Search - Frank Yankovic :: 70 Years of Hits

This is the big one that started it all

Bill Smythe | Chicago | 09/13/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"We Yankovic fans have waited a long time for this re-release. Originally released in 1985, it won the first-ever Polka Grammy Award in 1986. This CD began Frankie Yankovic's second heyday, which continued to his death in 1998. (His first was in the 40s and 50s.) Top-notch sound quality and prominent rhythm sections characterize this period. Six of these ten polkas and waltzes were recorded again in 1996 and 1997, on Frankie's last and best CDs, Songs of the Polka King Volumes 1 and 2. But at least three tracks, including the superb Beer Drinking Song, have never had a Yankovic performance before or since, as far as I know. The final track, Looking Back, will bring tears to the eyes of anyone with even the slightest appreciation of this music genre. Good show, Cleveland International and Our Heritage! The only glitch is the reversal, on the jacket, of tracks 7 and 8. The Polka Grammy Award, by the way, has been awarded every year since its inception, to a variety of artists including Jimmy Sturr. But Frankie Yankovic started it all with 70 Years of Hits. Get it without delay."