28 GREAT TRACKS FROM PATTI 1948-52!
Bill Busse | Fairmont, MN United States | 08/06/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"WOW! 28 tracks, 22 hits, 9 million sellers, 4 number 1 hits all within the first 5 years of Patti's Mercury hit years.
BUT the greatest thing about this collection is the inclusion of great Patti sides that were not necessarily chart toppers and the inclusion (for the first time on cd) of the correct single master of RETREAT, CRIES MY HEART. Patti's recording of CABARET, bluesy-torchy as can be and the totally swingin' WHISPERING (with great sax break) were originally released on Mercury 5290 in 1949 with Mitch Miller and orch.
They were again released as Mercury 5707 in 1951. Neither side charted but have remained great examples of the range of Patti's way with a song. This collection also includes two totally swingin' renditions of standards backed by a small combo: I LOVE YOU BECAUSE and LONG,LONG AGO. Neither side has been available since the original singles (flip sides of Mockin' Bird Hill and Tennessee Waltz, respectively). Also included is Patti's pop rendition of the R&B hit ONE SWEET LETTER, including a rare duet with manager and orchestra leader Jack Rael (the flipside of And So to Sleep Again).
RETREAT, CRIES MY HEART has only been available on one Patti Page hits collection but that collection included the master without the overdubs. The correct single hit is here.This collection has very good liner notes including matrix number, single release number.recording date and usually the Billboard chart data. The chart data however is missing for BACK IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD No. 23
EVERTRUE, EVERMORE No. 24
THESE THINGS I OFFER YOU No. 26
RETREAT CRIES MY HEART No. 22
I did not give this 5 stars because the sound quality of SOME of the cuts is not as good as the sound of these cuts on other collections. But overall this is a great addition to the early recordings of Patti Page.
When you put this with SO IN LOVE-Flare ROYCD 232, you have a marvelous overview of Patti's first years on Mercury, the years during which she became the best selling female vocalist in the USA as well as one of the top sellers around the world.
Patti fans will have to have this collection. If you've wanted to look into Patti's early years but are unfamiliar with them, these two collections are a great way to start."
Fine collection of early hits and great ballads from Patti P
Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 09/17/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Patti Page fans will be delighted to hear this fine CD of twenty eight (yes, twenty eight) of her finest hits and other great ballads from the earlier years of her career. The recordings are monophonic but what we do get is excellent material all the way!!!
The CD starts with "All My Love-Bolero." The horns start the Latin themed ballad; and Patti's voice is rich, warm and vibrant. Great! "The Tennessee Waltz" easily became one of Patti Page's best hits ever; Patti sings this with panache and great sensitivity. Patti sings this classic ballad about a friend stealing her boyfriend without a superfluous note--great! "The Tennessee Waltz" has a musical arrangement that uses the horns, piano and percussion to create a stunning melody. Moreover, "Cabaret" starts with a beautiful horn solo; and when Patti comes in this romantic number takes flight! Patti swings ever so gently to make "Cabaret" shine like gold in her care!
"I Don't Care If The Sun Don't Shine" features Patti's marvelous vocals squarely in the spotlight as she sings this classic ballad. This playful tune has Patti singing of how she loves her romantic time alone with her man. Patti handles the tempo changes like a pro, too! "Once In A While" stuns me with its beauty as Patti sings of how she hopes her man will still remember her fondly even though he has moved on to another love. "Once In A While" is a tender ballad that reveals the vulnerable side we all share as humans in the game of love. I predict you will enjoy "Once In A While" very, very much.
"Down The Trail Of Achin' Hearts" showcases one of Patti's earlier country type ballads; Patti sings melancholy love song this to perfection and the elegant arrangement for the piano bolsters the number. "Mister And Mississippi" gives us a cute, humorous number that Patti delivers very well; and "Come What May" features a fantastic male backup chorus to help Patti's performance shine brighter than the sun! "I Went To Your Wedding" also has a country feel to it and Patti Page delivers this like the pro that she remains even today! Patti sings of how she is saddened that her one true love marries another.
"Why Don't You Believe Me?" stuns me with its beauty; Patti and her male backup chorus sing this to perfection. "Why Don't You Believe Me?" is easily a highlight of this album. The final track, entitled "That Doggie In The Window" quickly became another Patti Page standard. Patti sings this playful ballad about how she wants to buy her man a dog--because, after all, dogs are "man's best friend." The "doggie sound effects" impress me, too.
The liner notes include an informative essay by Paul F. Roth; and we also get the credits and recording dates for each song. The artwork reflects good judgment.
When Patti Page started to entertain, a star was born. Patti Page fans will consider this CD to be a "must-have" for their collections; and anyone wanting to get acquainted with Patti's sublime artistry would do well to get this CD.
Enjoy!
"
Track Listings (28) - Disc #1