One of the Best 1950s #1 Hits
346228
Frankie Avalon was one of the "bubble gum" teen idols of the late '50s and early '60s.  VENUS was his first #1 hit on the pop charts in 1959, and he followed it later that year with another #1 song, WHY?.  Avalon's hit songs typified the kind of music that was popular at the time, and although he had some rivals, such as Bobby Vee, Fabian, Bobby Rydell,, he outlasted all of them.  Elvis, with a different image and musical repertoire, of course, was the star to beat, and none did.  IMO Venus was the hit that propelled Frankie Avalon forward in his singing and movie career.  It's one of my all-time favorites from that era.
2245934
When it comes to underrated groups, The 5th Dimesnion are among the greatest. They created some of the most meorable songs in music history, but are ignored by everyone except "oldie" radio (and the xm Satellite Radio plays them often on the '60s and '70s stations). Finally, Arista has decided to give them that respect with this amazing 2 - disc, 36 - song collection.
The album features all the hits you'd expect - "Up, Up And Away", "Stoned Soul Picnic", "Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In", "Wedding Bell Blues", "One Less Bell To Answer" and my personal favorite "(Last Night) I Didn't Get To Sleep At All". But there is more to the 5th than those hits. For example, there are many ignored album tracks that are excellent works. Among my favorites are "Dimension 5ive" (a real vocal showdown), "Black Patch" (with an otherwordly a capella intro and a shared lead vocal by all 5 members), and "Time And Love" (beats Barbara Streisand's version). Also, there a few great ignored singles. I especially adore their version of "Never My Love". It may not have been a top 10 hit like the versions by The Associaton in 1967 and Blue Swede in 1974, but it features a great orchestral arrangement and Marilyn McCoo's sincere vocal. And besides, it only missed the top 10 by a hair (it peaked at 12). I also enjoyed the bouncy "Paper Cup" and their version of "Worst That Could Happen" (their version was before the hit version by The Brooklyn Bridge and is better).
I really suggest this cd. I wish this muisc was still popular today. I think that rap music is bringing the music world to a long, slow decline that desperately needs fixing. Here's hoping the 5th get back soon and record a new studio album.
2278889
This 1963 release is unfairly criticized because it consists of rerecordings of already classic material and a few throwaways. If you're tempted to do so, resist! This is in fact a very solid recording that gives these old favorites a whole new dimension and often equal or surpass their previous incarnations.

For example, compare the two versions of "(How Little It Matters) How Little We Know" and tell me which version captures the feel of the song better. The 1956 version is far too laid back and relaxed such for a clever and joyous expression of love, whereas this version has Frank really having a fun with the song and the result is a more entertaining and better recording.

Similarly, "Withcraft" (my favorite Sinatra recording) benefits from a faster, pumped arrangement that enhances the raunchy seductive nature of the song and Frank sounds a lot more loose and relaxed on this version than the more famous 1957 version. The same can also be said for the faster, less technically impressive but more entertaining redeux of "I've Got You Under My Skin."

The version of "In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning" is by far my favorite version of the song. Frank's deeper, more resonant voice and Riddle's fuller, more atmospheric arragement gives this classic a greater sense of loss and anguish, and I regard it as the definitive version.

"All The Way" isn't punchy as the original, but is in fact a very lush and romantic redoing. I'm not sure which version I prefer, but this version certainly holds its own against the 1957 version and gives it a run for its money.

The new version of "Nancy" is very tender and grand, and the new verse tacked on at the end is a great touch. "Young At Heart" is the only track that doesn't recapture the magic of the original recording, but is still a solid redoing, and the older Frank gives the song more pathos. "The Second Time Around" and "Put Your Dreams Away" are pretty much no different from their previous incarnations, but are more than worth a listen. And the Columbia years even get a nod, as Frank revisits "Oh, What It Seemed To Be" with a hauntingly beautiful arrangement that only Riddle can provide.

