ANOTHER CLASSIC COLLECTION FROM SONY!
Giovanni Marra | Chicago, IL | 05/12/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"With all the hype of an opening night on the Great White Way, comes this thrilling release, the latest in the TWO ON ONE series from the good people at Sony. (We need more like this from Jerry Vale and Tony Bennett)As always, liner notes from the original albums are included on this impeccably restored disc. It is interesting to note that many of these songs became other people's hits or even signature songs AFTER Mr. Goulet recorded them. The undertaking of these two projects had to be a labor of love for Mr. Goulet, considering it was Broadway that launched his stellar career, being discovered on the stage of Lerner & Loewe's CAMELOT. (One might find it peculiar that NO selections from Camelot are found here) Nevertheless, there are some real gems here; the arrangements are certainly top-notch, considering the Volume One sides were all arranged and conducted by Don Costa, whose extensive work with other Columbia artists such as (long time Costa friends) Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, Johnny Mathis and Tony Bennett (If you don't own the IF I RULED THE WORLD disc yet, please get it now, Don's work is extraordinary with Bennett)is nothing short of exquisite, and these skills are most likely the reason Sinatra relied on Mr. Costa as his music man from the late 60's on. The touching "LOOK FOR SMALL PLEASURES" is a nice song, as is "LONG AGO", both with a trademark tag on the ending as only Goulet can provide. More familiar numbers include the lovely "SUNRISE, SUNSET", "NIGHT SONG", and "HELLO, DOLLY". Goulet takes a walk through Streisandland with his takes on "SHE TOUCHED ME"(a might too bouncy) and the classic "PEOPLE" (has there ever been a bad version of this song put on wax? Must be the great message being conveyed!) Also here is a Goulet signature, (and another Babs is familiar with) "ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVER". The Volume Two sides are equally enjoyable, with Marty Manning doing most of the arrangements this time. The anchor of this collection can be found here in Mr. Goulet's definitive reading of the Gershwin classic, "SUMMERTIME". Music lovers everywhere will agree that these "2fers" from Sony UK are a music collector's dream. This latest collection is no exception to those standards. Enjoy!"
Goulet In His Comfort Zone
William A. Brimmer Jr. | CT | 03/02/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I was very happy to see this double one one cd released,as I really had enjoyed them on vinyl. The sets of I and II are very different albums. The first 12 selections arranged by Don Costa, who always knew how to get the most out of Mr. Goulet, are diverse Broadway and RG almost shows a little restraint compared to Vol.II. The reason for my 4 star verses 5 star rating has to do with Vol. II. There are only 7 original cuts for the album, and Marty Manning does an excellent job with the arrangements. Mr. Goulet is very loose on these tracks and it shows the more playful side of him that was to evolve as his public persona in the years to come. He finally seemed to start relaxing. Now the other 4 cuts came from other albums, hence my taking a star away.
"There But For You",was lifted from the Armstrong TV Theatre recording of "Brigadoon", and it is a great rendering of the song. "Summertime", arranged by Don Costa,is from the "Summer Sounds" album, and is deep and mellow. "Real Live Girl" is from the "Begin to Love" album and "Make Someone Happy" is from "Two of Us" his 2nd album, and not in step with the rest of the songs. All 4 of these cousins have a different sound from the other 8, and Columbia should have given us a true concept album with 12 cuts arranged by Mr. Manning. Why Sony decided to exclude "Walking Happy"," What is a Woman" and "If She Walked Into My Life", which were on the original album and excellent recordings is a true mystery. Bottomline, there are songs from shows that were tops in the 60"s and Mr. Goulet is terrific on every one of them. Enjoy."
ONE OF THE BEST ALBUMS EVER!
D. Fortunato | Las Vegas, NV | 10/06/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Robert Goulet, my favorite Vocalist! The CD On Broadway/On Broadway Vol.2 is one of my Favorite Albums Ever. It is Easy listening, and very entertaining. Love this Album, and Love Robert Goulet!"
Track Listings (23) - Disc #1