One of Trini's finest
DSA | Phoenix, AZ | 12/07/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Trini Lopez's '60s albums for Reprise have been appearing on CD at rather uneven intervals. This disc from 1967 is among the latest batch to make the move to the digital format, and it's very welcome. Thought not one of his biggest sellers, "In London" perfectly sums up Trini's appeal. There's a mix of singalong tunes (the Lopez original "Happy"); reworked covers of then-current hits (a swinging "Strangers in the Night" and a rather sexy reading of "Mame"); standards (a hand-clapping "It Had to Be You"); and a few surprises, including a solid take on take on the Rolling Stones' "Lady Jane." The singles from the album -- "Gonna Get Along Without Ya' Now" and the double-sided "Takin' the Back Roads" (wonderful!) and "Your Ever Changin' Mind" -- didn't break out to become huge hits, but it doesn't reflect the quality of the album. Really, this is all-around solid stuff. Now, Collectables, please release 1969's "The Whole Enchilada" next..."
A solid set of Trini tunes from '67
David Kenner | Fort Worth, Texas United States | 10/12/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"As stated in the previous customer review here, we're getting Trini Lopez' Reprise albums on CD little by little and in no particular order. And even stranger, it seems that no reissue label wants to delve too deeply -- so far there have been reissues from several different companies. Some of his albums that have not yet been released on CD are available in digital format through iTunes (including his overlooked and underappreciated {and poorly mixed} 1968 LP "It's A Great Life". Despite the bass heavy, treble-lacking production, I think it's his best album ever.)
The album featured on this compact disc, "In London" is a really great collection as well. Recorded in London in '67, it features his hit single version of the Patience & Prudence nugget, "Gonna Get Along Without Ya Now". Trini does a great rendition of this pop classic.
There are several other notable tracks on this album that are never included on Lopez compilations and are worth the price of this disc. First, is a great, piano driven version of the standard "It Had To Be You". Of all the versions of this song recorded through the decades, Trini's version is by far my favorite. He also covers the Rolling Stones ballad "Lady Jane" with great success. This is no "Golden Throats" cover version to be snickered at. Rather, he pulls it off with the greatest of ease and makes it sound as if it was written to be a pop standard, rather than a rock ballad.
The best track on the album is a Lopez original. "That's What Makes The World Go Round" is Trini doing what he does best: having a good time. "Some people like sugar in their tea; I like mine blonde and five foot three" he sings over some of his tastiest guitar riffs ever.
Incidentally, the last few seconds of the track are abruptly cut off for some reason but since it's during the fade out, it's not particularly noticeable unless you're listening with headphones. This minor faux pas in the remastering did not detract from my enjoyment of the song or the disc.
I'm just happy to have this album on compact disc, period."
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1