Search - Maxene Andrews :: Maxene an Andrew Sister/Mangione Hinton

Hidden Star

Jim Andrews | Chicago, Illinois USA | 01/10/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"All three Andrews ladies had lead voices and could sing leads. The three voices were similar. But Patty's voice had more color and rang higher so she was chosen for the leads and wisely the group believed it essential for the public to hear and identify with one lead voice (an intelligent analysis reflected decades later in Motown's decision to select out lead singers in groups and give them special billing and not to alternate leads in groups usually). So most people aren't aware of Maxene's cool, dark voice, superb diction and excellent musicality. This is a wonderful album with a lot of variety, shifts in moods and surprises, all excellently arranged. Maxene handles everything with distinction but the ballads prove particularly outstanding. Laverne had a similar but thicker and slightly deeper voice but she also could have done a solo album. Why Decca hasn't gotten Patty's solos and duets with artists such as Bing Crosby (not to mention Bob Crosby) out I don't know and can't figure. It would selll big. She has more than 50 solo sides! She also recorded solo on Capitol. Get Maxene's album; you will enjoy it over and over."

Maxene Andrews 1985 Solo Album

Staysun | Downers Grove, IL USA | 03/22/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Maxene Andrews had the extraordinary good fortune to be one third of the "Andrews Sisters" singing act. She also had the distinct misfortune to be in the shadow of that "Andrews Sisters" act and her sister Patty's splendid center-stage persona and showbiz brilliance.
But following the reunion of Patty and Maxene in the 1974 Broadway musical, "Over Here!", Maxene blossomed into a terrific solo performer as she aged with grace and beauty and made many appearances as a solo performer to the end of her life in 1995. This album contains recordings from her solo concert material up to 1985. There is one rollicking "Andrews Sisters" medley and a separate, truly lovely, rendition of "Apple Blossom Time". One song from "Over Here!" is revived: "Where Did the Good Times Go?" The finest moments are probably the exquisite versions of two Irving Berlin songs, "Remember" and "How Deep is the Ocean?"
Hopefully, an album of Patty's solo material from the 1940's-1950's and her one-woman shows of later years will surface on CD. It appears there is no known solo material from LaVerne who died in 1967. With hindsight, this is a poignant farewell of twelve solo tracks from this Andrews Sister."