Search - Joni James :: Among My Souvenirs/Joni Sings Irish Favorites

Oooh, Joni! Let me call you sweetheart, please?

Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 04/10/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Among My Souvenirs/Joni Sings Irish Favorites gives us a wonderful twofer CD that has all the songs from two of Joni James' great record albums entitled Among My Souvenirs and Joni Sings Irish Favorites. The quality of the sound is excellent. The artwork is very well laid out as well.



"Always" kicks off the track set with a huge number for Joni; she sings this with so much grace it truly moves me. Joni's voice is rich, warm and very vibrant. The percussion adds a nice touch to the musical arrangement, too. "When You Were Sweet Sixteen" is a very old ballad that sounds so new and fresh when Joni James sings it; the guitar that accompanies her couldn't sound better. Joni handles subtle tempo changes effortlessly and it amazes me how well she can do this!



"Let Me Call You Sweetheart" is yet another older love song that Joni infuses with a certain chemistry that makes it sound fresh all over again; the melody uses the strings to great advantage. "Among My Souvenirs" gets the royal treatment from Joni who delivers this song like the pro she always was! "'Till We Meet Again" is equally bright; this is another highlight of this fantastic album.



"Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral (That's An Irish Lullaby)" features Joni front and center--and that's OK by me! Joni sings this with heart and soul and I really like this ballad. It sounds so much better when Joni sings it. "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling" is another great tune from this CD; Joni's voice is as clear as a bell and I really appreciate this.



"Peg O' My Heart" is another Irish tune that gets such fine treatment from Joni who delivers this with panache. The strings enhance the natural beauty of this number and Joni never misses a beat. "Danny Boy" is another old Irish favorite that so many people know; but when Joni sings this it sounds so good--new and fresh all over again! Joni sings this with all her might and it makes "Danny Boy" a great number on this CD.



"Mother Machree" places Joni right in the center of the ballad; and this all works very well. The album ends very nicely with Joni performing "Galway Bay;" this Irish tune makes a strong ending and Joni sings it so well you're bound to feel you've just got to have more when the CD ends.



Joni James fans will definitely want this one for their collections. People who enjoy classic older love songs and Irish favorites will cherish this album for years to come!

"

This CD contains two of Joni James' best albums.

Matthew G. Sherwin | 09/26/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Among My Souvenirs" has simple arrangements, and Ms. James' voice sounds clear and beautiful in this setting. Her rendition of "Always" is the best version I have ever heard of what is one of my favorite songs. This and "Alice Blue Gown" and "When I Grow Too Old to Dream" are the three songs I like best on "Among My Souvenirs." "Joni Sings Irish Favorites" has lusher orchestrations than the other album. These are totally orginal takes on Irish favorites. I especially like "Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral," "How Are Things in Glocca Morra," "Molly Malone," "Danny Boy," "Believe Me if All Those Endearing Young Charms," and "Mother Machree." For those just discovering Ms. James' music, this CD would be a perfect introduction. For those who are already fans of Ms. James, this CD is a must."

Well done, beautiful memory trip for me.

Matthew G. Sherwin | 07/20/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The audio quality of this CD and her voice are both excellent. I been searching for recordings by her of this quality and My search is over. I have two recordings from the Joni Collection (TARCD-3006 and TARCD-3002) Both are very good."