Search - Ethel Merman :: Merman Sings Merman / Ethel's Ridin High

Lots of Great Ethel Vocals

T. Kahler | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 09/19/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"What a treat to hear this CD, which is a combination of two studio albums the clarion-voiced Ms. M released in the early 1970's. The stereo sound is fantastic, and the orchestrations provide a high-energy, brassy background against which this Broadway legend's trademark vocals positively soar.



Standout selections are a wild and raucous "You're The Top", an incredible "It's Delovely" and the lesser known but comedic and dramatic story-song "Eadie Was A Lady".



While listening to this collection (and especially, less successful tracks such as "Whispering", "On A Clear Day") one can't help think that this album was recorded not a moment too soon. By the beginning of the 1970's, the almighty Merman's voice, known for both its power and control, was beginning to show the unavoidable signs of age and wear-and-tear. After all, this remarkable instrument, first called to duty in 1930, had been in constant demand for over forty years!



In these recordings, the dynamic power and range of this musical miracle of nature are undiminshed by time. However, the "Merm's" vocal control had lessened by this time, and her sometimes vibrato laden delivery, especially apparent on the down tempo numbers, is distracting and prevents this otherwise excellent performance from earning a full five star rating.



Caveats aside, this collection is a must-have addition for Merman fans everywhere. Those music fans who are new to Ethel's charms should also check out the original Broadway cast album from her greatest show "Gypsy". That album, recorded just a little over a decade before this collection, reveals Ethel at the peak of her powers.

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NOTHING CAN STOP THE GREAT MERMAN!!!

Bradly Briggs | TOLUCA LAKE, CALIFORNIA | 08/29/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ethel Merman was a larger than life great singer/entertainer who was a classic live in concert and I was fortunate to be able to experience Merman's concerts a number of times in the 70's when these great albums were recorded!!! Merman is captured in peak form on these two great albums and never were any of her other recordings quite as thrilling as these are!! Great arrangements with full lively orchestrations that match her power also let her softer shadings come through such as a beautiful "I Got Lost In His Arms" and the gorgeous and touching "Sunrise,Sunset". "Everything's Comming Up Roses" and "Blow Gabriel, Blow" are like a wild ride on a roller coaster that you will want to get back on as soon as its over!!! These are thrilling and great performances and are two of my all time favorite vocal albums as Ethel belts them out here like nobody else can. "Nothing Can Stop Me Now" is another amazing performance that is nothing short of being a solid Ethel Merman masterpiece! Highly recommended!!!"

A CD that misses on every level

A. McIntyre | Philadelphia, PA United States | 08/01/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"One of the great theater thrills in my life was seeing Ethel Merman in "Gypsy," when she was at her peak. Sadly, Merman's voice was starting to shows its age when she recorded these two records in the early 1970s (packaged here in one CD). Merman Sings Merman contains her greatest hits. Ethel's Ridin' High has mostly songs that Merman is singing for the first time (the only reason to buy this CD). The musical arrangements are too busy, with a chorus spoiling many of the songs. The two albums were recorded in something called Phase 4 Stereo, perhaps that explains Merman's voice. She seems to have lost any ability to add shadings or nuaces and just belts (or more accurately yells many of the lyrics). I suspect the Phase 4 Stereo may be a large part of the problem, because Merman sounded like her former self in TV and concert appearances from the same period. The CD is probably worth the price for Merman's versions of "Sunrise, Sunset" and "Whispering," a song that shows Merman's sense of humor (she was a wonderful comic on stage).

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