Andrews Sisters - The Golden Age of the Andrews Sisters

give those gals a spotlight !!!

The Golden Age Of The Andrews Sisters is an excellent four CD set that gives us many standards by this trio of sisters--and many rarities as well. The quality of the sound is generally excellent; and the artwork is also very nicely done.

There are 101 songs on these four CDs; I scarcely know where to turn first in describing this to you! The first two CDs have many songs listeners will recognize if they are familiar with big band music and The Andrews Sisters already. The remaining two discs are full of lesser known tunes by The Andrews Sisters; this increases the value of this set. I'm very impressed!

The first CD has many good ones: listen for their huge hit "Bei Mir Bist Du Schöen;" this tune features them back in '37 harmonizing to perfection. "Bei Mir Bist Du Schöen" is a sweet love song that still charms people (including me) today. "Scrub Me Mama, With A Boogie Beat" has the sisters singing in harmony ever so sweetly and I really enjoy the big band boogie flavor of this number! There's also the slower tempo ballad entitled "Don't Fence Me In" that they sing with the great Bing Crosby; this ends the first CD very strong. The musical arrangements are all very solid.

The second CD continues the hits. "Rum And Coca-Cola" has great tempo changes and this was always one of my favorites. My dad loves this one too! "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive" features the sisters doing a great job with Bong Crosby; the melody is grand. The arrangement for the piano reflects good forethought. "I Can Dream, Can't I" shines like gold when The Andrews Sisters perform it; and "I, Yi, Yi, Yi, Yi (I Like You Very Much" is excellent, too.

The second two CDs have songs that are great but less often heard. "Tuxedo Junction" features great horn work and when the sisters come in, this number takes flight! They sing this so well, too. "Beatin', Bangin', `N Scratchin'" features the sister with the great Danny Kaye; the Latin beat is excellent! "I'm Gonna Paper All My Walls With Your Love Letters" has great big band flavor and The Andrews Sister never sing a superfluous note! "Pack Up Your Troubles" has The Andrews Sisters doing it up right with Dick Haymes--great!

The final CD is equally good. "Run, Run Run" has a slightly Latin feel to it with a great horn arrangement; and there's also "The Money Song." "The Money Song" is a fun song and I predict you'll enjoy this tune. "The Bride And Groom Polka" is one of the best polka numbers I've ever heard; and the sisters handle this like the pro they always were!
The album ends with a great rendition of "Don't Sit Under The Apple Tree (With Anyone Else But Me)."

Overall, this fine for CD will easily appeal to fans of this great sister act; and persons who like classic pop vocals with big band arrangements will want this also.
February 28, 2008

great

It was great I got it as a gift to a friend and they loved it. January 18, 2008

Love it!!

This cd set is worth it!! i'm 27 yrs old and i love older music i recommend this to anyone!! October 19, 2007

Every top ten hit plus many rarities

This sensational 4-CD set contains all the Andrews sisters' American top ten hits (British record charts didn't exist then) on the first two CD's including their duets. The third and fourth CD's are dominated by rarities though some of the titles may be familiar to you, especially the last track. So this is not the definitive hits collection because those hits that didn't make the top ten are missing except for a few that show up among the rarities. I was particularly pleased to see the inclusion of Coax me a little bit and The wedding of Lily Marlene, two minor hits that are also rarities but there's still a few minor hits that haven't appeared on CD as far as I know.

The first two CD's contain almost all the songs that the Andrews sisters are remembered for, the exception being Don't sit under the apple tree, which was only a minor hit for them (Glenn Miller's version topped the charts) and is to be found at the end of CD 4.

There are plenty of duets with Bing Crosby here, among them being Pistol packing Mama, A hot time in the town of Berlin, Don't fence me in and Ac-cent-tchu-ate the positive.

Other classic songs to be found here are Bei mir bist du schoen, Hold tight hold tight, Beer barrel polka (better known as Roll out the barrel), Ferryboat serenade, Beat me Daddy eight to the bar, I'll be with you in apple blossom time, Shoo-shoo baby, Rum and Coca-cola, Christmas Island, Near you, I can dream can't I and I wanna be loved.

When I first found out about this set, I was hoping it would make a lot of my other Andrews sisters compilations redundant. It doesn't because it includes other rarities not available elsewhere. In that sense, it's even better. Jasmine records (the label responsible for this release) have also released a double CD (Now is the time) containing even more rarities. Between the six CD's, they contain much for Andrews sisters fans to get excited about, but there are a few tracks not released by Jasmine that are available on other CD's.

You can find a track listing at Jasmine's website. October 14, 2004

The most complete collection you will find!

I've searched high and low trying to find the most complete collection of Andrews Sisters songs available. This set contains four CDs with 101 tracks. These songs are the original studio recordings (many of their best with Bing Crosby are included) and they sparkle with clarity. For any true Andrews Sisters fan, I would recommend this collection together with "Now is the Time" which is the "sister" collection to "Golden Age," a 2 disc set containing all of the recordings not found on "Golden Age." If you are an Andrews Sisters fan, you must buy these two collections from Jasmine Records! August 6, 2004

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