Paul Anka - The Most of Paul Anka

Budget price exclusive Australian 20 track collection from Axis Australia. EMI. 1194. Album Description

excellent--as a single CD retrospective, that is

Paul Anka really has talent--he's still performing all these years after his first hits. His voice has always been excellent, strong and full of warmth; and his adoring fans love him for it.

"Diana" was clearly one of Paul's earliest hits; and his youthful voice is clear as a bell and very strong. Paul sings this love ode to his girl Diana with heart and soul. The musical arrangement has that 1960s teen pop flavor to it and this works very well. "You Are My Destiny" may sound slightly melodramatic but the more you listen to it you'll find it's truly a fine ballad. The backup vocalists support Paul well and he never sings a superfluous note.

"Put Your Head On My Shoulder" is a tremendously romantic slow dance tune that really shines as Paul sings it; he handles the tempo and key changes effortlessly and this impresses me. The backup vocalists help, too. "Puppy Love" is a number many people can relate to when they think of their first crush that was usually pooh-poohed by adults even though the teens felt it was true love. Moreover, listen for "The Story Of My Love." "The Story Of My Love" is a bouncy little tune that Paul sings sweetly; and I like the musical arrangement, too.

"Eso Beso" showcases a more mature Paul Anka singing a `70s style Latin ballad. "Eso Beso (That Kiss)" sounds great when Paul sings it and the melody is infectiously catchy.

The CD ends with two duets between Paul and Odia Coates; first they sing the tender "(You're) Having My Baby" which couldn't be better; and then they perform the pop tune with a slight country twist entitled "One Man Woman, One Woman Man." Great!

People point out that there really should be a two CD set edition of Paul's best work; and I agree with them. However, as a single disc collection this is one of the better ones at a very fair price. There are some numbers missing, of course, including "Hello Young Lovers;" "Love (Makes The World Go 'Round);" "In The Still Of The Night;" "Sincerely" and "My Way." This is a disappointment but I will take off only one star because a single disc retrospective only has so much room.

This is, overall, one of the better single CD retrospectives out there for Paul's fans to enjoy. People who want to become more familiar with Paul Anka and his magic would do well to buy this album.
January 3, 2008

Should Have Been Much Better

Other than cost, no reason to choose this set over the old "30th Anniversary" collection on Rhino. With only 20 tracks and certainly room for 7 or 8 more, it's missing plenty of Victor and United Artists hits. Also, although these are the original hits, the sound quality is not quite up to the 30th Anniversary set or the Taragon "Essential RCA '62-'68" disc from the late 90's. Also, "Steel Guitar" is mono here, stereo on other collections. It makes me wonder if the Aussies had access to the first generation master tapes. May 20, 2007

Original recordings make it special

Just looking through Amazon's catalogue for Paul Anka, you have to agree that there are so many compilations for this artist. It is confusing which one to buy. This Australian compilation titled "Most of Paul Anka" is way up there with the Rhino 30th Anniversary Collection in that it contains the original recordings digitally remastered, NOT the re-recordings that Paul did in the early 90's.

This compilation contains all of the early hits, and a couple of the 70's hits, although perhaps it could have explored the later years more - yet in all honesty, the artist's main hits were from the 50's and 60's which this CD covers beautifully. From "Diana" to "Put your head on my shoulder", this is a must own CD. I am also pleased that of the two 70's songs which are included, one is an all time favourite - the classic "You're Having My Baby". Reason enough to have this CD in your collection.

This digitally remastered compilation is therefore worth importing from Australia if you live overseas, as a cheaper alternative to the Rhino compilation. November 10, 2005

Love it!

If you are a fan of Paul Anka's music and, like me, have lost or misplaced his records over the years, you will love this cd. It contains all of his old songs and the quality of the cd is wonderful. It brings back memories of high school which may or may not be a good thing but it makes one feel young again. I highly recommend this cd. October 2, 2005

Fine Collection Of All Anka's Early Years, But Not Complete

For an artist whose career lasted as long as Paul Anka's, putting together a compilation of his best material and biggest hits is naturally extremely hard. Since the man remained a steady force on the charts and the radio for 26 years (1957-83), the only way to accurately do a collection of Anka's best is a two disc collection or a boxed set, neither which exist.

That being said, "The Most Of Paul Anka" is actually a very good Austrlian import best of containing pretty much evrry big top 40 hit from 1959 to 1974, including "Diana", "Lonely Boy", "Put Your Head On My Shoulder", "It's Time To Cry", "My Hometown", "Summer's Gone" and "(You're) Having My Baby". All 20 of these songs are essential for anybody who wants to get into Paul Anka. Still, he had some great songs before and after 1975, most notably "Times Of Your Life". To really do him jutsice, Anka needs a two disc set. Here is my idea for "Paul Anka: The Definitive Collection"

Disc 1
Diana
You Are My Destiny
Let The Bells Keep Ringing
Crazy Love
Midnight
Teen Commandments
(All Of A Sudden) My Heart Sings
I Miss You So
Lonely Boy
Put Your Head On My Shoulder
It's Time To Cry
Puppy Love
Adam And Eve
My Home Town
I Love You In The Same Old Way
Hello Young Lovers
Summer's Gone
The Story Of My love
Tonight My Love, Tonight
Dance On Little Girl
Love Me Warm And Tender
A Steel Guitar And A Glass Of Wine
Every Night (Without You)
Eso Beso
Love (Makes The World Go 'Round)
Remember Diana
Did You Have A Happy Birthday

Disc 2
Goodnight My Love
In The Still Of The Night
Sincerely
Happy
Do I Love You
Jubilation
Let me Get To Know You
(You're) Having My Baby
One Man Woman-One Woman Man
I Don't Like To Sleep Alone
I Beleive There's Nothing Stronger Than Our Love
Times Of Your Life
Anytime (I'll Be There)
Happier
My Best Friend's Wife
Everybody Ought To Be In Love
This Is Love
I've Been Waiting For You All Of My Life
Hold Me 'Til The Mornin' Comes
My Way

This would truly be the ultimate Paul Anka collection. However, this cd is a fine supplement of Anka's best music and is overall recommendable. May 23, 2005

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