Oliver! – LONDON CAST*****

Food Glorious Food/Oliver/I Shall Scream/Boy For Sale/That’s Your Funeral/Where Is Love/Consider Yourself/ You’ve Got To Pick A Pocket Or Two/It’s A Fine Life/Be Back Soon/Oom-Pah-Pah/My Name/As Long As He Needs Me/I’d Do Anything/Who Will Buy/Reviewing The Situation/Oliver (Reprise)/As Long As He Needs Me (Reprise)/Reviewing The Situation (Reprise)/Finale

The London cast musical Oliver! starred Ron Moody and Georgia Brown. It opened in June 1960 at the New Theatre and ran for 2618 performances. Based on the Charles Dickens novel Oliver Twist, about the boy who falls in with a gang of pickpockets, led by the notorious Fagin. Music and lyrics by Lionel Bart. (UK:4)

“If you want to hear Oliver! at its very best, just go for this one. There is not a singer/actress alive that could ever compare with Georgia Brown's performance of Nancy. Her version of As Long As He Needs Me is the most honest, truthful and vocally outstanding - sheer perfection. She was a true East End girl and it really shows. She has a voice which is 'true class', that is second to none.”

“For me there is only one recording of Oliver! that works and this is it. The cast bring the whole show to life. My favourite song is Ron Moody’s Reviewing The Situation And as for Georgia Brown, well she was perfect as Nancy."

“A fantastic version - the original and the best. If you're not already familiar with her, relish the outstanding quality of Georgia Brown's voice - the definitive Nancy.”

“This is the original London cast recording of Lionel Bart's undisputed masterpiece Oliver! It is sung with joy and excitement by a stellar cast, obviously still reeling from the glowing reviews and laurels that had been lavished on them. Georgia Brown remains for many the consummate Nancy; It's A Fine Life was specially written for her. She is at her best wrapping her velvet voice around the ultimate apologist ballad As Long As He Needs Me.”

“This is the original West End cast starring Ron Moody and Georgia Brown. It's significantly less polished than the movie that came along in the late 60s but its rawness is magnetic. Great songs performed by great artists in an all British musical that its composer was never able to repeat.”

“This is the recording that best sums up all the joy of Oliver!, the cast that best performs it and which preserves the original vision and intention of Lionel Bart.”

Nice ‘N’ Easy – FRANK SINATRA*****

Nice ‘N’ Easy/That Old Feeling/How Deep Is The Ocean/I’ve Got A Crush On You/You Go To My Head/Fools Rush In/Nevertheless (I’m In Love With You)/She’s Funny That Way/Try A Little Tenderness/Embraceable You/Mam’selle/Dream

With the exception of the top twenty title track Nice ‘N’ Easy consists of new interpretations of songs Frank Sinatra recorded for the Columbia label in the 1940s. (US:1 UK:4)

“Over a year between albums meant that Sinatra fans flocked to the stores to buy this, keeping it at the top of the charts for several weeks. The title track is very easy on the ear, plus some warm readings of standards from the American Songbook - give this a big tick.”

“An often neglected and severely underrated Capitol album, Nice 'N' Easy stands up well in the company of Sinatra's other, more recognized masterpieces. It's not one of his moody concept albums, but a stunning collection of classic love ballads performed with full attention and care from the master. Nelson Riddle's arrangements shimmer with emotion and beauty, perfectly complementing the singer.”

“This superb collection is notable in consisting of ballads Frank Sinatra had recorded in the 1940s, re-interpreted in 1960 with the emotional depth and resonance he'd developed in the intervening years. His phrasing is assured, shaping the melodic line in sometimes unusual but always inevitable ways.”

“Frank Sinatra fulfilled his contract with Capitol Records by recording the songs for this wonderful album entitled Nice 'N' Easy. This track set features the more mature and highly seasoned Frank Sinatra, who sings with a degree of sophistication that squarely ranks him as one of the greatest male singers of all time. Many of the songs were recorded earlier in his career; but when Frank Sinatra revisits these ballads he uses his artistic maturity, increased focus and panache to convey greater sensitivity than ever before.”

“The title track is 'new' for 1960, and it works well enough. The balance of the album consists of older material, but rather than recycling old tunes Riddle and Sinatra lighten things up a bit. Yes, some of the lyrics have a 1940s naiveté about them, but the deeper Sinatra voice of 1960 makes them less quaint and more compelling.”