When the album was released it did contain two new recordings that were worthy additions to the Sinatra catalogues. One was "Pocketful Of Miracles." Taken from the 1961 film of the same name, it's a poor man's version of "High Hopes," but is nonetheless very fun to listen and Frank's phrasing is great. But it's "Call Me Irresponsible." A moody Riddle arrangement backs up a passionate Sinatra vocal, and the result is a knockout Frank classic.

If it seems to you that you've heard these songs before, don't let that sway your opinion. Listening to this album, it's like hearing them for the first time.
4097995
The Cadillacs were one of the greatest show groups of the doo-wop era and as anyone who has seen Earl "Speedo" Carroll and co. do their thing on PBS' "Doo Wop 50," they still are after all these years. But they also made excellent records. Doo Wop fanatics are pretty familiar with wonderful tunes like "Speedo" (which still gets you going some 45 years later), "Gloria," and "Zoom." But there are also some little-known gems as "Window Lady" and "Woe Is Me" (I love the fadeout on this one, you can't stop humming it to yourself). Oh yeah, see them in their prime (singing "Please Mr. Johnson" in a hilarious routine) in the Alan Freed film "Go Johnny Go."
4622502
You can't help noticing that, in spite of the title suggesting that this covers the top movie hits from 1955 to 1959, five are from 1955, one from 1956, and four from 1957. There is nothing representing either 1958 or 1959.

But then again, the best 1958 had to offer was Gigi from the film of the same name. It did win the Academy Award as best song that year, however the movie version did not dent the charts and only the Vic Damone rendition did anything, reaching a lowly # 88. On the other hand, in 1959 Frank Sinatra "and a bunch of kids" had a # 30 with High Hopes from the film A Hole In The Head, and it too won the Academy Award as best song.

But, to make room for either or both of those would have required the producers to drop a couple. In my opinion they could have started with track 10. Although the Bernstein version did come from the soundtrack, his was an especially raucous presentation of a tune not pleasing to the ear, and one that, seemingly, everyone and his uncle attempted that year. These included Richard Maltby, who had the top-ranking version [# 14 compared to # 16 for Bernstein], Dick Jacobs, The McGuire Sisters, Billy May, Les Elgar, and Buddy Morrow - under varying titles from Molly-O to Delilah Jones.

But it would have been difficult to select another for deletion, as all were mega-hits. Tracks 1, 2, 4 to 6, and 8 all rose to # 1 and, combined, spent 32 weeks at that position. Track 3 topped out at # 5, but spent 39 weeks on the charts, while track 7 climbed to # 2 and stayed around for 37 weeks. The lowest charter, aside from track 10, was Jane Morgan's Fascination which, nevertheless, peaked at a quite respectable # 7.

So, all things considered, Rhino and Billboard came up with a neat little package supplemented by two pages of liner notes offering interesting snippets of information on each track. As always with those involved the sound reproduction is excellent.

In keeping with the trend to re-release some of those early 10-selection CDs and expanding the contents, this series would be a good choice to go to 15 or 18 tracks and bring in some of the selections by-passed the first time around.
1730083
This original 1958 album of the Four Lads ~ "Breezin' Along" is typical of the music they were known for.
Although the Lads charted three songs in 1958 & three more in 1959 ~ none were from this particular album.

The Four Lads are well remembered for some of their earlier releases ~ which are now considered classics.
"Moments to remember" ~ "No not much" ~ Standing on the corner" and "Who needs you"
are a few of the iconic songs their remembered for.

From their debut charted single in 1955 ~ "Moments to remember" to their last charted song "Happy anniversary" in 1959
the Four Lads scored 18 charted songs.

Side one is a bit more up-tempo and breezy while side two is smoother and more romantic.

Track listing
~~~ Side one ~~~
1. Breezin' along
2. That old feeling
3. Swingin' down the lane
4. Someone like you
5. You were meant for me
6. Hit the road to dreamland

~~~ Side two ~~~
1. Long ago (and far away)
2. That's me desire
3. Someone to watch over me
4. You may not be an angel
5. Come to me
6. A lovely way to spend an evening

This album was available in both monaural and stereo (stereo - CS 8035) and says "Stereo <==> Fidelity"
at the top of the album cover as is shown in the current above Amazon picture of album.
591604
House songs in the early 1990's were repetitive, and sometimes a bit cheesy.  AND THEY WERE GREAT!

