A STAIRWAY TO THE STARS
Barry McCanna | Normandy, France | 10/25/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The average 78 lasted 3 minutes, which was exactly the time necessary to record a popular tune. By extension, half-an-hour was a comfortable span for an LP side. On the other hand, the increased playing time available from a CD can pose a risk of tedium setting in halfway through. That has led to the popularity of compilation CDs, in the production of which Jasmine has gone one better by producing this double CD set of lesser-known recordings by a variety of singing stars and orchestras, which I would guess all date from the fifties. The mixture of genres and the overall excellence of the performances can be judged from a sample of the roster. Perry Como, Nat King Cole, Eddie Fisher, Billy Eckstine and Eddy Arnold hold down the lower end of the scale, whilst Margaret Whiting, Martha Tilton, Connie Haines, Dinah Shore, and the Andrews Sisters provide a balance in the treble clef. Holding the balance, so to speak, are the orchestras of Henri René, Sauter-Finegan, Frankie Carle, Ralph Flanagan and Vaughn Monroe. Worth buying now for the winter evenings, I think."
ESSENTIAL GOLDEN TRIBUTE TO 40's and 50's STAR VOCALISTS AND
A. POLLOCK | PLYMOUTH, DEVON United Kingdom | 09/17/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Jasmine Records in the UK is a prime mover and shaker when it comes to considering excellent single-artist collections of material from the 40's and 50's with presentation and sound remastering standards aiming consistently high. So it is with this double-disc which is a focused multi-artist special featuring no less than twenty-six vocalists/groups/orchestras and fifty-five songs which have probably remained unheard since their initial release on old 78's and so far overlooked for inclusion on similar compilations.
Whilst it seems almost invidious to name names, the mention of vocalists Perry Como, Martha Tilton, Eddie Fisher and Dinah Shore; vocal groups The Satisfiers and Ames Brothers; orchestras of Henri Rene and Sauter-Finegan, will at least give a mouth-watering idea of the level of diverse vocal and instrumental quality involved on this collection with critic-proof performances well to the fore. Less obvious compilation choices, Bob Manning, June Valli and Dennis Day are also welcome assets.
Apart from the Andrews Sisters who double-up with two tracks on each CD and three awarded Margaret Whiting and Vaughn Monroe respectively, and one solo spot each for Dale Evans and husband Roy Rogers squeezed between their shared duet, the artists have generally been allocated two tracks each which track-wise follow one another, making it a far more convenient arrangement than turning the sides over as those old enough to recall gramophone and radiogram auto-changers will confirm! Whilst most of the songs will have the air of familiarity, those which are less so soon make an impression as pleasant ballads or cheery novelty numbers which certainly add strength to the overall late 40's and 50's ambiance generated throughout, with no temptation to skip forward on tracks.
Accompaniment is invariably credited but there are no listed recording dates although the notes occasionally give clues. However, quoting Bette Davis' dialogue in NOW VOYAGER -"Don't let's ask for the moon. We have the stars!" - leaving nothing more to be said but to recommend this compilation as an essential requirement for those who value 40/50's variety and purposeful selection of rarer tracks sung by some all-time greats!
"
Timeless songs by the greats
Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 04/16/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Saluting The Stars is a wonderful two CD set that offers many timeless hits from huge, huge names in the entertainment world. Of course, no two CD set could ever truly be complete as a salute to "the stars;" but this one does a very good job at giving people lots to enjoy and be happy about. These songs are by the masters! The quality of the sound is very good and I like that artwork, too.
Perry Como starts the first CD off with the marvelous "Marrying For Love" from "Call Me Madam;" and he never sounded better. The immortal Margaret Whiting also makes good on "It's A Most Unusual Day;" she sings this with panache and her excellent sense of timing makes her performance even stronger. Great! Listen for Margaret Whiting to also do a terrific job on "Sorry" and "The Sun Is Always Shining;" this second tune sounds so sweet when Margaret Whiting sings it. In addition, Nat "King" Cole pulls off "Easter Sunday Morning" without a hitch. Nat "King" Cole" never falters and I'm very impressed--but, then again, did Nat "King" Cole ever disappoint his fans?
Connie Haines does great justice to "It's Good-Bye And So-Long To You;" this sounds so perfect in Connie's capable hands and just one listen proves it. The Norman Luboff Choir, a group I always liked, sings "Mister and Mississippi" to perfection--and beyond! Eddie Fisher is another one of my very favorite singers ever; he does a lovely rendition of "My One Sin" on this first CD. Eddie never sounded better! "Blues Serenade" is very pretty; and I really like "That's My Home" by the incredible Andrews Sisters. The first CD ends nicely with Bob Manning performing "To Love Again;" he never skips a beat and that's special.
The second CD continues the big and timeless hits. Dinah Shore's "Reflections On The Water" comes off fresh and new even all these years later; I love to hear Dinah sing! "Billy Eckstine's "Bitter With The Sweet" is very well done; Billy was quite the balladeer. Harry James and his buddies perform "Oh! My Papa (O, Mein Papa)" with a great deal of genuine feeling; and "Summer Sweetheart" features The Ames Brothers squarely front and center--right where they belonged! "Mister Sandman" by Mary Ford and Les Paul still sounds sublime; and I enjoy hearing the adorable "Peter Cottontail" by the immortal Roy Rogers.
The Andrews Sisters team up with The Lee Gordon Singers to do a marvelous treatment of "Open Door-Open Arms;" they never sing an off note and the pairing of these two acts is a real treat. Eddy Arnold sings "Kentuckian Song" with a great deal of sensitivity; and the strings are well used in the musical arrangement that accompanies Eddy as he sings this tune. "Take Me Back" by June Valli showcases her talents as a woman born to sing ballads precisely like this one; and June also does a superb job singing "Bird In A Cage." "Little Golden Cross" is another pretty number; and the second CD ends all too soon with "Auld Lang Syne." "Auld Lang Syne" is a timeless song if there ever was one; and it leaves you wanting much, much more.
Overall, Saluting The Stars is a "must-have" for fans of classic pop vocals; and it also provides a very thorough introduction to this genre of music. I highly recommend this two CD set.
"
Track Listings (27) - Disc #1