Search - Julie London :: About the Blues: London By Night

Julie places you there

Kenneth Smith | renton, wa United States | 05/08/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Julie's about the blues album i think is her greatist. The cut "basin street blues" takes great advantage of the stereo process.Opening with her voice in the left channel and moving across to the right.The whole thing makes you feel like you are in new orleans.But my favortie is "a nightingale can sing the blues".The london by night album is a good addition to this fine cd."

Two masterpieces from the fifties

Peter Durward Harris | Leicester England | 12/23/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"These albums are well up to the standard that Julie's fans expect, full of late-night romantic music. Critics will point to the lack of any up-tempo songs, but that was never Julie's style. There are other singers and groups who are good at that.The first of the two albums presented here, About the blues, is a collection of ten blues standards and two originals - Meaning of the blues and Bouquet of blues - all performed superbly by Julie in her own particular style. Of the standards, perhaps the best known are Basin Street blues, I got a right to sing the blues, Invitation to the blues and Blues in the night, but there are many excellent songs here in this well-chosen set.The second album, London by night, is a story about a girl who finds love, loses it then finds it again. The set opens with Well sir, when she meets her first partner, followed about three songs about her being in love including the most famous song here, Mad about the boy. Next comes My man's gone now - so the first love is over. Then she is on her own again (Something I dreamed last night, Pousse Café, Nobody's heart, The exciting life, That old feeling) before she finds love again in the final song, Cloudy morning. All the songs are brilliant - nothing contrived to fit the theme.Here are two outstanding Julie London albums together on one CD, which all her fans should find irresistible."

Elegant, passionate, and very, very classy--BRAVO, JULIE LON

Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 04/02/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"About The Blues/London By Night is a fine two-fer CD that has all the songs from two of Julie London's record albums entitled About The Blues and London By Night. Julie did a great job of performing these songs and a CD like this proves she was one of the best. The quality of the sound is excellent; and the artwork incorporates the original artwork from the record album jackets from back in the day.



The album begins with that famous song, "Basin Street Blues." "Basin Street Blues" gives us a terrific start for this album; Julie sounds great and her excellent diction enhances her performance all the more. How's about that brass? I love it! "I Gotta Right To Sing the Blues" was always one of my favorite classic bluesy numbers; the lush musical arrangement that goes with Julie's singing fits perfectly to make this song a true stand out. "Invitation To The Blues" features Julie London squarely front and center; she coos this song as good as the best of them ever could; and her incredible sense of timing makes this a memorable ballad.



"Meaning Of The Blues" gets a very sensitive arrangement; and Julie bats this straight out of the ballpark! "Meaning Of The Blues" is a highlight of this album; and I really like "The Sunday Blues." "The Sunday Blues" has a bluesy feel, naturally, but there's just a slight side dish of jazz to it that enhances the natural beauty of this song. In addition, "Blues In The Night" has an incredible melody written by Harold Arlen. Julie performs "Blues In The Night" faultlessly and that's grand.



Another reviewer very astutely points out that the tracks from the second album entitled London By Night deal with a woman's experiences with finding love, losing it and then finding it again. "Well, Sir" has yet another very sweet and lush musical arrangement; Julie London is in her true element and that's great for us--she sings THAT well. "Mad About The Boy" is a song I first heard sung by Dinah Washington; but Julie's rendition holds its own very well and I think Dinah would have liked this version! "Just The Way I Am" stuns me with its beauty; the strings are used to great advantage as Julie sings this with all her heart and soul In addition, "Something I Dreamed Last Night" is special; this highlight of the album features an elegant violin arrangement that matches Julie's vocals every step of the way.



The Nobody's Heart" gets the royal treatment as Julie sings this bluesy number with panache; the piano arrangement works well and Julie aces this as effortlessly as if it were just breathing! What talents she had. "Exciting Life" is a beautiful tune; and I love hearing Julie London singing "That Old Feeling." "That Old Feeling" showcases just how well Julie London could sing a most romantic, nostalgic love songs--she does this one up right! The album also ends well with Julie London performing "Cloudy Morning."



Julie London will always be remembered as one of the best female singers of the twentieth century; and I recommend this for her fans and anyone who enjoys bluesy and romantic classic songs. I am dismayed that this CD is out of print but hopefully that will change soon."