Search - The Andrews Sisters, Jo Stafford & The Pied Pipers Johnny Mercer, Les Brown And His Band Of Renown :: Remember the Forties: It's Been a Long Time: Music of the War Years, Vol. 3

Fine CD of wonderful music from the war years

Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 02/03/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Remember the Forties: It's Been a Long Time: Music of the War Years, Volume Three has some great World War II era hits that sound just as good today as they ever did when they first hit the airwaves all those years ago! The quality of the sound is really quite good and the artwork is nicely done even if it is somewhat standard for this CD series. I suspect that this will bring back memories for many people including people who were very young at the time and grew up hearing these songs on the radio as their parents listened with them.



The album starts with The Andrews Sisters singing very sweetly on "Rum And Coca Cola." "Rum And Coca Cola" was a huge hit for The Andrews Sisters and just one listen will tell you why. The sisters harmonize to perfection and they never miss a beat even when there are challenging tempo and key changes. The percussion is excellent, too. "Candy" gets the royal treatment from the great Jo Stafford, Johnny Mercer and The Pied Pipers. These performers join up for a divine rendition of "Candy." This is classic forties pop music at its very best; and I love it! Listen also for "Sentimental Journey" performed by Les Brown & His Band Of Renown; Les Brown could always make a tune sound so great in an instrumental version; the horns are used to great advantage on "Sentimental Journey."



"Dream" showcases the sublime talents of The Pied Pipers; it's wonderful! The album takes a turn for another direction when Spike Jones & His City Slickers perform "Chloe (Song Of The Swamp)." Listen for unconventional uses of old car horns; and there's even sounds of what appears to be a stick hitting tin cans in the musical arrangement! I believe we're hearing Spike Jones himself singing this tune; and it's a great novelty piece for a little piece of fun. "It Might As Well be Spring" reverts to a more traditional form of pop music from the forties; and when Margaret Whiting sings this I'm very impressed indeed. Margaret Whiting possessed enough talent to outshine so many "celebrities;" and we are much better off for Margaret sharing her talents with us.



Peggy Lee sings a great hit she had in 1944 entitled "Waiting For The Train To Come In;" many women could identify with this song as they themselves were waiting for their men to come home from the war. The album ends with Betty Hutton performing "Doctor, Lawyer, Indian Chief;" Betty's excellent diction definitely enhances her singing. The beat is great and Betty's voice is as clear as a bell.



Remember the Forties: It's Been a Long Time: Music of the War Years, Volume Three is easily a "must-have" CD for fans of this genre of music. It's too bad that this is out of print as I write this; but maybe someday they will bring this one back. If you like these tunes, check out other CDs with music from the years of World War II available for sale on this website.

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