Search - Peggy Lee :: Capitol Collector's Series

Refreshing, Poppy, and Crystal Clear

Melissa Shepherd | Alabama | 12/27/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's hard to "sing like Peggy Lee", and hard to find a better album to exemplify such an understated style and phrasing, yet with such vocal punch. Detractors from Miss Lee's work often cite vocal greatness to be found in the form of the "shrieker" such as Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, and Maria Muldaur, dated and tired examples of excessively loud, out of control, have to belt and trill or they can't sing it artists. What she doesn't say is as important as what she does. Peggy shows that she knew how to make great music before the Tramp came along."

Peggy steps out of the shadows

Peter Durward Harris | Leicester England | 01/10/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Peggy first made an impact as a singer with Benny Goodman's band (where she replaced the excellent but largely forgotten Helen Forrest) before committing herself to a solo career. This collection covers Peggy's early solo recordings from 1945 to 1950 and it shows that Peggy was a brilliant ballad singer but that she could also swing to good effect - there are some fantastic up-tempo songs here. As with all collections titled Capitol collectors series, this comes with copious liner notes including recording dates and American chart information.Then, as in any era, the biggest hits are not always the songs that stand the test of time best. The only number one hit here is Manana, an upbeat, fun song of a type that was popular in those days but is generally dismissed now as a novelty song. Caramba it's the Samba (a top twenty hit) is another song of a similar type. In their way, they are great songs that I really enjoy, but I can understand why a lot of people don't like them. If necessary, you can skip them - there are 25 songs here in total and most of them are classy songs from the finest songwriters available.Apart from Manana, the biggest hits here are Golden earrings (a ballad typical of Peggy) and Ghost riders in the sky (a western song that is not typical of Peggy, but which she does brilliantly). Both of those peaked at number two. Waiting for the train to come in, I don't know enough about you, It's all over now, Chi-baba and The old master painter (a duet with Mel Torme) all made the top ten and every one is a masterpiece. Some of Peggy's finest songs of the period didn't make the top ten. I particularly like I'll dance at your wedding, It's a good day and Don't smoke in bed.There is a bewildering selection of compilations of Peggy's music, some covering particular periods and others spanning her whole career. Despite that, there aren't many that confine themselves to her early years. If you just want a single CD of Peggy's forties music, this is the one to buy. It has all her big hits from the period."

Mañana ain't soon enough for me--BRAVO, PEGGY LEE !!!

Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 01/14/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Capitol Collectors Series, Vol. 1: The Early Years gives us an excellent CD of some of Peggy Lee's best work from early on in her career. Peggy Lee was a huge sensation and she deserved all the praise she received; she was a true artist and we are all better off for her having shared her talents with us. The quality of the sound is excellent and the artwork is good but relatively standard for this CD series.



The CD starts with Peggy performing "Waitin' For The Train To Come In;" this late World War II number was a number so many women could identify with as they waited for their men to return from wars overseas. Peggy delivers this with a lot of sensuality and that's grand. "I Don't Know Enough About You" is another most romantic number with a catchy rhythm and Peggy easily aces this straight out of the ballpark! "I Don't Know Enough About You" is clearly a major highlight of this album. "It's A Good Day" is a peppy little tune that I always enjoy when Peggy Lee sings it; and "It's A Good Day" is a song I'm sure you'll like if you haven't heard it before. There's also "Chi-Baba, Chi-Baba (My Bambino Go To Sleep);" this was a very popular song in the `40s and Peggy makes this all her own with her incredible sense of timing; and her excellent diction bolsters her performance even more.



"Golden Earrings" was a number Peggy loved to sing; this romantic song shines bright as Peggy outdoes even herself on this tune. "Mañana (Is Soon Enough For Me)" initially angered some people but after Peggy and her husband David Balfour explained that they merely wanted to celebrate the easy-going lifestyle of the Spanish people things calmed down pretty quickly. We also get sound clips of Peggy being coached somewhat in the performance of this tune; and I like this rarely heard recording of "Mañana (Is Soon Enough For Me)." "Why Don't You Do Right (Get Me Some Money Too)" has that classy big band sound; and there's another gem when Peggy Lee sings "Don't Smoke In Bed." "Don't Smoke In Bed" is a classic pop vocal if there ever was one; and Peggy executes this with panache.



"Baby, Don't Be Mad At Me" has great percussion as Peggy sings this very sweetly; and listen for Peggy's haunting rendition of "Bali Ha'i." "Bali Ha'i" and "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Out Of My Hair" come from the famous show and movie South Pacific; Peggy finesses these tunes to perfection with her sensitivity and a certain brilliance that only Peggy had.



"Riders In The Sky (A Cowboy Legend)" was another tune Peggy made famous; and the CD ends strong with Peggy Lee performing "Show Me The Way To Get Out Of This World ('Cause That's Where Everything Is)." This is the first time I've ever heard this tune and it really impresses me--Peggy Lee does a wonderful job on this number.



Capitol Collectors Series, Vol. 1: The Early Years by Peggy Lee is a great starter CD for people just discovering the artistry of Peggy Lee; and it's also a fine single CD compilation of her early work. If you like this I suggest you get other CDs by Peggy Lee which are available for sale on this website.

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