Search - Johnnie Ray :: Yes Tonight Josephine

Not Up To "Cry"'s standard

patricia m dryburgh | calgary, alberta Canada | 09/04/2001

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I waited, with anticipation, for this second boxed set and, I'm sorry to say, with some exceptions, this is not up to the standard set by the first, excellent, boxed set, "Cry". I feel that, apart from the "Sinner" tracks and the duets with Timi Yuro, this was rife with "filler" material. I think that it is painfully evident why some of the tracks of unreleased material were unreleased.
I think that this collection, unlike the first boxed set, is for the new Johnnie Ray fan, and they are legion, or the long-time aficianado, who is determined to own everything that exists by this phenomenal artist. I must say that even an artist as accomplished and unique as Johnnie Ray had some unfortunate recordings and they are on this set, along with the excellent material. So, although this is not a total dog, it's superfluous tracks are excessive in order to fill out the five cd's which make up the set.
Don't misunderstand me. I am a huge Johnnie Ray fan and own everything on CD that is available. I just feel that there wasn't enough high-quality material available to compose another collection that would come up to the excellence of the "Cry" boxed set."

BETTER PRESENTATION PLEASE

Joyce M. Hurt | Livermore, CA USA | 02/16/2010

(3 out of 5 stars)

"When I ordered this 5 CD set I was prepared for a number of songs that weren't up to the standards you expect from such a sensational star. Having said that I was terribly disappointed in the presentation. I have heard so much about the Bear Family and the products they offer. When I buy a CD I expect to find a lot of information on the CD cover or information inserted with the cover. I want to know who wrote the songs, who was responsible for the music and other pertinent information. Here, with this set, you get 5 CDs that all look alike and only the titles and the release dates on the CD. If you want more you have to glean it from the large and disappointing book. Included in the set are some wonderful releases such as On The Trail, A Sinner am I, and Til Morning. The set also includes 12 songs released by Liberty around 1962. The title of the LP was simply "Johnnie Ray." I wasn't very familiar with this LP and I am enjoying it along with the above mentioned wonderful music. This release has some wonder titles such as You'd Be Nice To Come Home To, and Melancholy Baby."