Search - Nino Tempo, April Stevens :: All Strung Out

Classy, classic pop

Zub | Forks Twp., PA | 11/15/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The brother and sister act of Nino Tempo and April Stevens are best known for their Grammy-winning remakes of old standards ("Deep Purple") during their stint at Atco records in the early 60s. Both also had some chart success individually before and after their Atco hits. This CD presents their material from their recordings at White Whale records during 1966 and 1967. Included here is their "All Strung Out" album with some additional bonus track singles. Though less commercially successful, this material presents Nino and April at their best. Their counterpoint voices, Nino's writing and his Spector-influenced production yield some incredibly musically sophisticated pop recordings. While "All Strung Out" and "I Can't Go On Living" were their two top-100 chart successes, "The Habit Of Loving You" is a Spectorian triumph. Rounding out the album are tracks of diverse styles, all handled superbly by Nino and April. Sound quality is excellent with all tracks in stereo except 11,13-16 although there is some notable distortion on track 16. Liner notes, while brief, provide some backround of the pair's work at White Whale. A top-notch pop production for an extremely talented pair whose recognition was far less than their talent. Varese Vintage also offers a Nino and April compilation CD (which see) that includes their Atco as well as White Whale sides."

A move in the right direction!

Zub | 05/08/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Prior to signing on with White Whale Records, Nino and April were basically a fairly decent duo specializing in easy listening music. These earlier tracks were a blend of enjoyable tunes and simpering retoolings of much older standards. This CD, "All Strung Out" focuses on the duo's later releases, and the improvement is obvious. The diversity of selections reveals the talent and versatility of which Nino and April were capable. The best tracks are the "Wall of Sound style" songs: "All Strung Out," "The Habit of Lovin' You Baby" (which sounds like "Barry Manilow Meets The Walker Brothers," but it works extremely well) and "You'll Be Needing Me, Baby." April also does an excellent cover of Bobby Hebb's "Sunny." In short, a highly recommended CD!"

Oh goodness!!!! get me a go-go cage now!!!

hullabaloo girrl | houston | 05/08/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"i won't bore with their hits before this release, as its been repeated already. fast forward to 1966 with their album with same name as the single, "all strung out". some of songs reminded me of the beach boys, the mamas and the papas, phil spector's wall of sound, and the monkees. my favorite tracks are "you'll be needing me baby", "sunny", "little child", the title track, "i can't go on livin' without you baby" and the chestnut favorite, "let it be me". an exceptional disc featuring the music of the wrecking crew featuring the multi talented hal blaine and carol kaye. this cd is worth the price for if nothing else, artistic value."