Search - Doris Day :: Sentimental Journey / Latin for Lovers

DAY'S DIVERSE DUO DELIGHTS!

Paul Brogan | Portsmouth, NH United States | 12/31/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Two of Doris Day's best albums from the 60's were the 1963 "Latin for Lovers" and the 1965 "Sentimental Journey". They are combined here and they present a tuneful example of Day's range as a vocalist after well over twenty years of performing professionally, at the time the albums were recorded.
"Latin for Lovers" clearly shows Doris Day's affinity for this kind of music and she certainly delivers the goods. In fact she so enjoyed doing this album that 8 years later she re-did a couple of numbers as part of an unforgettable medley she performed with guest Perry Como on her highly rated 1971 special for CBS.
There is a sweetness and heartfelt urgency to Day's singing of such tunes as "Fly Me to the Moon", "Quiet Nights and Quiet Stars" and "Slightly Out of Tune". Her warmth and phrasing are especially effective on the haunting "Meditation" and "Be Mine Tonight". On a livelier note, she delightfully delivers "Dansero" and "Por Favor". There is a seductive insinuation clearly evidenced by her sterling "Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps" which fans of the film "Strictly Ballroom" will recognize from that film's soundtrack.
"Latin for Lovers" is one of the most romantic albums Day ever recorded and the perfect addition to a quiet evening of candlelight and whispers.
In 1965 Doris Day recorded an album that was a decided throwback to her big band days of the 1940's. She had been one of the most accomplished Big Band singers, first with Bob Crosby (Bing's brother) and latter with Les Brown and his Band of Renown. "Sentimental Journey" was a warm remembrance of that era and a clear indication of how Day's vocal expertise had improved through the years.
There is a wonderful selection of music associated with the 1940's and Miss Day seems to revel in the opportunity to bring her inimitable style and vocal skills to them. "The More I see You", "Come to Baby Do", "At Last", "I Remember You" and "Serenade in Blue" are given lush treatments by Day and the rich orchestrations on this album. "I'm Beginning to See The Light" has a decidedly jazzy edge to it which works well and there's a great medley of "I Had The Craziest Dream"/"I Don't Want to Walk Without You".
Miss Day and the Brown Orchestra scored their first Gold Record together for the classic 1945 song, "Sentimental Journey". Twenty years later Day sings it on this album with a wistful and insightful emotion as though reflecting back upon all that had transpired in the years since originally recording the classic.
Nearly twenty years before Linda Ronstadt reopened the public's ears to the memorable music of an earlier era, Day did it with this album.
This CD is definitely worth adding to your collection for the diversity it presents and the obvious feeling Day put into both of these efforts. Incidently, "Journey" was the last album Day recorded for Columbia after more than twenty years with the label. It's a fitting swan song for the woman who sold countless millions of records for them."

Voice without peers

Volken | Europe | 06/25/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I remembered her voice as just one of those flashy voices from Hollywood movies.Alas,those were mostly in mono and simply had yet to discover the true virtue of her voice.Then in Amsterdam I found some great soundtracks with old works from Henry Mancini.Next to his works was some this rather shy album of Doris Day.When I heard her interpretation of * Three coins in the fountain & Quiet nights of quiet stars *,I couldn't believe my ears. Her voice has such profound timbre with such grade delicacy of
the acoustic instrument, one just brought to life by finest artisan alive. Her voice is so vibrant and resonant like any voice I have heard before.I asked my friends at my home to listen some music on my system and I asked them who is finest female voice on the planet? Some said Billie Holiday , Ella Fitzgerald....list goes on.With some reservation I said for me it is from now on Doris Day.
Needles to say that made them laugh until they have heard sheer delicacy of her voice.Without any reservation,with experience in classical music and Jazz, her voice is among finest voices, period. It is a great pity that she didn't extend range of her materials more into demanding materials of Jazz standards. I'm scare to think what kind of the treat that would be.Her voice is like a finest High-End audio instrument, depending only on quality of material. If you treat the same with care it will reward you with delight. Ribbon speaker owners and those with generally fine systems, listen for these two songs on
this album. It will define you standards, what can you expect in human voice. In this case. exquisite,profound and unique voice of Doris Day.In today mediocrity of quality in almost every sphere of human awareness,let her voice remind you that some things posses a true substance."

One word is all I need: Beautiful!

Bruce R. Gilson | Wheaton, MD United States | 06/24/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is not the first Doris Day CD someone should buy; you should start with one of her greatest-hits CDs such as "Golden Girl" (which I've earlier reviewed). But if, after listening to this, you decide you want to hear more of that great voice, this should be one to get early. It's truly a beautiful example of what Doris could do.Most of Doris Day's big hits were in the 1950s; this CD represents a Doris Day of about 10 years later. It is a combination of two LPs which she recorded two months apart in 1964 and Columbia released (the second-recorded one first!) in 1965. So it's a slightly more mature Doris Day, but just as nice to listen to as the Doris of the 1950s.The two LPs combined in this CD are actually two quite different sets of tunes. "Doris Day's Sentimental Journey" consists of a collection of songs that were old standards even in 1964, plus a remake of her very first hit, the title tune of the album, done in a rather different style from the 1940s version. "Latin for Lovers" contains a number of songs that were mostly fairly new in 1964 (some of which might be called standards now!) with Latin origins. (Some were composed by the man who introduced the bossa nova to the USA, Antonio Carlos Jobim.) Only one of the songs on "Latin for Lovers" was one I'd heard Doris do: "Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps" ("Quizas, Quizas, Quizas" in the original Spanish). All the songs on both LPs, now on one CD, reminded me of why I've always considered Doris my favorite singer; every single one is done beautifully.What more can I say? Of course it gets 5 stars! I wish I could give it six!"