Search - Various Artists - Soundtracks :: Hollywood's Best: The Thirties - '30s - Motion Picture Soundtrack Anthology

Solid single CD compilation, although not truly complete

Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 05/02/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Hollywood's Best: The Thirties - '30s - Motion Picture Soundtrack Anthology isn't the most complete single CD compilation; and that's a disappointment. However, what is on this album is first rate material; and that redeems this CD quite a bit. The quality of the sound is excellent and the artwork is very well done.



The CD begins with an extended version of "Hooray For Hollywood;" this was always a song I liked and it makes a terrific beginning for this album. You practically hear half of Hollywood performing--there's Powell, Frances Langford, Johnny 'Scat' Davis, Gene Krupa--and even Benny Goodman And His Orchestra! "Hooray For Hollywood" is a stunning number. Listen also for a very young Ginger Rogers to sing an energetic version of "We're In The Money" with a fine chorus to bolster her performance. Ginger really throws herself into "We're In The Money" and it shows when you hear her sing this classic song.



Fred Astaire sings "Night And Day;" this Cole Porter tune sounds sweet when Fred sings it so well; and the music that accompanies him fits in perfectly. The strings are used to great advantage; and Fred never skips a beat! Terrific! Louis Armstrong himself also does a fantastic job on "Jeepers Creepers." "Jeepers Creepers" is a fun tune and when Louis Armstrong sings it this number takes off like a jet!



"I Only Have Eyes For You" gets the royal treatment and this ode to Ruby Keeler works well. The orchestration is grand and the few lines that the actors speak are all very well done. Similarly "Begin The Beguine" by Artie Shaw And His Orchestra sounds fresh and new when I hear it on this album; Artie Shaw and his peers should could swing! There's another great song sung by Fred Astaire as he sings "Cheek To Cheek." What a great song. In addition, listen for Jeanette MacDonald to sing a divine version of "San Francisco." Jeannette never sounded better; and her voice is as clear as a bell. AS you may suspect, "San Francisco" comes from the movie of the same name.



Fred Astaire returns yet again to do a flawless interpretation of "Let's Face The Music And Dance." "Let's Face The Music And Dance" has excellent orchestration and Fred sings this without a superfluous note. I'm very impressed. The CD also offers us a recording by a very young Judy Garland as she sings her signature song, "Over The Rainbow." Judy's voice sounds more beautiful than any other voice I've ever heard; and she certainly deserved the fame she enjoyed for so long.



Overall, Hollywood's Best: The Thirties - '30s - Motion Picture Soundtrack Anthology is a rather good single CD compilation--but it's not complete by any means. I give this four stars instead of three mainly because what's on this CD is excellent. I highly recommend this album for classic movie buffs.

"

Simply the best '30 highlight I have ever heard

Matthew G. Sherwin | 03/23/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am a great collectionist of 78 rpm, disks and cd about this period and i think that it' s one of the most fascinated collection of Artists and Actors of this period at this moment. Thanks Hollywood!!"