Search - Skeeter Davis :: Blueberry Hill: End of the World

I Found My Thrill! Blueberry Hill - and the End of the World

"Tee" | LA | 06/01/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This bargain CD is one of the year's best reissues, two classic RCA Camden collections from one of country music's pioneering female vocalists, Miss Skeeter Davis. BLUEBERRY HILL is from 1965 although the tracks span from 1958 on and include Skeeter's very first solo hit, "Lost To A Geisha Girl". The album includes two big top ten hits for Skeet, "Where I Ought To Be" and the lovely "Optimistic", as well as two more chart smashes "Homebreaker" and "The Little Music Box" (which peaking at number 22 was the least successful of the five hits here). Skeeter's girl group take on Fats Domino's classic title song is a superb original spin on the rock favorite while her double-track harmony on "Somebody Else on Your Mind" is one of the loveliest recordings she has ever done. Not everything is sweetness and light here, Skeeter goes gothic folk with her original composition "Give Me Death" as a wronged wife who murders her cheating husband and the other woman. THE END OF THE WORLD album here is not the original 1963 release but a 1973 collection (with the original version of Skeeter's legendary hit thank goodness!) that includes two other mega smashes for Skeeter, the unforgettable songs "I Forgot More Than You'll Ever Know" and "Am I That Easy to Forget". Skeeter also covers everything from Johnny Cash's "Daddy Sang Bass" to the pop novelty hit "Little Arrows". And for those who picture Skeeter (rightfully so) as the ultimate girl next door, all wholesome friendliness and sweetness you may get a surprise by hearing her sexually charged performances of "Angel of the Morning" and "Son of a Preacher Man", performances of these much-covered pop hits as strong as anyone has ever done. This CD is a must for anyone who likes the best in country music and the best in pop music - also known as Miss Skeeter Davis!"

Impressed

Ets Ko | Australia | 08/24/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Very Impressed. Been waiting a long whle to find this album. Love thisalbum. Love Skeeter. Am buying more."

In a world that curbs the unconventional, Skeeter's joyful,

Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 08/21/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is one awesome "twofer" CD that has all the songs from two of Skeeter Davis' record albums, Blueberry Hill and The End of the World. Skeeter is in excellent form on this CD; her voice is as clear as a bell and she never sounded better. Her ability to delve deep into everything she ever sang made her performances shine; and her adoring fans loved her for it. She still remains a giant today! The quality of the sound on this CD is excellent and the artwork is very nicely done.



The track set begins with Skeeter Davis performing "Blueberry Hill;" she injects this with lots of positive energy and she swings brightly to make this tune shine! Skeeter's sophisticated phrasing enhances her performance all the more. "Where I Ought to Be" has a lovely country flavor to it; and "Lost to a Geisha Girl" has Skeeter squarely front and center--the musicians play well but wisely they never try to steal the show away from Skeeter, she remains in the spotlight which is right where she belongs! "Walk Softly Darling" has some mighty fine backup singing, too--not that Skeeter really needed backup, but they do sound pretty good anyway.



"Face of a Clown" is very easy on the ear even if the lyrics aren't all that happy; and listen for Skeeter to do a great job on "Somebody Else on Your Mind." I love it! "Optimistic" is quite a strong and memorable tune; and Skeeter's excellent diction makes this brighter than anything on Earth!



"The End of the World" was one of Skeeter's biggest hits ever; and just one listen will tell you why! Skeeter was born to sing ballads like this and it's pure heaven to hear Skeeter Davis singing this torch song. "Daddy Sang Bass" has a great country flavor that I really like a lot; Skeeter performs this faultlessly. "My Coloring Book" is yet another gem on this album; Skeeter delivers this without letting go of a single superfluous note and I'm very impressed. "Son of a Preacher Man" is also very well done.



"Am I That Easy to Forget?" moves me every time I hear Skeeter Davis sing it; this music is all THAT good. "Little Arrows" is a great little tune that has Skeeter handling complex tempo and key changes seemingly effortlessly. Of course, we know that it wasn't really all that easy; Skeeter's talent carried her through every time. "Hold Me Tight" is a wonderful number; and Skeeter does a sublime rendition of "Angel of the Morning." The album ends strong with Skeeter Davis performing "I Forget More Than You'll Ever Know." "I Forget More Than You'll Ever Know" leaves me wanting more!



Skeeter Davis deserves so much more recognition than she gets in our times; and I hope that changes soon with increased sales of CDs like this one. She will always be one of the best songbirds of the twentieth century; we are all better off for her sharing her talent with us."