the early Rock & Roll days.His big hits are all included here; "Splish, Splash", "Queen of the Hop", "Dream Lover" and "Mack the Knife" leading the way. The album includes the jazz cuts "Bill Bailey Won't You Please Come Home" and "You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby", alongwith the beautiful, Big Band standards "Things" and "Beyond the Sea."Those interested in the many influences that formed the early rock & roll movement will find this album fascinating, and Bobby Darin fans will be absolutely delighted. The Ultimate Bobby Darin is a truly outstanding production."
Great collection!
Candace Scott | Lake Arrowhead, CA, USA | 09/30/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This CD highlights the big hits of Darin, though it omits a significant number of songs which were just as good, but never made the Hit Parade. What a tragedy that Bobby Darin died so young at 37. He is under-appreciated today and dwarfed by the huge shadow cast by Frank Sinatra. Though Darin didn't have the poignant and unmatched ability of Sinatra to phrase a lyric, his uptempo songs are nearly as good as the Chairman of the Board. He is cool, hip, has fine range and has an innate jazzy feel that infuses all of his swingier songs. The musical arrangements and musicianship displayed here is also exemplary. The orchestra that backs up Darrin is fantastic.My personal favorite is "Beyond the Sea," one of the great swing pseudo-ballads of the 50's, recently resurrected as the backdrop of a TV commercial. Darrin proves he was the natural successor to Sinatra with his masterful vocal here. "Guys and Dolls" and "Down with Love" are nearly as good and showcases Darrin's talent. The best ballad is probably "Was There a Call for Me?" which reproduces the boozy hangover feeling of being dumped about as well as any song. Darrin's later work was never as hip and contemporary-sounding as the music on this disc. This is an exceptional collection with many catchy, memorable tunes, and proves beyond a doubt that Darrin was an amazing talent."
Darin is the Ultimate Singing, Crooning, Swinging Master
John A. Kuczma | 04/17/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This CD best epitomizes the varried vocalings of Bobby Darin. Rockin' and Rollin, with SPLISH SPLASH, smilin' with YOU MUST HAVE BEEN A BEAUTIFUL BABY, cryin' with ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS, or swingin' with CLEMANTINE. This is a must own for any Bobby Darin fan, and will convert Sinatra fans over to the real deal."