Moonglow – PAT BOONE***

Moonglow/San Antonio Rose/Hands Across The Table/You Always Hurt The One You Love/Very Thought Of You/Girl Of My Dreams/Again/Who’s Sorry Now/We Love But Once/It’s A Sin To Tell A Lie/Imagination/ Unchained Melody

Although a few years earlier he was very hot property, by the early 1960s the popularity of smooth vocalist Pat Boone was on the wane, although he had yet to reach the height of uncool that would come later. The relatively low chart placing of his first sixties LP Moonglow reflects this dip in support. (US:26)

“Moonglow as to be expected, is mainly soft lights and sweet music (with two oddities: a hillbilly-ish San Antonio Rose and a reversion to Pat's popular style in Who's Sorry Now) with a creamy, string laden orchestra backing him (plus a wonderful trombone choir and the odd alto-sax and violin solo).”

“The melodic and romantic voice of Pat delivers songs from the American Songbook which remind the listener that the old performers can sound pretty good.”

“Pat starts the new decade in fine fashion with this gem from 1960. Moonglow stands among the four or five top albums in Boone's voluminous catalogue. And like the others in that group, there is hardly a weak link. Each of the twelve songs is a splendid musical offering. Collectively they span the golden era of American popular music, from the late '20s to the late '50s, and provide a thumbnail history of that prolific period. At the time of this album's release, Pat Boone's hits were occurring with somewhat less frequency than before. Yet, it could be argued that his creative successes were never greater.”

“The artistic depth which came from finding wholly his musical niche, are the qualities that Pat Boone brings to Moonglow, and which radiate throughout. The warmth, sincerity and finesse he accords these timeless treasures make this album an exceptionally fine listening experience.”

“Moonglow gives Pat the chance to smoothly croon his way to romantic heaven via the ears of the listener. A sincerely rendered Unchained Melody rates amongst the best versions of this much recorded favourite. However, just in case Pat might be considered to have gone soft on ballads, a jangly uptempo version of San Antonio Rose intervenes and not letting hit-maker Connie Francis have her own way, he borrows two of her hits and tearful style."