Search - Glenn Miller, Bing Crosby, Doris Day :: Hits of '45

Superb album of hits from 1945

Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 06/10/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Hits of '45 is an excellent CD that has so much of the best music of 1945--it's a great collector's item and it's great for fans of that 1940s sound. The sound quality is really pretty good considering the age of these recordings; and the artwork is also nicely done.



Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra start things off big with their famous "Opus No. 1." "Opus No. 1" has an electrically charged swing beat and the music still sounds "hot" today! The brass is used to great advantage and the piano works in nicely, too. Many a couple danced to this tune! Doris Day follows with her hit entitled "Sentimental Journey;" many other singers did this one but when Doris sang it she truly made it all her own. Doris could really sing very well; she was underrated then and she still is now. Perry Como's "Till The End Of Time" has a fantastic piano arrangement that leaves you wanting more; and Perry croons this with all his heart and soul. Listen also for Bing Crosby to sing "I Can't Begin To Tell You" very well; despite the surface noise Bing's voice still sounds clear as a bell and he aces this easily.



Dick Haymes and Helen Forrest sing a rendition of "Together" that is absolutely heavenly; I love it! Carmen Cavallaro also makes good on "The More I See You;" Carmen sings this with panache and I'm very impressed. How's about that piano? There's also Ella Mae Morse doing more than just her very best on "Cow-Cow Boogie;" "Cow-Cow Boogie" was a most popular song in its time and it still sounds very catchy today. Great! Woody Herman & His Orchestra also do a remarkably good job of performing "Laura;" this tune from the movie of the same name is very, very beautiful and memorable at once.



Margaret Whiting, who was always a favorite of mine, sings "Moonlight In Vermont" with all heart and soul; "Moonlight In Vermont" sounds great when Margaret delivers this flawlessly! Just about the only singer who could do this one better would be Ella Fitzgerald. Glenn Miller & His Orchestra also do a great job on "Juke Box Saturday Night." "Juke Box Saturday Night" is a playful, catchy tune that I always enjoy and it's definitely a highlight of this album.



Ella Fitzgerald and The Ink Spots sing "I'm Beginning To See The Light" so very beautifully; this is a major highlight of this CD and I know you'll enjoy it very much. "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive" gets the royal treatment from Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters; and the CD ends strong with Richard Tauber performing "We'll Gather Lilacs." "We'll Gather Lilacs" is a very pretty tune and it makes a solid ending for this album.



Hits of '45 is certainly a very good CD for people who want to remember the great music of 1945. I highly recommend this album for these people; and people who like classic pop vocals and swing music will enjoy this CD as well.

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