MOOD MUSIC AT IT'S BEST
Bill Busse | Fairmont, MN United States | 02/12/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Patti Page became the 'waltz queen' because so many of her million selling hits were waltzes (featured the waltz beat): Tennessee Waltz, Mama From the Train, Changing Partners, Mockin Bird Hill, Doggie in the Window, etc., etc. When Patti recorded this album in 1957 it was said she was flaunting the age old waltz in an era of "teeny bopper pop". This album has proven it's staying power. Not only was this one of Patti's biggest sellers on Mercury, but Vic Shoen's arrangements and Patti's perfect vocals make this an album for all time.
Patti Page fans have waited anxiously for her Mercury albums to be released on CD. Thanks to Polygram, Japan, we have some of these Mercury gems. If you've only heard the Patti Page "Hit Parade"....it's time to explore her vast album reportoire. This was released on CD at the same time as ON CAMERA....PATTI PAGE...favorites from TV...a totally different LP to CD. Too bad the prices are so steep....but CDS , and all other music products cost much more in Japan."
Fine album from The Waltz Queen
Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 09/17/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Patti Page can still take a tune and make it into a grand symphony with her beautiful, clear as a bell voice; her sense of timing and her excellent diction. This fine CD gives us the twelve tracks from her record album release entitled The Waltz Queen.
The track set begins with "What'll I Do." Patti handles this classic pop vocal like the pro that she is and she massages the lyrics to make this song her very own. "What'll I Do" also has an excellent arrangement for the horns, flutes and strings. "Memories" lets Patti sing of a long lost love; the harp and her passionate delivery render "Memories" a stunning number for you to enjoy.
"Till We Meet Again" also uses the horns and strings to enhance the beauty of the number; and the chorus that sings along with Patti harmonizes to perfection. Patti sings "Till We Meet Again" without a superfluous note--awesome!
"While We're Young" is a lesser known ballad but "While We're Young" is a sweet, passionate and thoughtful song about the importance of enjoying one's youth well. The strings create a beautiful opening musical flourish and Patti's voice never sounded better! I have a preference for Judy Garland's rendition of this song; but Patti delivers it very, very well also. "Now Is The Hour" sports a melody that reminds you of a Hawaiian tune--and indeed, the ending lyrics include the Hawaiian phrase "Aloha oe." Great! Moreover, "You Always Hurt The One You Love" makes great use of the strings to bolster this number as Patti sings with all her heart and soul. Great! The backup chorus works wonders for "You Always Hurt The One You Love," too.
Patti Page also performs a cover of a Judy Garland classic from Meet Me In Saint Louis, "The Boy Next Door." Patti's voice is warm, rich and vibrant; but she's not quite Judy. Nevertheless, Patti does a fine job; my observations are obviously just my personal preferences. Listen for the beautiful arrangement for the strings on "The Boy Next Door."
"You Will Find Your Love (In Paris)" features Patti at the top of her game; this marvelous ballad shines like gold as Patti sings it flawlessly. Unfortunately, however, all good things must come to an end; and the final track on this CD is entitled simply "Wondering." "Wondering" has Patti singing of a past love that seems hard for her to forget; she hopes that her one true love still remembers her fondly. "Wondering" provides a strong ending to this album.
The CD has great artwork: the outer cover is a miniature replica of the original record album cover. The liner notes give you the lyrics to all the twelve songs here on this CD; and you get the song credits, too. There's information about this CD in Japanese apparently because that's where this disc was pressed.
Overall, Patti Page fans couldn't ask for a better album from their songbird; and anyone who wants to get acquainted with Patti's fine artistry would do well to get this CD. People who appreciate classic pop vocals will also like this album very much.
Enjoy!
"
A beautiful achievement with a long history
Jim Andrews | Chicago, Illinois USA | 10/01/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This album has a complex history. It began as "Waltzes Make Memories" with an older couple on the cover with their younger selves dancing behind. Some of the tracks were previously released singles. Didn't sell. Retitled "The Waltz Queen" with a high fashion cover shot of Patti. Sold. Stereo version changed the cover to a double image, yanked the singles, replaced them with new recordings. Mono cover changed to match stereo cover but old song lineup retained. Cover lettering subsequently used for a Mercury Wing album which had nothing whatsoever do with the other albums. Or with waltzes for that matter. The original album is a beautiful piece of work, with Vic Shoen's arrangements pure heaven. Much of the stereo version consists of mono recordings with the vocal track on one side and instrumental on the other (most notable in "Wondering," originally the flip of
"Old Cape Cod")."
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1