Search - Various Artists :: Pennies From Heaven

Not quite BBC series soundtrack

John D. Malloy | United States | 03/08/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This CD set has most of the songs lip-synched in the 1978 BBC series but misses several of its strongest, including "Blue Moon," "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes," "Pick Yourself Up," and "Love is the Greatest Thing." Instead it interpolates "other songs from the 1930s," American recordings by the likes of Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire. Not unworthy, though one or two is from a slightly later period. Also, as a low-cost compilation of music in public domain in the EU, this, unlike the official soundtrack album, has no notes or recording information. But it offers most of the musical pleasures from the series that would be hard to find elsewhere, and at a very attractive price."

Wonderful music that remains classic today

Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 01/06/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Pennies From Heaven is a three CD set that gives you a thorough introduction to the music from the 1930s. The sound quality overall is rather good despite some surface noise. The packaging is nice; but we could have used some liner notes!



Listen for Bing Crosby to sing the title track on the first CD, "Pennies From Heaven." Bing's excellent vocal skills always carried him through. The violin works well for the number, too. "Anything Goes" is performed by Lew Stone & His Band; and wow, how they never miss a beat! I really like this version of "Anything Goes." I only wish they told us who those wonderful female vocalists were! Listen also for another number on the first CD entitled "Whistling In The Dark." "Whistling In The Dark" is a classic `30s tune.



"You Couldn't Be Cuter" features Al Bowlly singing with Lew Stone & His Band; Al's excellent diction enhances his performance and I really like this number. "Oh You Nasty Man" gets the royal treatment from Ray Noble & His Orchestra; and the first CD ends very nicely with Carroll Gibbons & The Savoy Hotel Orpheans doing "Better Think Twice;" what great brass they use for this song!



The second CD has lots to offer. Ambrose & His Orchestra start things off with "(Yes, Yes) My Baby Said Yes." I enjoy this tune every time I hear it. There's also the very classic "Bob White (Whatcha Gonna Swing Tonight?)." Bing Crosby and Connee Boswell (aka Connie Boswell) do this to perfection--and beyond! The horn work during the musical interlude is very pretty, too. Fred Astaire sings "Cheek To Cheek;" and be on the lookout for "The Echo Of A Song" by Roy Fox & His Band. Roy Fox and his band mates entertained so many people; and this tune shows why--they were great! "Keep Young And Beautiful" is by Roy Fox & His Band; they ace this effortlessly. In addition, there's "I'll String Along With You" by Ray Noble & His Orchestra as Al Bowlly sings the lyrics very, very well.



The third CD gives us even more timeless music. Fred Astaire sings one of his best songs from his movie career entitled "Let's Face The Music And Dance." Fred sang well although he is best remembered for dancing with Ginger Rogers in the movies. Billy Merrin & His Commanders also make good on "We'll Make Hay While The Sun Shines;" and I'm impressed by a number Bing Crosby sings with Connee Boswell entitled "Between 18th And 19th On Chestnut Street." "Between 18th And 19th On Chestnut Street" has great brass and despite some slight surface noise Bing and Connee sound wonderful. "I Only Have Eyes For You" by Harry Warren and Al Dubin gets a fine treatment by Eddy Duchin & His Orchestra. They perform this without missing a note. It's great for slow dancing even today. I only wish they had told us who sings the lyrics! The third CD ends strong with Arthur Tracy (The Street Singer) performing "Pennies From Heaven." The lovely arrangement gives us a fine ending for this three CD set.



Pennies From Heaven shines bright as one of the better CD box sets of 1930s music. I highly recommend this CD set for lovers of 1930s music; and people who like classic pop vocals will find quite a few numbers to enjoy on these three CDs.

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