Search - Eileen Rodgers :: The Best of Eileen Rodgers

The Forgotten Lady Of The 1950s

08/26/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When the subject of single female vocalists from the dawn of the R&R era crops up the names you hear at once are Connie Francis, Brenda Lee, LaVern Baker, Etta James, Dinah Washington, and Ruth Brown. After some further thought the likes of Joni James, Jaye P. Morgan, Gale Storm, Gogi Grant, and Jane Morgan are sure to arise.



Pressed to continue, some will surely mention Doris Day, Patti Page, Kay Starr, Peggy Lee, Rosemary Clooney, Georgia Gibbs, Dinah Shore, Jo Stafford, Teresa Brewer, and Sarah Vaughan, each of whom continued their previous late 40s/early 50s successes well into the birth of the R&R era.



Seldom, if ever, will the name Eileen Rodgers surface, And that is a shame because this husky-voiced chanteuse certainly deserves a prominent place in that grouping.



After spending 1954 to 1956 as the featured vocalist with the Charlie Spivak band, Eileen went solo and scored at once for Columbia with Miracle of Love [# 18 Billboard Pop Top 100 b/w Unwanted Heart] in October 1956. However, her next four hits didn't fare quite as well: Give Me - # 61 in January 1957 b/w I Wish I Didn't Have To Dream So Far; The Wall - # 62 in April 1957 b/w This Day; Don't Call Me Sweetie (Cause I'm Bitter) - # 83 in June 1957 b/w Everything But Love; and Third Finger - Left Hand - # 82 in September 1957 b/w Crazy Dream).



With the exception of The Wall, where she was supported by Jimmy Carroll & His Orchestra, her first hits were all backed by Ray Conniff & His Orchestra and Chorus.



Her last hit, which came in the fall of 1958, was her second best, with Treasure Of Your Love reaching # 26 on the newly-named Billboard Pop Hot 100 b/w A Little Bit Bluer. Here they also provide three B-sides, I Wish I Didn't Have To Dream So Far and This Day, and Crazy Dream. Rounding out a nice package are two pages of informative liner notes written by Joseph F. Laredo and a discography of the contents."

Treasure of Your Love

C. Wilson | SCAPPOOSE, OR USA | 01/07/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Treasure of Your Love was one of the very first 45's I remember my mom

having. It has been a life long favorite of mine,and am thrilled to get this cd for my birthday.



It is fabulous !!

It is so rare to see anything by Eileen Rodgers.

I just turned 59 and still have this tune in my head from childhood.



The entire album has great sound and selection.

I got the Blue Swing album also,very,very good also !

Thank you Susan for this great set.



The Big Hurt by Toni Fisher and Treasure of Your Love by Eileen were my

favorite childhood songs.

"