This song is a classic house song. If you don't know the name of the group, you are left in the cold. What I mean is, that the trail to find this wonderful song goes cold.  I have loved this song for literally over a DECADE and just recently found out who makes this song, thanks to perserverance and luck.

Why this isn't played more on the radio blows my mind. It is an "oldie" but a goodie.

I am not really writing this to appeal to new listeners of this song, because you already know about this song if you are seeing it.  I am so happy to have found this song once again!

The reason for not being able to find this song is that I couldn't understand what the main lyrics were saying! It is fast and the words are blurred a bit.

Yay to everyone who found this!
240803
GREAT Oldies Song... This is one you will never get tired of.  You will want to keep playing it.  The tune is quite catchy and the love song lyrics really grab you.  Its just a classic that will live on in your heart and mind..
4200271
One of so many classic songs from the past.  The melody carried by each member of the group is great.
3897005
Rare, Vintage, Well-Recorded Zoot!
Other than Morning Fun, his best Fifties CD.  Recorded at a private session in pianist Joe Castro's wife's mansion, on the finest available recording equipment of the day, at 15 ips, this thing swings its ass off.  Doesn't sound like one  of those well-rehearsed Blue Notes... more like a Prestige blowing session... but right there, just a notch below Cookin' and Relaxin'.  I saw this once for over $50.
2062586
Helmut Lotti takes on the big ones from the 1940s and 1950s, with "The Crooners" CD and DVD and adds 12 of his own songs, eqaully -- if not better -- than those the old crooners made famous. His rendition of "Moon River" is every bit as good as Andy Williams sang it, better in my opinion. The mini-movies of "Catarina" and other Perry Como songs are delightful with scenes shot in Tuscany, Italy. Is there any song Helmut can't sing better than the original? I don't think so. He gives all songs an emotional quality not heard the first time around and that is why millions adore him. Don't miss "The Crooners"!
2521018
great song  has classic oldies sound.  no music beats the true singers of the 50,60and the 70's
3957099
While Paul Anka never looked like he could be a rock and roll idol he certainly had a huge career in the 50's.  This is a good recording of all of his early hits, most of which he wrote himself. If you were a fan you will enjoy this disc
2457974
Frankie Valli was one of the most popular singers  of our generation. He and Bob Crewe and Bob Gaudio wrote so many popular songs that you would be shocked if you knew them all. This was one of my sisters most favorite songs. It was a number one top Billboard Hot 100 songs on November 17, 1962 and stayed number 1 for 5 weeks.

It is a great song sung mostly in falsetto. I like the song and it is a classic for the 1960s. Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons were one of the best singing groups of all time. I like this song and I rated it 5 stars.

When you grow up listening to this type of music you soon become a fan of such great singers like Frankie Valli.
1070911
great song and a forgotten last top 40 hit for dennis yost and the classics IV.  This is the original version so it makes this even better
3481009
Gene Pitney's music spanned an important period in American music history.  It must have been 1959 or 1960 when I sat in study hall and listened to "....I'm going to love my life away.." on my transistor radio (quietly).  "Town Without Pity" was used to great effect in that Kirk Douglas movie and "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" in 1962 underlined the point of that great movie with so many familiar faces of the time. "Only Love Can Break a Heart" is a touching classic.  There was a lull in the mid-60s, when after a lot of hits, we didn't hear any more of them from Gene but, then came "She's a Heartbreaker" (which I still have the 45 vinyl of).  I seem to recall after that,his singing a duet with a country singer of the day(Tom T. Hall?), then nothing.  If you see this, Gene, we'd love to see you again. For whomever else may read this, I heartily recommend this compilation.
4202865
TAKES ME BACK TO MY TEEN YEARS THE 1950'S ME AND MY PAL'S SANG ALL THE TOP SONGS OF THE WEEK