Search - Margaret Whiting :: My Ideal: The Definitive Collection [ORIGINAL RECORDINGS REMASTERED]

SUPERB TRIBUTE TO MARGARET WHITING - VOCALIST SUPREME!

A. POLLOCK | PLYMOUTH, DEVON United Kingdom | 12/11/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"


Margaret Whiting had the reputation during the 40's and `50's as a vocalist who could handle all song genres from show tunes and movie themes to country ballads, standards, pop ditties and even kids nursery rhymes set to music. In other words, a singer with all-round versatility who budded at Capitol in 1943 and bloomed there until 1957 when she sought pastures new and renewed popularity elsewhere. This anthology is a fine tribute to Margaret's vocal talent as it touches all bases described above, with no fewer than 113 tracks spread over four discs brim-full of quality songs like IT'S A MOST UNUSUAL DAY, HOW DEEP IS THE OCEAN and I COULD WRITE A BOOK.



Thanks to Johnny Mercer signing her to his newly-launched label in 1943, Margaret's hits began as featured vocalist on Freddie Slack and his Orchestra's THAT OLD BLACK MAGIC and continued through MOONLIGHT IN VERMONT with the Billy Butterfield Orchestra until her solo name was sufficient to propel IT MIGHT AS WELL BE SPRING, ALL THROUGH THE DAY, IN LOVE IN VAIN, GUILTY, A TREE IN THE MEADOW, NOW IS THE HOUR,, FAR AWAY PLACES and many others into the Hit Parade.



Being the daughter of songwriter Richard Whiting who had died in 1938, growing up in the circle encompassed by other songwriters enabled Margaret to appreciate a good song when she heard it and of course she had her father's song catalogue to explore with MY FUTURE JUST PASSED and MY IDEAL prime examples. Capitol certainly ensured she had the best orchestral backings with Frank DeVol, Paul Weston, Nelson Riddle, Jerry Gray, Billy May, Lou Busch and others guilding the vocal lily while duets with Bob Hope (LUCKY US and three others), Jack Smith (IT'S A BIG, WIDE, WONDERFUL WORLD), Jimmy Wakely (Try Jasmine's TILL WE MEET AGAIN (JASMCD 2603) for all twenty-nine sides they recorded together) and Johnny Mercer (BABY, IT'S COLD OUTSIDE) contain charm, humour and musical excellence in equal measure. Joining Mercer, Peggy Lee, Benny Goodman and The Pied Pipers for Irving Berlin's THE FREEDOM TRAIN was also a highlight of Margaret's career and a 1947 released album of Rodgers and Hart numbers ensures LITTLE GIRL BLUE, MY FUNNY VALENTINE and LOVER brightly shine here thanks to her emotive sincerity.



The tracks are generally sorted for variety rather than chronological order and no recording dates are listed but with excellent sound quality and very informative notes, this collection from the excellent and caring UK reissue label Jasmine, is by far the most comprehensive Whiting appraisal currently available. Its strength lies not only for including her well-known songs but also ensuring that many neglected recordings are rounded up for renewed appraisal. It is highly recommended to those who revere classy girl vocalists - of which Margaret Whiting was up there with the best of the period - and those who enjoy a wallow through superbly sung standards and popular songs of the 40's and 50's."

THE VERSATILE MARGARET WHITING

Harold Jacobs | North Hollywood, CA USA | 01/05/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"WOW! 113 songs by a lady with one of the most versatile voices from the golden age of popular music. With a warm, smooth, clear alto/contralto voice along with perfect pitch, excellent diction, and complete control, Margaret Whiting could effectively sing in a soft, intimate style (MY DREAM IS YOURS, DON'T TELL ME), straight down the middle of her range (IT MIGHT AS WELL BE SPRING, TRUE LOVE), in her deep sultry register (MY FUNNY VALENTINE, OVER AND OVER AND OVER), or in full voice against the lustiest orchestrations (ALONE TOGETHER, WHY DON'T YOU BELIEVE ME?). She also was very adept at singing upbeat tunes and novelty songs (A WONDERFUL GUY, OOPS!, C.O.D., BLIND DATE, ALL I WANT IS ALL THERE IS AND THEN SOME). I never get tired of listening to her.



This is definitely the definitive collection so far of Whiting's Capitol years. Many of her million sellers and hits are here as well as great standards and wonderful lesser known performances. The arrangements backing her by such luminaries as Paul Weston, Frank DeVol, Nelson Riddle, Billy May, Lou Busch and others are inventive and outstanding, and the sound throughout all four discs is crisp and clear.



I want to take this opportunity to thank Jasmine Records for this wonderful tribute to a GREAT singer."

Maybe 4 stars

Marco | 01/10/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was ready to purchase this box set, but is it too much to ask, to at least list the songs that are on the four CDs?! I have come across this a few too many times recently. I am aware that sometimes you can hear samples, and not at other times. But to not be able to know what songs you're getting on a Box Set, please. And one reviewer mentions several ones that are NOT in this set. Really no excuse for this."