Comprehensive compilation of British balladeer
Peter Durward Harris | Leicester England | 03/28/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Having reviewed a 25-track single CD some years ago, I was very pleased to see this double CD released. However, if you're a chart completist, please note that while that single CD (Very best of Ronnie Hilton) contains all of his UK hits, this compiulation omits three of them (Stars shine in your eyes, A woman in love, I may never pass this way again). Exactly why they were omitted, I can only guess. The cynic in me suggests that the record label wants to tempt people to buy both compilations. Surely not?
Born Adrian Hill, Ronnie Hilton was a popular British singer in the fifties and sixties. His stock-in-trade was the romantic ballad (althogh he was well capable of singing up-tempo material) and most of his big hits came before rock'n'roll took over the pop charts.
Like other British singers of the time, he relied heavily on American songs for his repertoire, scoring in his only UK number one with a Perry Como cover, No other love, in 1956. Ronnie thus prevented Heartbreak hotel (Elvis Presley) from being a British number one hit; it peaked at two. When Ronnie tried another Perry Como cover two years later (Magic moments), he was much less successful because the British public made Perry's version a number one hit. Apart from No other love, Ronnie had UK top ten hits with between 1954 and 1957 with I still believe, A blossom fell, Who are we and Around the world.
Perhaps the best song that Ronnie recorded was The wonder of you, a cover of a Ray Peterson song. Both Ronnie's and Ray's versions stalled just outside the UK top twenty in 1959, probably because people were more interested in rock'n'roll. It is therefore somewhat ironic that Elvis Presley, of all people, made this song his own in the summer of 1970, taking it to the top of the charts around the world.
Ronnie had eighteen UK hits altogether, all but three of them included here. If you enjoy romantic ballads, fifties style, you will surely enjoy Ronnie's music. Although often compared to Perry Como, the extensive liner notes suggest that his style is closer to Eddie Fishere's. As I write this, I haven't got any of Eddie's music so maybe I should rectify that situation."
GREAT SHOWCASE IN TRIBUTE TO ONE OF BRITAIN'S GREAT 50's VOC
A. POLLOCK | PLYMOUTH, DEVON United Kingdom | 07/24/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"
Unlike Matt Monro, UK's Ronnie Hilton failed to make much impact beyond British shores where he was a major Hit Parade contender from 1954 until 1957 and continued onwards with outstanding recordings and occasional hits until 1965. Personally I recall hearing Ronnie's first hit I STILL BELIEVE on the radio in late 1954 and was so impressed by the song and especially Ronnie's fine vocal qualities, I rushed to buy the record on impulse, to find another great song and performance of VENI VIDI VICI on the other side. Real value for money, and that old shellac 78 rpm. HMV recording still lingers in my attic after being played incessantly for weeks, especially when it hit the top of the Charts!
This comprehensive double-CD not only includes those two numbers but Ronnie's subsequent hits and other fine recordings which makes this compilation special as all fifty recordings demonstrate Ronnie's great vocal warmth and depth of lyrical understanding. Always considered a balladeer with WHO ARE WE? TWO DIFFERENT WORLDS, GOOD, BAD BUT BEAUTIFUL and THE WONDER OF YOU amongst his strongest numbers, his approach to standards LOVE WALKED IN, THEY CAN'T TAKE THAT AWAY FROM ME and MY BLUE HEAVEN also reveals a heartfelt strength of delivery. Ronnie's covers of songs from Broadway musicals include HEY THERE, YOUNG AND FOOLISH, ON THE STREET WHERE YOU LIVE and I'LL BUY YOU A STAR plus his big hit NO OTHER LOVE (stealing Perry Como's thunder in the UK) and are also prime ballad examples but I was totally unprepared for his being in-character as Tevye the milkman on the fun-filled IF I WERE A RICH MAN from FIDDLER ON THE ROOF which he obviously enjoyed recording.
Ronnie could also up the tempo and YELLOW ROSE OF TEXAS, MARCHING ALONG TO THE BLUES, MISSION BELL, HER HAIR WAS YELLOW and WHEN WILL THE GOOD APPLES FALL are amongst those with speedy novelty appeal, and the inclusion of Alma Cogan for the sprightly duet, IT'S ALL BEEN DONE BEFORE reveals a great spontaneity between them. Ronnie also had success with A WINDMILL IN OLD AMSTERDAM and DON'T LET THE RAIN COME DOWN which continue to render enjoyable kiddie charm for everyone. It also needs to be said that Frank Cordell was arranger/conductor during most of Ronnie's recording career and obviously had great understanding of his needs.
Ronnie Hilton fully deserves to be remembered as one of the Britain's best mid 50's home-grown talent and I sincerely hope this collection of his best work will refresh his status as such and perhaps bring forth more of his excellent recordings. Thanks EMI! More please!"
Track Listings (25) - Disc #1