Bobby Darin - The Bobby Darin Story

Bobby Darin

Loved this CD - had it on tape but needed CD - especially loved "Artificial Flowers" one of the most beautiful songs. Bobby Darin rocks. May 21, 2007

"Somewhere...Beyond the Sea..."

This is an early compilation album transferred intact to CD. Between numbers, Bobby Darin comments on the impact and import of each song (including a charmingly anachronistic, "If you don't turn this over, I'm liable to run into the label," followed by a resounding crash).

THE BOBBY DARIN STORY includes his early hits, "Splish Splash" and "Queen of the Hop" as well as the iconic "Mack The Knife." Everything about this CD screams "musty old record album in the basement" including the label which advises us that this recording is in stereo. Wowee.

A budget re-release, unfortunately there are no current liner notes and no date of original release. Unremastered and rather reedy recordings of most of the songs made me wish I had the original LP, with the cracks, hisses and pops they so rightfully deserve. No Information Age smoothness here. This album, er, CD is a real chestnut, full of artifacts from a vanished time.

The tumult of the Sixties is reflected in the widely varying musical styles on this recording. Bobby Darin spent much of his career finding his own unique voice, veering between bubblegum At The Hop pop and derivative Tin Pan Alley toss-offs until he passed magnificently "Beyond The Sea."

Darin's tragically brief life and stellar career are well remembered on this curio shop recording. And Bobby's commentary makes it all come to life. March 24, 2006

Bobby Darin's best in his early day works are in this collection!

This C.D. focuses on his early days with ATCO records in the late 50's and early 60's. It's too bad he passed away at such an early age. I admired his work in this collection including the immortal Mack the Knife and Beyond the Sea. I especially enjoyed his up tempo rendition of Lazy River. A very good collection put together in this C.D.!! December 27, 2005

For what it's worth - one song is not original and bad edits.

For those who are looking for the original songs on this album: I still have the vinyl record of this album - I was just a teen when I acquired it (I'm now almost 60).

I wanted this album on CD since my vinyl copy is worn out, and for the most part I'm happy with it, but I must tell you who may be looking for the same thing I was is that the song "Clementine" is not the original version on the vinyl album of the "Bobby Darin Story." The original version is on the album "The Ultimate Bobby Darin."

As to the narration on this album by Mr Darin regarding his career - that is one of the signature parts of this CD, and I wouldn't have purchased it without those.

One last thing: the edit of some of the songs on this CD are really bad, especially if you listen with headphones. The singer's track is made to jump back and forth from left to right channel. It's really quite maddening and distracting. This occurs on at least 5 of the songs. Once more, the original edit of many of these is on the CD "The Ultimate Bobby Darin."


July 22, 2005

a different Bobby Darin album

In a way this is a best of Bobby. It includes his best songs of his early period the brilliant Mack the Knife and Beyond the Sea. What sets it apart is his commentary inbetween. Initially it annoyed me and I can't blame people who don't like it. But I guess it's grown on me because I've listened to this enough to say the commentary with Bobby. It gives you an insight to why he was popular in Las Vegas.
One thing he does say is outdated at the end, "Take me out before I run in the label." I even have a record player but since I own a cassette of this it took me like a minute to catch on to what he meant. February 22, 2004

More reviews at Amazon.com ...