Another nice ASV/Living Era collection
Bruce R. Gilson | Wheaton, MD United States | 09/30/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Gordon MacRae was not the most famous male vocalist of his era, but he had a good voice and it is nice to see this collection. His greatest fame came in collaboration with Jo Stafford, and fortunately this CD has a dozen MacRae/Stafford duets.
All the songs were recorded in the period from 1947 to 1950. As is typical of the era, many were also recorded by other artists, and are better known in those other versions, like Doris Day's "It's Magic" and Perry Como's "A - You're Adorable." However, a few songs in the collection, like the MacRae/Stafford record of "Whispering Hope," were big hits in their own right.
The period included a 1948 musicians' strike, and so some tracks, like "Bluebird of Happiness" are done without instrumental backing. This makes for an unusual sound, but one I like.
All told, this is a pleasant sounding collection."
We Miss You....
Sein Hawk | Indianapolis, IN | 11/02/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Good ol Gordon. We miss your sparkling smile and melodic bellowing out whatever the explosive musical emotion required. None was better. Unfortunately, this disc does not do you justice. A soft-voiced crooner you were never. But that's the main offering here. We still love you. But this is not the best of you. Thanks anyway. Nostalgia is also nice.
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