Connie Francis - Italian Favorites/More Italian Favorites

Born Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero, Connie Francis was one of the most successful female artists of the 50s and 60s. These two albums, originally released on the MGM label, are two of her best "internationally-themed" recordings. "Sings Italian Favorites" went as high as #4 on the Billboard Pop Albums chart when released, and the single "Mama" hit #8 on the Pop Singles chart. "More Italian Favorites" hit #9. Album Description

Connie Francis Fans Will Enjoy This One

This CD combines two albums that Connie Francis fans and Italians will truly enjoy. Lots of the old Italian songs that became popular in the U.S. in the 1950-60s. February 8, 2008

Connie at her Best

Connie sings Italian music with love in her heart.
Wonderful to listen to, even if you don't understand Italian. August 4, 2007

NICE ENTRY

These are Connie's first Italian recordings and also her highest charting. They have been released separately on CD several years ago, but it is nice to have them together to give folks an idea what an international singer Connie Francis is. She can capture the moment in any language and was especially fine in Italian. Of her 5 US Italian lps, Love Italian Style is the best. I hope it sees the light of day on CD. Some of the selections can be found on her Italian Collection 1 and 2. This particular CD boasts big production values with luscious arrangements you can almost eat up. Ah, Bella Connie. A feast for the ears and always a delight. May 21, 2006

Long overdue!

Finally, Connie's first two Italian LP's are available again in their complete forms. The "Italian Collections" were good, but it's so nice for the collector to have the original albums on disc again, since their separate CD incarnations of the late '90's went out of print in an instant. Connie in Italian is stunning to hear. Let's hope Collectables will get around to discovering the glories of Connie's entire MGM catalog! July 20, 2004

Never too much Italian favorites!

Issuing "Italian Favorites / More Italian Favorites" (two original LPs on 1 CD; 26 tracks; 79 min; all at surprisingly low price) Universal Music Enterprises went towards the expectations of Connie's fans which haven't had enough luck to buy Pendulum's separate CD editions of her early Italian recordings. This CD completes also Bear Family's incomplete (but expensive) collection of Connie's 1950s and early 1960s recordings (boxes "White sox..." and "Kissin', twistin'..."). One ought to have hope that Collectables won't cut in the middle and will continue reissuing the remaining Connie's `Italian' LPs (including Italian version of "Movie Greats Of The 60's" never issued in the USA).
However, "Italian Collection, vol. I & II" is still available on the market, but as a compilation of songs taken from various Connie's LPs it may not satisfy everyone. Especially that it doesn't bring to you leading Italian hits: "O Sole Mio", "Santa Lucia", "Torna A Surriento", "Funiculi, Funicula", "Scapricciatiello". All of them you can find right here, together with other twenty hits.
The quality of all recordings is high, for the first time I have found bass in these songs. But this warm, natural sound (compare it with metallic, pitchy and edgy sound on Bear Family discs!) was dearly paid: all low frequency distortions (not rare on this CD, e.g. blows into microphone, etc.) will punch you in the most unexpected moments.
When you adjust volume on your amplifier while listening to the first song ("Comm'e Bella A Stagione"), you will probably need to decrease it during the second. This subjective feeling of unequalized level of recordings will return during the playback of track no. 10 ("Do You Love Me Like You Kiss Me").
Worth mentioning are also the spelling mistakes found on the cover (in the titles of songs no. 3: should be "Arrivederci Roma", and no. 26: correctly is "The Loveliest Night Of The Year").
Despite all, hurry up and buy immediately! May 9, 2004

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