Post by lora on Aug 19, 2004 12:45:03 GMT -5
A lot of people are familiar with the rock concept albums from the '60s and '70s. It really all started with Sinatra. Of course, his concept albums never tangled with such issues as many rock albums have done. His were simpler and sweeter. This one is very similar to what I think Sinatra's concept albums were like. All of the tracks here deal with travel, as the album cover (which is in my signature) hints to.
Tracks 1-13 are from the original release. The remainder of the tracks are bonuses. NOTE: Remember that all of my CDs are packed up before you judge my review this week.
Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney, with Billy May and His Orchestra
Fancy Meeting You Here
1958, 2001
1. Fancy Meeting You Here
Something so great about these old songs: the repartee between the singers. There'll be a little flirty/teasing dialogue between verses sometimes. Love that.
2. (I'd Like To Be) On A Slow Boat To China
Very different arrangement from the version Bette does with Manilow on her Rosemary Clooney tribute. I like this one as well. Their voices blend so well.
3. I Can't Get Started
This one is slowed down a bit from the previous two. It's got some great trumpet along with the gorgeous, smooth vocals.
4. Hindustan
This one quickly became a favorite for me. The rhythm of the first verse is terrific and Bing's voice is beautiful on those first few lines. The lyrics are very cute too.
5. It Happened In Monterey
There's some great work from the orchestra about half-way through the song with this little musical interlude. Very cool.
6. You Came A Long Way From St. Louis
Here's some more of that cute repartee, along with an extremely cute laugh from Rosemary at one of Bing's remarks. They both do a fantastic job of wrapping their tongues around these lyrics too. This album boasts some of the best vocals of Bing's career, IMO.
7. Love Won't Let You Get Away
Nice piano here. Love it.
8. How About You
This standard has always been a favorite of mine. This version contains some lyrics I hadn't heard from it before. I'm most familiar with the "I like New York in June" verse, but there's another that follows.
9. Brazil
Very good orchestration on this.
10. Isle Of Capri
Nothing bad to say here either. These tracks swell nicely into one another.
11. Say "Si Si" (Para Vigo Me Voy)
Here's another one of those Italian numbers that Rosemary seemed to sing so often. I like the island-inspired percussion on this.
12. Calcutta
Bing gets a zinger or two in about Bob Hope on this album (another in this song). This song is cute.
13. Love Won't Let You Get Away
An extended version of track 7. I like this one better, seeing as how its longer.
14. Ain't A-Hankerin' - Rosemary Clooney and Bob Hope
This is the first of the bonus tracks on here. Most people never consider Bob Hope a singer, but he did record a lot of songs and I think he had a very nice (albeit unique) voice. This song has sort of a striptease orchestration...if you can imagine that.
15. Protection - Rosemary Clooney and Bob Hope
Bob has a pretty funny line in the intro of this. Lots of sexual innuendo on this, and the previous, track.
16. Love Won't Let You Get Away - Bing Crosby and Jo Stafford
From Bing's '59 TV show (as are the rest of these tracks). Jo Stafford has a very nice voice, but she's no Rosemary Clooney. Still, she does good with this duet.
17. Medley: Fancy Meeting You Here; (I'd Like To Be) On A Slow Boat To China; Hindustan - Bing Crosby and Jo Stafford
Nice rendition with a few new jokes added in.
18. Ol' Man River - Bing Crosby
A speeded up version of this classic song. You wouldn't think the song would work with such a quick tempo, but Bing pulls it off very well. Probably my second-favorite rendition (right behind Judy's).
19. When It's Twilight On The Trail - Bing Crosby
This is pretty. Never heard this song before.
Tracks 1-13 are from the original release. The remainder of the tracks are bonuses. NOTE: Remember that all of my CDs are packed up before you judge my review this week.
Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney, with Billy May and His Orchestra
Fancy Meeting You Here
1958, 2001
1. Fancy Meeting You Here
Something so great about these old songs: the repartee between the singers. There'll be a little flirty/teasing dialogue between verses sometimes. Love that.
2. (I'd Like To Be) On A Slow Boat To China
Very different arrangement from the version Bette does with Manilow on her Rosemary Clooney tribute. I like this one as well. Their voices blend so well.
3. I Can't Get Started
This one is slowed down a bit from the previous two. It's got some great trumpet along with the gorgeous, smooth vocals.
4. Hindustan
This one quickly became a favorite for me. The rhythm of the first verse is terrific and Bing's voice is beautiful on those first few lines. The lyrics are very cute too.
5. It Happened In Monterey
There's some great work from the orchestra about half-way through the song with this little musical interlude. Very cool.
6. You Came A Long Way From St. Louis
Here's some more of that cute repartee, along with an extremely cute laugh from Rosemary at one of Bing's remarks. They both do a fantastic job of wrapping their tongues around these lyrics too. This album boasts some of the best vocals of Bing's career, IMO.
7. Love Won't Let You Get Away
Nice piano here. Love it.
8. How About You
This standard has always been a favorite of mine. This version contains some lyrics I hadn't heard from it before. I'm most familiar with the "I like New York in June" verse, but there's another that follows.
9. Brazil
Very good orchestration on this.
10. Isle Of Capri
Nothing bad to say here either. These tracks swell nicely into one another.
11. Say "Si Si" (Para Vigo Me Voy)
Here's another one of those Italian numbers that Rosemary seemed to sing so often. I like the island-inspired percussion on this.
12. Calcutta
Bing gets a zinger or two in about Bob Hope on this album (another in this song). This song is cute.
13. Love Won't Let You Get Away
An extended version of track 7. I like this one better, seeing as how its longer.
14. Ain't A-Hankerin' - Rosemary Clooney and Bob Hope
This is the first of the bonus tracks on here. Most people never consider Bob Hope a singer, but he did record a lot of songs and I think he had a very nice (albeit unique) voice. This song has sort of a striptease orchestration...if you can imagine that.
15. Protection - Rosemary Clooney and Bob Hope
Bob has a pretty funny line in the intro of this. Lots of sexual innuendo on this, and the previous, track.
16. Love Won't Let You Get Away - Bing Crosby and Jo Stafford
From Bing's '59 TV show (as are the rest of these tracks). Jo Stafford has a very nice voice, but she's no Rosemary Clooney. Still, she does good with this duet.
17. Medley: Fancy Meeting You Here; (I'd Like To Be) On A Slow Boat To China; Hindustan - Bing Crosby and Jo Stafford
Nice rendition with a few new jokes added in.
18. Ol' Man River - Bing Crosby
A speeded up version of this classic song. You wouldn't think the song would work with such a quick tempo, but Bing pulls it off very well. Probably my second-favorite rendition (right behind Judy's).
19. When It's Twilight On The Trail - Bing Crosby
This is pretty. Never heard this song before.