More Gunfighter Ballads & Trail Songs – MARTY ROBBINS***

San Angelo/Prairie Fire/Streets Of Laredo/Song Of The Bandit/I’ve Got No Use For The Women/Five Brothers/ Little Joe The Wrangler/Ride Cowboy Ride/This Peaceful Sod/She Was Young & She Was Pretty/My Love

More Gunfighter Ballads & Trail Songs was the follow up album to the 1959 original in which balladeer Marty Robbins again puts the western back into country & western. (US:21)

“This album picks up where the first left off - great stories, versatile singing, and a flawless collection of songs. I suppose you could criticize this album for recycling the first one's concept, but when the music is as good as this, I'd just prefer to have twice as much to enjoy.”

“One wouldn’t expect the sequel to measure up to an original but this is every bit as good as the classic predecessor and identical in style. Outstanding singing – technically excellent, effortlessly good, perfectly phrased. This is definitely folk music with its emphasis on word, story, tougher times and tradition, acoustic instrumentation and recycled melodies.”

“Marty was in great voice; the arrangements are superb. If you can listen to these bittersweet, haunting ballads without having your heartstrings plucked you are stone dead.”

“Marty Robbins was not only a great western ballad writer and singer, he was a real rarity with his style and sound. A dedicated man who felt what he wrote and sang, who gave all he had to everything he did.”

"What can you say, Marty Robbins at his best. No one epitomizes western music like he does. Notice that I said western music, not to be confused with country music. The songs are classics of that genre and only Marty can do them justice.”

“When Marty Robbins wrote and recorded his original Gunfighter Ballads, country & western music in America had pretty much abandoned its western side and was deeply sunk into the smooth country side of its personality. Nobody sang western songs anymore and certainly no one wrote western songs anymore. The sequel album, More Gunfighter Ballads, continued the tradition."

Johnny’s Mood – JOHNNY MATHIS****

I’m Gonna Laugh You Right Out Of My Life/Stay Warm/There’s No You/How High The Moon/I’m So Lost/Once/Goodnight My Love/The Folks Who Live On The Hill/April In Paris/Corner To Corner/In Return/I’m In The Mood For Love

Perennially popular MOR vocalist Johnny Mathis was rarely out of the album charts in the early 1960s. Johnny’s Mood maintained his success rate on the US album chart. (US:4)

“Of the songs on the album, several are associated with other singers and it seems fascinating to hear Mathis' take on them and how well they compare with the work of others. In all, Mathis gives his customary polished performances of these well known songs, imbuing each with his own style.”

“While it shouldn't be necessary to say, Mathis delivers his own special brand of ethereal magic on classic standards like How High The Moon and April In Paris. This LP is a perfect introduction for younger fans who may be only beginning to scratch the surface of Mathis' prolific discography.”

"Johnny's Mood doesn't have quite as rich material as Faithfully, however, as any Mathis fan has come to learn, he always makes due and can get the most out of any song.”

“I love all the older albums by Johnny Mathis because his voice is smooth as velvet and the music brings back so many memories.”

“Lush string arrangements whisper, then soar, to ecstatic peaks, alternately embracing then setting free, the sensual voice of Johnny Mathis. Johnny is at his best here, mastering the lyric and phrase with ease and skill. Bring romance back into your life. This is the album you have been seeking.”

“He has a rare talent as he enjoys singing well written songs, puts his heart and soul into them and out comes perfection.” ,p> “Johnny's Mood is a classic. April In Paris and Once are two of my favourites. Folks Who Live On The Hill and In Return are two more greats. Another excellent album from the Mathis' prime.”

The Fabulous Style Of – THE EVERLY BROTHERS****

Like Strangers/Since You Broke My Heart/Let It Be Me/Oh What A Feeling/Take A Message To Mary/Brand New Heartache/When Will I Be Loved/Rip It Up/(‘Til) I Kissed You/Hey Doll Baby/Poor Jenny/Be Bop-A-Lula

Fabulous Style was an opportunist compilation LP cashing in on the later Everly Brothers singles released on the Cadence label before the boys jumped ship to Warner. (US:23 UK:4)

“Released by Cadence Records in 1960 as The Everlys career reached a peak worldwide. It was a compilation of songs clearly aimed at the ever growing army of hysterical fans which more than satisfies.”

“More than half the songs originated as Cadence label 45 rpm sides. Rather than rendering it overly familiar sounding, however, the strategy underlines just how strong the guys' output was. Masters of the forlorn upbeat song When Will I Be Loved and the heart-rending ballad Devoted To You, they fill the disc with this mix of moods.” ,p> “Simply the greatest close harmony duo in rock history. This LP features many of the songs that sent them to the upper reaches of the Billboard charts.”

