Search - Judy Garland, Dick Haymes, Bing Crosby :: Hits of '46 - Original Mono recordings from 1946

Splendid album of hits from 1946

Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 06/11/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Hits of '46 is a CD with some incredibly classic music that sounds great even today! Some of this music is still good for dancing; and the sound quality is really rather good considering the age of these recordings. Now THIS is great music!



Judy Garland starts the album off with a fine recording of "On The Atchison, Topeka And The Santa Fe." "On The Atchison, Topeka And The Santa Fe" comes from the MGM movie The Harvey Girls and Judy sings this with her usual panache. Judy Garland truly is immortal; her timeless songs prove it and this track is one of those songs. Dick Haymes also does a great rendition of the ballad called "It Might As Well Be Spring;" Dick sings this like the crooner he always was and it really is a highlight of this album. Perry Como also scores big with his interpretation of "Prisoner Of Love;" Perry sings this without a superfluous note. Perry Como truly is underrated and I simply don't understand why he isn't as well remembered as Sinatra these days.



The Ink Spots sing "To Each His Own" with their characteristic sound; and I truly love it! "To Each His Own" really showcases The Ink Spots and their wonderful ability to perform a great ballad. Frank Sinatra also weighs in with his rendition of "I Fall In Love Too Easily;" there is a bit of surface noise on this track but it doesn't truly interfere with the recording. Listen also for "Get Your Kicks On Route 66" by Nat King Cole & His Trio; Nat played with these gentlemen before he went on to be a solo singer. "Get Your Kicks On Route 66" is an awesome song that always impresses me.



Bing Crosby & The Andrews Sisters sing "South America, Take It Away!" very well; and I really like this number. The Andrews Sisters harmonize as well as they always did; and they sound great when coupled with the great Bing Crosby. Dick Haymes returns again for a magnificent version of "You Make Me Feel So Young." It's terrific! In addition, Perry Como also performs "They Say It's Wonderful" with lots of feelings; Perry truly delves into this ballad to make it shine as his own. "They Say It's Wonderful" has a fine arrangement for the strings and this enhances the natural beauty of the ballad.



The Ink Spots also do "The Gipsy;" "The Gipsy" is one of my very favorite numbers by The Ink Spots and just one listen will tell you why! The Ink Spots do this with great sensitivity and I could never tire of hearing "The Gypsy." Frank Sinatra also returns to do a wonderful rendition of "Nancy, With The Laughing Face;" perhaps because Nancy was his daughter's name was one reason why Sinatra could sing this so very well. Al Jolson also does a great job on "Rock-A-Bye Your Baby With A Dixie Melody;" Al Jolson made this song so very famous and he never falters as he sings this to perfection!



Walter Huston does great on "September Song;" and listen for Ella Fitzgerald to sing "It's A Pity To Say Goodnight." "It's A Pity To Say Goodnight" ends the album very well and it certainly leaves you wanting more! Great!



Overall, Hits of '46 gives us so much music to enjoy. People who first heard these tunes on the radio will love this album; indeed anyone who enjoys classic pop vocals from the 1940s will also appreciate this album.

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Great vintage era music

Matthew G. Sherwin | 10/20/1998

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I do a lot of dancing, but I love to listen too. These are original recordings with great hits and a wide variety of themes and tempos. I listen to them at work all the time! It's a nice long CD with a running time of 74 minutes."