The Andrews Sisters - 20th Century Masters: The Best of the Andrews Sisters (Millennium Collection)

The oft-touted critical notion that pop music revivals are usually spawned by reactionary nostalgia founders miserably when trying to explain swing music's resurgence, a renaissance seen over by latter-day hipsters born three decades after the music's supposed demise. A better explanation can be found on this 12-track Andrews Sisters sampler: vibrant, sassy music that's influenced artists from Bette Midler to the Manhattan Transfer and beyond. Starting as purveyors of typically serene ballads in the late '30s, the Andrews' tight harmonies virtually became the nation's soundtrack during the war years when wed to swing (the era-defining "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy") and even influences as seemingly far afield as blues ("Shoo-Shoo Baby") and calypso ("Rum and Coca-Cola"). Culled mostly from their stellar '40s prime, this collection serves as a great introduction to a stellar career--and a fine rationale for swing's unexpected modern blossoming. --Jerry McCulley Amazon.com

fine budget priced album

20th Century Masters: The Best of the Andrews Sisters is an excellent, budget priced CD that gives people an excellent introduction (or a brief retrospective of) the marvelous sounds of The Andrews Sisters. The Andrews Sisters were extremely popular in their day and this CD demonstrates why. They remain one of my favorite groups even today!

The CD starts off with their smash hit "Bei Mir Bist Du Schöen." The three sisters harmonize perfectly although, unfortunately, there is some surface noise on the track. At any rate, I think you'll like "Bei Mir Bist Du Schöen" very much. "Hold Tight (Want Some Sea Food)" has the sisters singing once again; and they never sounded better. They possessed an incredible ability to harmonize swing tunes and make them sound positively electric. Incredible!

"I'll Be With You In Apple Blossom Time" again has surface noise; but this romantic ballad is at its best when these three sisters sing it. "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" switches gears very quickly; this next tune on the album swings brightly and the sisters keep up a great, fast rhythm that impresses me very much.

"Rum And Coca-Cola" is a great Latin themed ballad that was very popular at the time; and this swingin' tune sounds as soft and romantic as silk when The Andrews Sisters perform it. Moreover, listen for "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive" by Bing Crosby together with The Andrews Sisters. When Bing recorded with The Andrews Sisters there was always an excellent tune as the result of it; and "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive" is certainly no exception.

The album ends with "I Can Dream, Can't I?" This sweet number gets the royal treatment and the strings enhance this ballad very well. The background chorus sounds great, too.

The liner notes aren't much but you buy the CD for the music anyhow. I do wish, however, that they had added a song or two--at 35 minutes the CD is a tad short.

In short, The Andrews Sisters really shine on this CD even with a bit of surface noise on a couple of the twelve tracks. This inexpensively priced collection should be enough to whet the appetite of newcomers to The Andrews Sisters; and fans on a budget will enjoy this CD, too.
January 11, 2008

Faultless selection and harmonies..

Honeyed harmonies and sympathetic orchestration.
'Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive' with Bing Crosby is my all time favorite. Dennis Potter used it in his 80s British television serial 'The Singing Detective' with so much humor. January 6, 2008

Best of the Andrews Sisters

This was great. It has the songs I wanted most. Sound is clear. Neat CD.
Glad I can get this stuff from Amazon.
October 3, 2007

Andrews Sisters Rock

I love this CD!! I play it all the time now and my 2 young daughters love it too. We walk aroung singing "Hold tight..." and I've played it for my friends as well. We think it's a hoot that these girls were really jammin back in the 40's and the big bands in the background are amazing! May 13, 2007

ANDREW SISTERS

HAD THE THE RECORD BEFORE. I HAVE NO MORE RECORDS, I HAD TO GET THE CD. IT'S GREAT TO HEAR THEM SING AGAIN! August 6, 2006

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