Various Artists - Ultra-Lounge: Cocktails With Cole Porter

Satisfaction guaranteed

In my opinion, Cole Porter was the finest song writer on first half of 20th century. He melt words and music and the product is always surprising. These bunch of songs sung by the aristocracy of singers is a sure bet. All are great versions but my favourite one is True love sung by Dean Martin. I've always found this song too "full of sugar" for my taste, a pretty melody but nothing more. Mr. Martin made the miracle, the song now swings and gets rid of the amount of sugar over it, and becomes a love song with a bit of spice.
Rest of songs are second to none and had become classic covers, Nat Cole; Ella; Amstrong, and the rest know how to serve a high class cocktail full of taste. Satisfaction guaranteed.
I apologize for my english.
November 29, 2007

cocktails with class!

This CD will create the perfect ambiance for your cocktail hour and will signify to your guests that you are the hostess with the most-est! My favorite is "Let's Fall in Love"--a timeless classic. November 22, 2007

Great music for the car

This is great music for the road. The songs are upbeat and the variety of artists makes it very enjoyable. These older favorites bring back great memories. It's easy to skip to the next song if you don't care for a particular song or artist. I've given this CD as gifts to family and friends. October 17, 2007

Great Cole Porter Compilation

This is a fabulous CD for Cole Porter fans! It has a mix of hip style by the best singers of American standards. Bought this for a gift since I already own it. June 22, 2007

Not just for breakfast any more

I am a fan of Cole Porter's music. His lyrics are clever, amusing and, at times, sublime. The man is in a class of his own. Whether sung by Frank Sinatra or Alanis Morissette, his songs elevate the performer to their level (not that Sinatra needed to be elevated). They are timeless and classic, which is illustrated pretty well in this collection. He was sometimes naughty: the double-entendres in "Always True to You in My Fashion" and "Let's Do It (Let's Fall in Love)" always make me chuckle. He was sentimental: "Ev'ry time we say goodbye / I die a little / Ev'ry time we say goodbye / I wonder why a little / Why the gods above me / Who must be in the know / Think so little of me / They allow you to go." Most of all, he epitomized urbane: "I dined at home / in Rome next to Venice / I'd climb the Alps / but the Alps are a menace." He could turn a phrase like no other. Not every song here is representative of the best Cole Porter has to offer, however. His songs have been interpreted every which way and not all are to my liking. For instance, I prefer Sinatra's slower, more soulful version of "What is This Thing Called Love" to the up-tempo one here from Kay Starr because the song is sung by someone who has had his or her heart broken. "I Happen to Like New York," although slightly amusing in its deference to Judy Garland, isn't very melodic or especially witty. Likewise, "Miss Otis Regrets" would be largely forgettable if not for Nat "King" Cole's marvelous rendering. The song, which is sort of an updated "Frankie and Johnny," allegedly stems from a line Mr. Porter overheard a waiter utter at restaurant. Additionally, the CD contains only twenty songs, which means many fantastic tunes had to be left out. Absent from this brief selection are such notables as "You're the Top," "Brush Up Your Shakespeare," "I Get a Kick Out of You," "Too Darn Hot," "Begin the Beguine" and "I Hate Men." Nonetheless, even if you thought you would never like a song by Liza Minnelli, give this CD a few spins.

January 3, 2007

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