Search - Connie Francis :: Rocksides

One Of The Best!!!!

Carl J. Freda | USA | 04/16/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is one special compilation. Unique and quite daring on Polydor's part. (What happened Polydor????) There are many unreleased and alternate tracks. This CD is quite special. If you're a Connie fan and you don't have this. Get it!! Considering when it was released the sound quality is quite superior. You won't be disappointed. I promise!!"

Connie as the original Rock'n'Roll Queen?

Mark D. Prouse | Riverdale (Bronx), NY | 10/19/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"There were other wonderful women pacing the rock'n'roll stage in those days, and before (Ruth Brown, Brenda Lee, Wanda Jackson), but during Connie's brief reign as Queen of Rock'n'Roll, she outsold them all, worldwide. This CD shows why. I used to have this particular collection on cassette, but gave it away or sold it. When CD's replaced vinyl and cassettes, I wanted this to see a digital release. I waited so long that I finally gave up. Turns out, it had already been released (available only briefly, I've heard), and I had missed it. I am SO glad I finally got my hands on a copy of the CD, thanks to an Amazon third-party seller.



Now, I have most of these songs on Connie's lavish, 4-CD boxed set, SOUVENIR, but I remember being a tad disappointed that it did not include "My Best Friend Barbara." Another song here that was not selected for the boxed set is "He's Just A Scientist," a hilarious little novelty tune that I'm wondering, was it made for a movie?



What SOUVENIR showed was that Connie Francis could sing anything: country, pop, Italian ballads, rockabilly, standards and show tunes. What ROCKSIDES shows is the swingin' side of Connie. There are some fine ballads here ("Happy Days And Lonely Nights," "No One"), but most of this sparkling set is upbeat and playful.



Vocally, Connie had a tendancy to whine, and I enjoy her most in mixes or short sets. She's a brew for sipping, rather than slamming down by the jug. That having been said, I can listen to this set (originally a double-length cassette) all the way through without getting bored (I'd only skip two or three of the songs).



Now, one could be forgiven for thinking that Connie's music lacked substance, and that her style was more melodramatic than soulful; her kind could not last in the tumult that was the late '60's. However, I don't think anyone who listens to these recordings carefully would be able to argue with any real conviction that Connie could not sing. She may have failed to keep up with the times, but there were a few short years when few others could compete with her string of smash hits. Because this collection passes over most of Connie's biggest commercial successes (just about all of which have been constantly available on several different anthologies), in favor of lesser-known, minor hits, b-sides and rarities, I can recommend this to anyone who likes Connie but only has one hits CD, because the music here is at least as entertaining as her more well-known material. This is the reason it's worth hunting for this CD; there was more than one Connie, and when she wore her rock hat, even when playing the victim, she played from strength. In "Eighteen," "(He's My) Dreamboat," "Gonna Git That Man," "Look At Him," and "Don't Ever Leave Me," she may be swooning or crying, but either way, her singing betrays a huge self confidence that says, "listen to me, I know how you feel." When Connie's having fun ("Robot Man," "Hollywood") or engaging in girl-boy talk ("Whatever Happened To Rosemarie," the aforementioned "My Best Friend Barbara," "Someone Else's Boy"), I find myself smiling and tapping my toes. Along with the fun, there is great sincerity in the singing of Ms. Francis, even if she lacks gravitas.



This is a delightful little confection from a more innocent time that should please both long-time fans and the casual listener. And yes, Connie could rock!"

Wonderful collection

Satisfied Lone Wolf | Timonium, MD | 05/16/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a fantastic record of lots of unreleased material of Connie, a woman who should be in the rock and roll hall of fame. These recordings are fun, and some of them should have been hits. "Don't Ever Leave Me" has always been one of my favorites and it is great to have "Robot Man" on cd, a hit in the UK but not in the USA for Connie. Jamie Horton covered it fairly well."Whaever happened to Rosemarie" and "Waiting for You" are great. It is a shame that this one is now out of print. This is Connie at her best light hearted singing. She was so versatile she could have sung the phone book. Still waiting for the release of my favorite Connie album of supper club songs called "A New Kind of Connie""