Various Artists - And the Winner Is...Capitol Sings the Best Movie Songs

and the nostalgia continues...

And the Winner Is...Capitol Sings the Best Movie Songs is an excellent CD of great vocalists of the twentieth century singing their hearts out; and this makes a fine compilation of some of the best movie songs ever. Of course, it's not a complete retrospective; but as a single CD it does a very good job. The sound quality is excellent and I like that artwork, too!

Helen O'Connell sings "Lullaby Of Broadway" from Gold Diggers of 1935 with a lot of feeling; the guys on backup vocals enhance the natural beauty of this number but make no mistake about it--this is Helen O'Connell's number and she really does it up right! Listen also for Nat King Cole to perform "You'll Never Know;" he sings this with a tempo that is a bit faster than I'm used to but it all holds its own very well. Great! There's also June Christy singing so sweetly on "When You Wish Upon A Star" from the 1940 Walt Disney movie Pinocchio. I love it!

The Lettermen do a spectacular job with "Love Is A Many Splendored Thing;" they harmonize to perfection--and beyond! ""Love Is A Many Splendored Thing" is clearly a major highlight of this album. Another major highlight is the immortal Judy Garland performing her signature song "Over The Rainbow" from The Wizard Of Oz. Judy's voice is rich, warm and vibrant; this is a stunning recording by Judy. In addition, Johnny Mercer and The Pied Pipers do a great job with "On The Atchison, Topeka & The Santa Fe" by The Harvey Girls released by MGM in 1946. "On The Atchison, Topeka & The Santa Fe" features Johnny Mercer squarely front and center--right where he belongs!

Nat King Cole sings "Mona Lisa" with panache; and there's no one who could sing this tune better than Nat King Cole ever did! The strings are used to great advantage in the musical arrangement, too. Peggy Lee also outdoes even herself on "The Days Of Wine And Roses;" what a voice Peggy Lee had!

Dean Martin does a great rendition of "Baby, It's Cole Outside;" I love the way he croons! Dean's excellent diction and his uncanny sense of timing greatly enhance his performance. Bobby Darin aces "Call Me Irresponsible" practically effortlessly; and that brass sounds great. Ray Anthony & The Belvederes perform "Thanks For The Memory" with heart and soul; and the CD ends strong with Dick Powell & Winfred Shaw again performing the soundtrack version of "Lullaby Of Broadway."

Overall, this album gives us so much talent it's well worth the price you'll pay for it! I highly recommend this album for lovers of classic pop vocals and people who enjoy show tunes will appreciate this CD as well.
April 23, 2008

Fun!

I love the way this collection kicks off and ends with "Lullaby of Broadway," and what's sandwiched in bewteen is all good, too. I even like the overblown swoon of the Lettermen on "Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing." The real highlights, though, are a live Nat King Cole "Continental," Peggy Lee's "Days of Wine and Roses," Bob Hope's "Buttons and Bows," Tex Ritter's "Do Not Forsake Me", a swinging Bobby Darin "Call Me Irresponsible"...I could go on. If you like this kind of thing, you'll love this CD. March 12, 2002

Start you collection with this

An excellent CD. You'll find yourself listening to it when the kids are asleep, and you'll feel like a child again as you stir up movie memories. June 23, 2000

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