So much promise - but ultimately disappointing CD
Victor Vail | Rockville, MD USA | 07/21/2009
(3 out of 5 stars)
"I wrote my review of this CD, immediately after the first listening - and I was very disappointed, when writing my review. I've since listened to the CD again, and have softened my initial take on this collection. I still have some problems with it (hence only the 3 star rating), but there's definitely more merit to this collection than I originally thought.
I keep hoping for THE perfect Kate Smith CD to come out... (What about all those RCA recordings of the 1960's? Re-mastered, good artwork, etc. Can't that be done by someone out there???) I was already familiar with these recordings, having all of Kate's Lp records - and admit these sessions of the late 1950's are not necessarily my favorite recordings of Kate's... BUT, there are some really beautifully sung performances here, and judging by the classy CD cover, I was hoping for more.
The CD cover is nice. Excellent photos - especially the black & white photo that's behind the actual CD, when you open the case. Great photo. The booklet, too, is FAR superior than almost any of Kate's other CDs out there. And, I REALLY appreciate that Sepia chose songs other than those same recordings that appear on almost EVERY Kate Smith CD... The song selection is really one of the strong points of this collection.
The problem, then? The sound. And, it's a BIG problem, for me. I'd read that Sepia boasted of putting these recordings through noise-filters, etc., to achieve great sound. So, I was expecting nice, nice sound quality. (I mean, it CAN be done!) Unfortunately, Kate's voice - that beautiful crystal clear voice of hers - has a fuzziness to it, on several of the songs - sounding like it's distorted (sort of like the speaker is turned too loud - without the volume actually being loud). She sounds like her voice has been muffled with a layer of cellophane. All the filtering removed the edge around her voice. Very odd - and very, very disappointing. After a second listen, I pretty much figured Sepia must've been working from an old Lp, (fairly certain no actual studio tapes exist), and that's the reason for the fuzzy sound. So, then I decided to pull out the original record, and play in on my phono. No fuzziness - her voice is crystal clear. So, I'm back again, wondering what did they do to her voice???
I also realized that this fuzzy sound is only on the first half of the CD - which is Kate's 1950's album on the KAPP record label ("The Fabulous Kate"). When this CD moves into the 2nd half of the CD - Kate's "The Great Kate" album (TOPS records) - the sound is great. Her voice is crystal clear, as it should be.
The real thrill for me was hearing one of the 'bonus' tracks - something that wasn't on either of the albums - and that's the song "Music of Home" (from Broadway's "Greenwillow", written by Frank Loesser). "Music of Home" is worth the price of the CD.
Kate Smith was such a class act, possessing a brilliant vocal instrument like none other. She deserves a definitive CD collection, doesn't she? This CD is worth getting, for sure - it's just too bad about the sound quality on the first 12 songs."
The Great Kate!
Kerry J. Koenig | 10/07/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is an essential CD for anyone who appreciates great vocalizing. Kate Smith is one of the great voices of the twentieth century and this CD shows why. Great songs! With all due respect to another reviewer of this CD, the sound quality is just fine. Don't let that review deter you from buying this wonderful CD. Buy and enjoy!"
Great Voice,Great Orchestrations!
Dr. L | New York City, NY United States | 10/04/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"What can I say? This collection is so fantastic! When I play it, people never think it could be Kate Smith! The songs are crystal clear, perfect orchestrations, and so beautiful! A must have!"
Track Listings (26) - Disc #1