Search - Various Artists :: Fabulous Fifties 3: Back to the Fifties

Fine installment in this CD series

Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 06/02/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Fabulous Fifties, Vol. 3: Back to the Fifties has 15 excellent and memorable songs that made the airwaves sizzle when they were originally released. Actually, these songs still sound great even in our times and it's terrific that we can get them on CD. I admit it--I have a number of these songs on vinyl record albums but I've played them all so many times I've practically worn the grooves off the records and the 45s! The quality of the sound is very good; and I like the artwork as well.



Tennessee Ernie Ford begins the track set with his big hit entitled "Sixteen Tons." "Sixteen Tons" features Tennessee Ernie Ford squarely front and center--and that's right where he belonged and still belongs! The percussion is very creative and Tennessee never skips a beat, either. The song has a great beat that's very catchy and this will always be a magnificent tune. Dean Martin then contributes his hit, "Memories Are Made Of This;" this tune gets the royal treatment from Dean who sings this to perfection--and beyond! I always thought that listening to Dean was like listening to a masculine type of silk; his smooth performance always leaves me wanting more. The backup vocalists do a great job of it--not that Dean really needed it but they do sound pretty good anyway.



"Sincerely" was a big hit for the famous McGuire Sisters; they were a very popular sister act and I could never tire of hearing them perform. They never let go of a superfluous note and their sound is timeless--The McGuire Sisters were always all THAT good. "Too Young" by Nat "King" Cole" is absolutely flawless; Nat sings with passion and his excellent sense of timing makes his singing all the more appealing. Of course, "Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)" charms me with its beauty, Doris Day had a major hit with this tune and just one listen will tell you why! Jim Lowe also gives his all on "Green Door;" this just plain sounds good and I love it.



Gogi Grant delivers "Wayward Wind" with panache; and the music fits in perfectly with her vocals. Fats Domino also ranks high in my book with his classic early rock and roll number called "Blueberry Hill;" Fats never misses a beat and the drums and percussion work wonders for "Blueberry Hill."



Kay Starr's "Rock And Roll Waltz" is sublime; her voice was invariably as clear as a bell and I love to hear Kay sing. The Four Lads turn out "No, Not Much" with genuine feeling straight from their hearts; and the strings are great for this arrangement. There's another gem in "Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White" by The Pérez Prado Orchestra; and the CD ends with a bit of fun as Perry Como performs "Hot Diggity (Dog Ziggity Boom)." This type of number really wasn't Perry's favorite style of music; but he was savvy enough to realize he'd have a hit with this and his calculations were correct indeed!



The Fabulous Fifties, Vol. 3: Back to the Fifties will please just about anyone who wants to add some timeless songs from the 1950s to their music collection. I highly recommend this album.

"