The Andrews Sisters sing a new song on Capitol Records
Paul A. Tassone | Glenwood, NSW , Australia | 08/03/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The Andrews Sisters remain the most popular all girl singing group of all time. Their list of chart hits is astounding with their most popular years being the period of World War II when their peppy song style and numerous novelty songs struck a chord with a world weary with the strife and turmoil of war.
In the following decade their career declined somewhat and the group disbanded for a time. They left their record company, Decca, where they had enjoyed their unparalleled success and in the late 1950's began a brief association with Capitol Records. It is for this label that the two albums featured on this two-fer were recorded.
"Sing The Dancing 20's" is the best of the two and more typical of the group's style featuring 12 tunes from the 1920's that are mainly novelties. The tight harmonies and humour of the group is best suited to this material and the album is a delight. "Fresh And Fancy Free" is more serious in tone and features an interesting array of tunes in a more sophisticated vein. While some of the material here is not typical Andrews Sisters fare it is still worth hearing though not as engaging or light-hearted as its partner on the disc. Both albums were recorded under baton of Billy May whose sly sense of humour is heard in the fine charts he provides for the sisters.
The Andrews Sisters would record other selections for Capitol including new versions of some of their greatest hits. Here's hoping that more of that material will be released on CD in the near future. My own wish would be to see all the girl's Decca sides reissued in a deluxe box set as their work for the label is among the most historic of the 20th Century.
My advice: for fans of the Andrews Sisters this CD is a must as well as for fans of great singing with a sense of humour from the 1950's."
Bravo
C.A. Arthur | Tacoma, Washington | 09/21/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Billy May and the Andrew Sisters. This veteran listener had never heard the cuts, and they are wonderful. Funny, inventive, beautiful, and clever. Mostly, just a lot of fun. Don't miss this one."