Search - Engelbert Humperdinck :: Collector's Edition

Mellow, fabulous classic standards

Alejandra Vernon | Long Beach, California | 12/25/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Also released by the Madacy label under the title of "An Evening with...", this compillation is mellow and marvelous, with a touch of jazzy cool, and is an unusual Engelbert CD collection because it does not include any of the songs that made him famous, and has arrangements one would be more likely to find in a Tony Bennett recording, with its jazz piano woven through the lushness of the strings. The songs are melodic, gorgeous standards from the 1930s and '40s, sung with tender artistry, with even two lovely Latin treasures, Agustin Lara's "Solamente Una Vez", translated as "You Belong to My Heart", and "Quiereme Mucho", translated as "Yours".



Favorites for me are a soft and lovely "The Very Thought of You", and an exquisite rendition of "I'll Be Seeing You".

Though Engelbert's voice doesn't have quite the purity and fullness of his youth here, he still has a vibrant, wonderful sound and enormous range, and a great depth of emotion.

This is a terrific CD set for Engelbert fans, with a heavenly collection of songs, sung to perfection. No liner notes or recording information is included in the package (which consists of 2 separate jewel cases in a slip box), and the cover gives the impression that it is a live recording, which it isn't. Total playing time for Vol. I is 40'09, and Vol. II 43'54, making this a good value for the price as well.

"