Search - Frances Langford :: Serenade

Wonderful love songs of the thirties and forties

Peter Durward Harris | Leicester England | 08/02/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Frances was first and foremost a singer, although she also appeared in a lot of Hollywood movies. She did not record a lot music, considering the length of her career, doing most of her singing via radio broadcasts or touring.This brilliant collection is one of two on the Flare label and there is also an excellent collection on Jasmine (So many memories) which only shares three tracks with the two Flare albums, these being Swingin' the jinx away and Night and day (both on this album) and Sweet Heartache, the title track of the other Flare album.This album (like the others, dominated by ballads, which was Frances' speciality) begins with a beautiful version of Red sails in the sunset, recorded in late 1947, which might just be my favorite track on this collection - but they are all brilliant, so it's a close decision.Some of the songs were introduced to the world by Frances in her movies, including You hit the spot (from Collegiate) and Will I ever know (from Palm Springs). The rest are a mixture of the famous and the forgotten - but you can't tell which is which from Frances' performance, which is always excellent. However, you will immediately recognise I've got you under my skin, Stormy weather and a few others, becausec they have been covered so often down the years.Perhaps the greatest pleasure comes from listening to Frances sing those forgotten songs (Boulevard of broken dreams, Deep shadows, Blue evening and others) and wondering why they have been forgotten. Maybe a modern interpreter of the Great American Songbook will revive them after hearing this CD.Most singers of the thirties joined bands and sang dance numbers. Not Frances - she enjoyed singing all those wonderful love songs. Enjoy her music !!!!"

Serenade

Michael J. Totaro | 09/24/2004

(1 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this album and had it replaced by Amazon. Unfortunately both CDs had tracks 24 and 25 corrupted - ruined the album. Don't buy. Amazon does a great job trying to help correct a manufacturer's GOOF!"

Frances Langford is a great old tradition.

James J. Ugrin | Seattle | 01/03/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this for my mother-in-law. She loves it. It is just the kind of nostalgia she needs after the recent passing of her husband of 55 years."