Search - Peter Allen :: 20th Century Masters: Millennium Collection

PETER ALLEN = 2OTH CENTURY MASTER!!

Bradly Briggs | TOLUCA LAKE, CALIFORNIA | 09/17/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Peter Allen is by far the greatest of the incredibly talented who have been strangely overlooked yet possess the extraordinary qualities that clearly make him a once in a lifetime talented legend. Anyone who was lucky enough to experience this exceptional singer/songwriter live in concert know that Peter Allen is at the very top of the list of all time greats and this collection also shows this brilliance in the wonderful recorded work that Mr. Allen left behind!! This very special 20th Century Masters- The Millennium Collection is a great starting point for anyone wondering what this wonderful legend is all about and it is guaranteed that those who love supremely talented artists will fall in love and seek out all of Peter's classic masterpieces that this awesome collection is drawn from! Peter Allen was at his peak when "BI-COASTAL" was released and two great ones from this masterwork start off this set and give one a clue how incredibly soulful and rhythmic Peter is and that he is second to none in the male singer/songwriter musical world. Next is the riveting roof raising masterpiece "I GO TO RIO" followed by the passionate classic standard "DON'T CRY OUT LOUD" and both of these great songs were concert highlights that show Peters incredible range and versatility and always drew standing ovations from an adoring sold-out crowd-we were the lucky ones!!! "EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN" is a fun trip back to the vaudeville days that even Bing Crosby enjoyed but Peter doing this in concert with the audience joining in was a joy beyond belief..."THE MORE I SEE YOU" shows that Peter could do definitive versions of others compositions and his own "I HONESTLY LOVE YOU" is the definitive version that he sings so deep and soulfully with a brilliant vocal that builds to a stunning finale. "I COULD HAVE BEEN A SAILOR" is a stirring soulful athem that is sung with so much passion and vocal prowess that cover versions don't even come close to this original powerful performance. "QUIET PLEASE, THERE'S A LADY ON STAGE" is one of Peter's greatest TOUR-DE-FORCE CLASSICS that was so incredibly wonderful to watch in concert that the audience levitated into a full and frenzied standing ovation every time that lasted for an extended period of time. "I'D RATHER LEAVE WHILE I'M IN LOVE" is haunting and revealing by Peter and equally so is the great version by another overlooked legend DUSTY SPRINGFIELD who turns this gorgeous balled inside out! In 1982 Peter and Dusty played the GREEK THEATRE on what had to be one of the most inspired greatest double bills in history...they were both in superb form and received too many standing ovations to count!!! Closing this wonderous collection is the old chestnut "JUST A GIGIOLO" and Peter makes this classic his own with no other version ever comming even close! Thankfully we have a great station in Los Angeles that plays classics such as Peter Allen and Judy Garland who both seem to be banned otherwise by radio and that is KLAC...I have waited for years for a station who plays real talent and they are it!!! We miss you Peter...don't miss this peerless collection in this vast series-Peter Allen is truly the ultimate 20th Century Master!!!"

MR.ENERGY

Matthew G. Sherwin | 06/15/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I WAS ABLE TO SEE MR.ALLEN SEVERAL TIMES AND EACH TIME I WALKED
AWAY WITH A WONDERFUL FEELING OF JOY, HE WAS A MASTER AT HIS
CRAFT. ALSO,WAS ABLE TO SEE HIS ALL TO SHORT BROADWAY SHOW LEGS
DIAMOND. HE IS SADLY MISSED BY MANY. AND NO ONE WILL EVER FILL
HIS SHOES. THE YOUTH OF TODAY DON'T EVEN KNOW WHO HE WAS, AND THAT IS SAD. MAYBE THEY'LL LOOK UP SOME OF HIS SONGS AND SONGS
HE WROTE FOR OTHER SINGERS I HAVE MOST OF HIS CD'S AND I PLAY
THEM ALL THE TIME TO GET MYSELF UP AND GOING."

Peter Allen: a powerful artist whose work cannot be ignored

Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 02/11/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Peter Allen recorded many songs throughout his career and he deserves more credit than he received for his fine music and singing. This CD offers us just a small sampling of Peter Allen's fine work. The sound is crisp and clear, too.



The CD starts with the song "Bi-Coastal." This song boasts a great rock/pop quality to it and tells us about someone who lives on both coasts of the United States. The melody is infectiously catchy and you will feel happy with just one listen. Great! The CD then turns around for a distinctly R&B flavored ballad entitled "Fly Away." Peter sings about the special person in his life who helps him whenever he truly needs help. He also dreams of a special place where he can be alone with his partner.



"I Go To Rio" has a magnificent musical arrangement and Peter's delivery shines. He sings of Rio as a place where he can celebrate life and love. Much like "Bi-Coastal," "I Go To Rio" also boasts a pop flavor to it and an infectiously catchy melody. Awesome!



Other great songs on this CD include "Don't Cry Out Loud;" the classic love ballad "I Honestly Love You" and "I'd Rather Leave While I'm In Love."



"Everything Old Is New Again" deserves special mention. I think this song my favorite number on this CD. On the surface "Everything Old Is New Again" could refer to how fashion styles inevitably come full circle so that everything that was formerly chic is back in style. A careful listen, however, clearly indicates that the song is really about a man reigniting a romantic flame with his former lady friend. The melody parallels the lyrics as the musical arrangement is so similar to the ones employed in classic pop vocals. And how's about that piano? SMILE



Another song worthy of special attention is the touching tribute to Peter's former mother-in-law, Judy Garland. "Quiet Please, There's A Lady On Stage" honors Garland as an unforgettable chanteuse who gave blood with each and every performance she ever gave. The song also encourages people to remember Judy Garland fondly. Peter Allen wants us to celebrate Judy's life because of her immense contributions to the arts. "Quiet Please, There's A Lady On Stage" is an immensely touching tribute with a beautiful musical arrangement. The arrangement makes very good use of the piano as well.



The album ends with a rather sad and slow paced rendition of "Just A Gigolo (Schöner Gigolo)." The musical arrangement for the piano shines as Peter Allen performs this with great sensitivity. Peter's vocals and the arrangement make "Just A Gigolo (Schöner Gigolo)" a strong and memorable ending for this album.



I normally dislike 20th Century Masters' refusal to put enough material on the disc. However, instead of the normal anemic and cheap 31 minute stopwatch schedule 20th Century Masters adds a song or two here. This CD clocks in at 41 minutes and I enjoyed Peter Allen's music so much that I will give this album five stars.



The liner notes have great photos of Peter Allen and you get the song credits, too. Tony Sachs contributes a fine essay about Peter's career as well.



I highly recommend this for Peter Allen fans and people who want to become better acquainted with Peter's work would do well to get this CD. Persons who enjoy contemporary pop vocals will enjoy this CD, too. Great job, Peter! We miss you very much!

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