“This disc pays due attention to The Everly Brothers' early years, which show a lot of country influence in the songs. Give a careful listen to the solidly country Take A Message To Mary and the haunting minor harmonies of the often overlooked Oh What A Feeling.” ,p> “There are a number of rather obscure songs, but that doesn't mean bad. The Everly Brothers had an incredible knack for turning mediocre material into memorable music, the kind that grows better each time it is heard. Fabulous Style will do just that, grow on you until it becomes a part of you. A truly excellent album."

“Let It Be Me is a great song, perhaps The Everlys' finest moment as romantic balladeers. And though Don and Phil might have felt impelled to take their chances away from Cadence with a lucrative offer from Warner Brothers, this album yielded some of their most powerful material: the Bryants' Take A Message To Mary and Like Strangers, along with The Everlys' own emergence as songwriters: Don's 'Til I Kissed You, with its rolling tom-tom beats and drop-down bridge, and Phil's impassioned When Will I Be Loved."

Encore – SANTO & JOHNNY***

Alabamy Bound/Over The Rainbow/The Breeze & I/Lazy Day/Venus/Teardrop/Deep Purple/Old Man River/ Prisoner Of Love/You Belong To Me/Long Walk Home/Annie

Encore was the second album from instrumental duo, the brothers Santo & Johnny who are best remembered for the innovative use of steel guitar, backed by rhythm guitar. (US:11)

“These two guys, the brothers Santo (steel guitar) and Johnny Farina (rhythm guitar) had a unique sound back in my high school years that lingers today in my memories. These guys are definitely part of guitar history. My personal favourite Alabamy Bound from the Encore album. This is a can't miss treat.”

“Santo and Johnny were great musicians in their day. The sound is very good and very enjoyable. Buy this LP if you want to hear them again or have never heard them. You won't go wrong.”

“I really love listening to these guys play their guitars. I wish that their music was played more often.”

“From the first reverb filled note, you will be yanked back to a simpler musical time that catches this wonderful duo before the surf era.”

“A great dynamic duo from the 1950s popularly known for their use of steel guitar, with dreamy tunes like Teardrop and Venus."

“This duo had a sound that is hard to come by anymore. The simple way they make the music sing in awesome.”

“Normally we would associate steel guitar with country music, but this is far from it. It's easy listening. The music appeals to all ages. Some of you will discover a new (old) sound while others like me will relive some of the best instrumental music of the 60s.”

“You rarely hear this music now except on movie soundtracks. I love this and have played it many times, and never tire of their artistry or sound.”

Ella In Berlin – ELLA FITZGERALD*****

Gone With The Wind/Misty/The Lady Is A Tramp/The Man I Love/Summertime/Too Darn Hot/Lorelei/Mack The Knife/How High The Moon

One of the most celebrated live albums, noted for Ella’s adlibbing on Mack The Knife when she forgot the lyrics. Ella In Berlin won a Grammy for best female vocal. (US:11)

“Everything is swinging and awesome but I especially like Ella's attempt at Mack The Knife in which she forgets the lyrics and wings it brilliantly.”

“Always a technician beyond reproach, here Ella adds the X-factor that makes a record great. Her performance is downright intense, an inspiration that cements her place in the audiophile book of life.”

“Every song is out of this world and the accompaniment is just as wonderful. Standouts include That Old Black Magic, Too Darn Hot and my personal favourite How High The Moon. Whoever said Ella lacks feeling in her delivery needs to listen to this album, and recognize that melodrama does not always equal feeling.”

“Ella Fitzgerald never had a voice, she had an instrument which she used to her greatest potential. She was one of the greatest jazz singers to have graced the world. This recording is when she was at the zenith of her career and it is this album that contains the definitive recording of the great Gershwin song Summertime.”

“Happen to think that Ella was absolutely the best, and here she is at the top of her game. All the cuts are good, but Mack The Knife alone is worth the price.”

“I had always respected her technical ability, but hadn't found the emotion and passion I was also looking for. With her live recordings, it's all there and grabs you in a way her other stuff may not always do. You can feel how present she is in the music, and her improvisations on Mack The Knife are priceless, including an impression of Louis Armstrong that's spot-on.”

“What makes this recording truly stand out is Ella's consistency. She is vocally at the peak of her powers, and each of the songs she sings here is the best Ella version that exists.”