Search - Ted Weems :: Ted Weems - Greatest Hits

Could Have Been So Much Better

Matthew G. Sherwin | 08/31/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"When putting this together Collector's Choice had 36 hits to choose from which Ted Weems put onto the charts between 1922 and 1948. But in a 24-selection set they give us just 15. Tracks 2, 3, 12, 14, 17, 19, 20, 22 and 24 were not hits for Ted.



I also doubt very much that the the others represent the original versions of his hits - mostly from the 1920s and 1930s - and are, rather, re-recordings done later in the 1940s."

Fine CD from Ted Weems, his band and great vocalists--even i

Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 01/04/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Ted Weems - Greatest Hits is a CD with a number of very big hits by Ted Weems and His Band; although I have to agree with the reviewer who writes that some of Ted's bigger hits are missing from this compilation. On the other hand, the music we get on this CD is actually all very good; and it proves that Ted Weems had talent. The quality of the sound is rather good and the artwork is well done. The liner notes include an informative essay as well.



"Somebody Stole My Gal" begins the album with a great Ted Weems tune. You can tell this is an older recording but it's been cleaned up very nicely. The horns work well for the musical arrangement and I think you'll enjoy this number. Then comes "My Cutey's Due At Two-To-Two-To-Day" with Parker Gibbs singing his best; "My Cutey's Due At Two-To-Two-To-Day" is classic 1920s music--great! "Barbara" shines, too, as Ted Weems, his band and Dusty Rhodes bat this one straight out of the ballpark. This is excellent music.



"Highways Are Happy Ways (When They Lead The Way To Home)" and "It Was Only A Sun Shower" continue the great track list; ""Highways Are Happy Ways (When They Lead The Way To Home)" uses the band well as both Parker Gibbs and Dusty Rhodes sing this to perfection and beyond! "It Was Only A Sun Shower" also works well with its' fine arrangement; listen again for Dusty Rhodes to vocalize without missing a note.



"You're The Cream In My Coffee" is a pretty, classic number that Ted Weems arranges so nicely; and Parker Gibbs sings this song well. In addition, "Talk Of The Town" may not have been a major hit for Ted Weems and his band, but they sure do this one up right and they never miss a beat! Listen also for Ted Weems to make good on another huge hit for him entitled "The Man From The South (With A Big Cigar In His Mouth);" this tune has that type of 1920s jazzy arrangement that was so wildly popular. Parker Gibbs and Art Jarrett sing the lyrics flawlessly. "Walkin' My Baby Back Home," which I always liked, gets the royal treatment from these gifted artists. "Holiday In Venice" is good, too. Elmo Tanner and Ted Weems' band provide the vocals for "Holiday In Venice."



Ted Weems scored a big hit with his rendition of "Heartaches;" "Heartaches" has a great arrangement and I love it! The guitar work is equally excellent. The album ends with Ted Weems and the crew performing "The Boulevard Of Broken Dreams (Gigolo And Gigolette)." "The Boulevard Of Broken Dreams (Gigolo And Gigolette)" still sounds so great today.



Sure, not all of Ted Weems' biggest hits are here; but what we get is so good I can't help but like this CD anyway. I guess I'll take off one star for this CD not having a few more of his biggest hits. Nevertheless, Ted Weems, his band and the superb vocalists on this album provide wonderful entertainment just as they always did back in the day. I highly recommend this CD for fans of that jazzy big band sound from the 1920s and 1930s. People who like instruments of classic music from that era will also enjoy this album."