Search - Frankie Laine :: The Frankie Laine Collection: The Mercury Years

Looks like this so-so collection will have to do for now

Paul Tognetti | Cranston, RI USA | 10/15/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Despite the fact that this disc bills itself as The Frankie Laine Collection: The Best of The Mercury Years" it is hard to reconcile the fact that 7 of Frankie Laine's charted hits with Mercury records were not included in this 1991 collection. That's a doggone shame but there is still no denying that there are still a good number of terrific tunes from the 40's and early 50's in this collection.

Frankie Laine came out of nowhere in 1947 with his debut recording "That's My Desire". Most music buffs would agree that this is the definitive recording of that tune and Laine took it all the way to #4 on the Billboard pop chart and literally put Mercury records on the map. Sales of that recording were greatly enhanced by black record buyers who mistakenly thought that Laine was a black artist. Laine would continue to hit the charts on a regular basis during his tenure at Mercury. Among the familiar hits you might remember were 1949's "That Lucky Old Sun" and "Mule Train" and his big one from 1950 "The Cry Of The Wild Goose". All three of these tunes made it all the way to the top of the charts and are included on this disc. Other notable tunes on "The Frankie Laine Collection" are "Shine", "Nevertheless (I'm In Love With You)" and the Fats Waller penned "Black and Blue". Laine departed Mercury in the spring of 1951 and went on to have several more successful years at Columbia. It is worth noting that the folks at Mercury did a pretty decent job with the liner notes for this collection but it remains a darn shame that a more complete anthology of Frankie Laine's long and distinguished career is not yet available. It is an oversight that begs to be addressed by one of the reissue labels.

Frankie Laine passed away at the ripe old age of 93 on February 6, 2007. He was still performing "live" shows as recently as 2001 or 2002 and came out of retirement to perform on T.J. Lubinsky's PBS special "Moments To Remember" in 2005. He even had his own website. Remarkable! More than two years after his death no comprehensive Frankie Laine anthology has been issued. That's too bad! In the meantime, The Frankie Laine Collection: The Mercury Years" remains the best available option. Recommended!

"

Frankie at his best

Paul Tognetti | 07/19/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is definitely for the Frankie Laine fans who enjoyed his smooth voice prior to the novelty music of Mitch Miller's Columbia label. His "That's My Desire" and "Music Maestro Please" are a testament to this man's smooth style"

Great cd- Mercury needs to do a" Number 2" follow-up!

Paul Tognetti | 03/24/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is classic early Laine (Lovecchio). I had the opportunity to interview him on my "talk show" in about 1974 and asked him if Mercury ever planned to do this. It sure was a long time coming! If #2 is ever done it should include "Black Lace," Ah! But It Happens," and "Be Bop Spoken Here.""