Oooh, how sweet this is !!!
Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 04/05/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Classic Hits And Golden Memories is a fine three CD set that gives us a whopping forty-two songs by those marvelous Fontane Sisters! They sang and harmonized beautifully as so few other sister acts ever could; and they deserve so much more recognition that they receive these days. The quality of the sound on the three CDs is excellent and I really like that artwork.
The first CD has much to offer. "The Tennessee Waltz" starts things of with a very sweet rendition of a ballad I usually associate with Patti Page. However, I would like to think that Patti would be proud of The Fontane Sisters' rendition of this classic ballad. "I Wanna Be Loved" has a very lush arrangement that even sports a background chorus; The Fontane Sisters bat this out with all their hearts and souls. Great! "Rhumba Boogie" is a peppy little tune that The Fontane Sisters perform with lots of enthusiasm and they never let go of a superfluous note! The Fontane Sisters were born to sing songs like "Rhumba Boogie;" and how's about that piano arrangement? "When I Dream" has a somewhat Latin flavor to it that charms me with its beauty; and we also get three bonus tracks with Perry Como joining The Fontane Sisters. In particular, I really like "I Wanna Go Home (With You)" and "To Know You (Is To Love You)." Perry Como and The Fontane Sisters did some their best work together and just one listen proves it.
The second CD continues the hits. "If You Would Only Be Mine" is a charmer if there ever was one; what a terrific beginning for this second CD! "The Price I Paid For Loving You" features The Fontane Sisters squarely front and center. The male backup vocalists enhance the number--not that The Fontane Sisters ever really needed it; but they all sound pretty good anyway. "The Price I Paid For Loving You" also has quite a fine melody. "Falling" uses the brass to great advantage and The Fontane Sisters sing this wonderfully. "Falling" is a very sweet tune about the joys of falling in love with a very special someone; and that's grand. Listen also for "Till Then;" "Till Then" gets a spirited treatment from this sister act; they sing this out strong and their voices are as clear as bells! I love it. "Happy Days And Lonely Nights" has great piano work to go with the sisters as they sing this; and "Willow Weep For Me" is another fine tune that The Fontane Sisters infuse with lots of genuinely felt passion.
There's even more on the third CD! The CD starts with "Hearts Of Stone;" this has a country flavor to it and it all holds its own very well. "Rock Love" shows The Fontane Sisters trying their hand at a melody with a very early rock and roll flavor; and they do a good job on this tune! The male backup singers enhance the number--and how's about that horn solo with that creative percussion? "Playmates" is a very sweet tune; and I particularly enjoy hearing these sisters perform "If I Could Be With You (One Hour Tonight)." "If I Could Be With You (One Hour Tonight)" is a major highlight of the third CD; The Fontane Sisters handle this with grace and style. The melody is very pretty and the strings are used very well in the arrangement. Moreover, "Adorable" gets another very early rock and roll style ballad flavor; and the third CD ends strong with The Fontane Sisters performing a novelty song entitled "Nuttin' For Christmas." This Christmas novelty song is all in good fun and it actually rounds out the three CD set very nicely.
The Fontane Sisters were one powerful trio; I love to hear them sing all these years later. I highly recommend this for their fans; and people who enjoy classic pop vocals will enjoy this three CD set as well.
"
The Fontane Sisters
B. Feldscher | Northern California | 08/23/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This music recaptures the happy memories, feelings and dreams of my youth, bringing those whom I knew and loved at that time into clearer focus."
Track Listings (42) - Disc #1