Search - Dick Haymes :: Keep It Simple

A Good Haymes Legacy

haridam | Cleveland, OH United States | 11/08/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The man who succeeded Sinatra as a big band singer possessed an equal vocal instrument. An absolutely gorgeous baritone held great potential as an all-time great artist.Unfortunately, Dick Haymes' downfall was due to a lack of good solid vocal training . . . not coaching, but vocal lessons. That's where Sinatra had the good sense early on, and even in his mature years: he sought and received solid technique which, along with his early bandsinger experience, held him well through his career.Even on this very enjoyable and beautiful cd, one can hear one missed opportunity after the next. Haymes' decision to take on the mid-50's style of throwing away the last word or line prevented him from sinking into the center of the pitch, of obtaining full resonance and sostenuo qualities. His tendency to close rather than keep open diphthongs deprived the listener from being thrilled by his full voice. His choice of rhythmic stylisms were often more mechanical than heartfelt--more musical posturings than emotional expressions. It's no accident that Haymes didn't achieve the fame of many other great singers of the 20th century. His downer life experiences probably didn't help his vocal craft either. Yet, this is what's left--some very good recordings, offering the musical legacy of one of the truly great vocal instruments of the century, nicely sung, with a sparse background that leaves nowhere to hide vocally. Perhaps that's the point of Haymes: a lesser singer with a golden voice, in a program of beautiful ballads. He gives these his all, and this is the best he has to offer. Myself, I enjoy the recording when taken for what it is: a legacy of not only a gifted vocal artist but also representative of a rich period in American popular music."

SAVED THE BEST FOR LAST

Rosemary E. Lloyd | Elberon,, NJ United States | 01/15/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"From MISSMOOHERSELF@Excite.com (find out more about me). I've been a Dick Haymes fan for 20 years, ever since I heard him sing "Old Man River." But when an acquaintence of mine told me about "Keep It Simple," (then titled "As Time Goes By"), he didn't tell me that the late great Dick Haymes saved the best for last. This CD has more than the original LP and frankly, they could have been deleted. But the songs with which I'm familiar from the old album are fantastic. Haymes' smooth, deeply felt renditions of "Emily," "I Love You, Samantha," "Last Night When We Were Young" make me glad to know the "old" songs still stand the test of time. And the Loonis-McGlohan Trio's background music enhances an already fine album. This is a MUST have album for any fan of Dick Haymes or of standards that actually require TALENT to sing. The only sad thing is that there will be no more Dick Haymes albums (except reissues) since he passed away 20 years ago from lung cancer."

A Great Change of Pace.......

C. Rupert | Kansas City aka Jazzland | 10/17/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"........for Dick Haymes. Would be 5 stars except I don't think the song selection is the best. But I love the small group backing and the quality that age has added to Mr. Haymes' great voice. You won't be disappointed."