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Good introduction to Brenda's music

Peter Durward Harris | Leicester England | 02/21/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Brenda Lee began her career, aged just eleven, in 1956, but did not have a British hit until 1960. In total, she had twenty-two UK hits between 1960 and 1965 but she had many more than that in America. Generally, the British public seem to prefer her up-tempo rockers while the American public seem to prefer her ballads. I am an exception to the general rule, being a Brit who likes her ballads best, although I enjoy her rocking songs too.



While many classic tracks are missing (for example, I want to be wanted, Emotions, Break it to me gently), this is only a budget-priced album and it does contain all of Brenda's British top ten hits. The biggest of these, Speak to me pretty, was never released as a single in America although I can't think why - it is a great song. Brenda's other UK top ten hits were Sweet nothings, Here comes that feeling, Rocking around the Christmas tree, All alone am I and As usual.



I'm sorry, Let's jump the broomstick, Dum dum, Fool number one, It started all over again and Sweet impossible you are the other British hits included here. Several others (including I wonder and Is it true, both of which made the UK top twenty) are omitted, but Jambalaya (the song that started Brenda's career in America) is here, along with several other great tracks.



For a comprehensive collection of Brenda's hits, you should go for the double CD, Anthology. However, because it is an American compilation, it omits Speak to me pretty. As an introduction to the music of the most important female rock'n'roll singer, this is excellent.



Tracks



Sweet nothings

I'm sorry

That's all you gotta do

Dum dum

Fool number one

Rocking around the Christmas tree

All alone am I

Let's jump the broomstick

You can depend on me

Jambalaya

Speak to me pretty

Here comes that feeling

It started all over again

Dynamite

My coloring book

Heart in hand

My whole world is falling down

Sweet impossible you"

AWESOME!!!

kelley68 | 01/05/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Breanda Lee is truly one of a kind, one of the great female vocalists of our time, influencing many female vocalists of today.

Great many rarities include "My Whole World is Falling Down" and "Speak to Me Pretty"

wonderful cd, grab it if you can find it, a true gem! :)"