Cocktails

On this CD:

1. Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 in D major, BWV 1050 Allegro
Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performed by Camerata Romana

2. Concerto, for 2 pianos, percussion & orchestra, Sz. 115, BB 121 Unspecified Allegro for Brass
Composed by Bela Bartok

3. Impromptu for piano in A flat major, D. 899/4 (Op. 90/4)
Composed by Franz Schubert
Performed by Sylvia Capova

4. String Quintet in E major, Op. 11/5, G275 Minuet
Composed by Luigi Boccherini
Performed by John Arpin Palm Court Trio

5. The Swan (from "Carnival of the Animals"), original (for 2 pianos & ensemble) and arrangements The Swan
Composed by Camille Saint-Saens
Performed by London Festival Orchestra

6. Nutcracker, ballet, Op.71 Waltz of the Flowers
Composed by Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky
Performed by Berlin Festival Orchestra

7. Suite for orchestra No 2 in B minor, BWV 1067 Minuet and Badinerie
Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performed by London Philharmonic Orchestra

8. Liebesträume, notturno for piano in A-flat major No. 3 (O Lieb, so lang du lieben kannst), S. 541/3 (LW A103/3)
Composed by Franz Liszt
Performed by Sylvia Capova

9. Les Contes d'Hoffmann, opera in 4 acts Barcarolle
Composed by Jacques Offenbach

10. Prince Igor, opera (completed by Rimsky-Korsakov & Glazunov) Polovstian Dance No. 17: Excerpt
Composed by Alexander Borodin
Performed by Ljubljana Radio Symphony Orchestra and Chorus

11. Moment musical for piano in F minor ("Air russe"), D. 780/3 (Op. 94/3)
Composed by Franz Schubert
Performed by Sylvia Capova

12. Frühlingsstimmen (Voices of Spring), waltz for orchestra (with voice ad lib), Op. 410 (RV 410)
Composed by Johann II Strauss
Performed by Vienna Folk Opera Orchestra

13. Gymnopedie for piano No.1, for piano
Composed by Erik Satie
Performed by Raymond Spasovski

Tracks:

Just One of Those Things - Nat King Cole
It's De-Lovely - Ella Fitzgerald
True Love - Dean Martin
Anything Goes - Tony Bennett/Count Basie
Easy To Love - Sammy Davis Jr
C'est Magnifique - Kay Starr
Night And Day - Steve Lawrence
My Heart Belongs To Daddy - Julie London
Ridin' High - Peggy Lee
High Society Calypso - Louis Armstrong
What Is This Thing Called Love - Keely Smith
I Love Paris - Kay Starr
You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To - Nancy Wilson
I Happen To Like New York - Judy Garland
I've Got You Under My Skin - Louis Prima & Keely Smith
Looking At You - Liza Minnelli
Always True To You In My Fashion - Peggy Lee & George Shearing
Let's Do It (Let's Fall In Love) - Duke Ellington & Ella Fitzgerald
Miss Otis Regrets - Nat King Cole
Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye - Sarah Vaughan

Customer Reviews:

Great Cole Porter Compilation.......2007-06-22

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.

Not just for breakfast any more.......2007-01-04

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.

Great music, terrible packaging.......2004-10-26

A very good compilation, musically speaking (except for the odd inclusion of the jarring Judy Garland number). But, for fans of the Ultra Lounge series, there leaves a little bit to be desired. It's as if this CD was slapped together in haste. The overall packaging could be better, and should be better (Porter's name, afterall, is often spoken in the same breath as the words "style" and "sophistication"). Gone is the defining groovy artwork that has been synonymous with all of the other Ultra Lounge offerings. The liner notes are lacking in style and content, even leaving some artists out altogether (poor Kay Starr!). There are no bonus hidden tracks this time around, either. Come on Ultra Lounge! You used to be cool!

Great Music.......2004-07-31

We love to listen to cocktail music while we are making dinner or socializing with friends, and this is a great listen. Some of the songs are so-so, but overall I would recommend it. You deserve it, the music is fun.

Swingin' Cole Porter Classics.......2004-06-16

"Cocktails With Cole Porter" mixes some of Porter's best songs with the best jazz / lounge performers from the 40s, 50s, and 60s, creating one of THE best compilations in the entire Ultra Lounge series.

Porter's songs are timeless and easily recognizable, even for those who may have never heard of him. The entire CD is top notch including such gems as Ella Fitzgerald's "It's De-Lovely," Louis Armstrong's "High Society Calypso," and "Anything Goes" by Tony Bennett and Count Basie.

This CD is great for Porter fans as well as Ultra Lounge loyalists, and the perfect prelude to the new Cole Porter film due out in July. No doubt, a de-lovely addition to any swingin' music library.

Performance and Cocktails
Average customer rating:

Great Performance (and Cocktails)

Great album

hit and miss...mostly miss

American Perspective

Stomp Rock Brit/Welsh Style At Its Best

Performance and Cocktails
Stereophonics
Manufacturer: V2 Ada
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
Britpop | British Alternative | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
General | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
General | Rock | Styles | Music
Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
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Language. Sex. Violence. Other?

The Man Who

You Gotta Go There to Come Back

Final Straw

ASIN: B00000K29Z
Release Date: 1999-09-14

Tracks:

Roll Up And Shine
The Bartender And The Thief
Hurry Up And Wait
Pick A Part That's New
Just Looking
Half The Lies You Tell Ain't True
I Wouldn't Believe Your Radio
T-Shirt Sun Tan
Is Yesterday, Tomorrow, Today?
A Minute Longer
She Takes Her Clothes Off
Plastic California
I Stopped To Fill My Car Up

Amazon.com

Stereophonics have evolved remarkably since they were a Welsh covers band who once prided themselves on the authenticity of their Jimi Hendrix set. Though that 1960s influence is muted on the follow-up to their million-selling debut, Word Gets Around, there are enough hard riffs and vocal shred on the power trio's sophomore outing to evoke more contemporary Seattle comparisons. His band's whirlwind success have informed singer-songwriter Kelly Jones' lyrics and vocal persona with some refreshingly wide-eyed cynicism to season his band's hard-edged pop bent. Though they evoke comparisons to everyone from the Faces to Alice in Chains, Stereophonics are clearly carving their own niche, especially on the infectious "She Take Her Clothes Off," the acoustic-rooted "I Wouldn't Believe Your Radio," the raucous opener "Roll Up and Shine," and "A Minute Longer." Like many ambitious young musicians before them, Jones and company have written about the world they've seen from the back of a bar, a tour bus window, and through TV's jaundiced filter; it's the cinematic grace, wit, and humanity of those observations that sets them apart from their Brit-pop peers and forecasts even greater things to come. --Jerry McCulley

Album Description

The Welsh indie rock trio's 1999 sophomore release featuring the U.K. top three hit 'The Bartender And The Thief' and the single 'Just Looking'. 13 tracks in all.

Album Details

Japanese Version featuring Four Bonus Tracks.

Customer Reviews:

Great Performance (and Cocktails).......2006-10-23

This was the last Stereophonics album that I purchased, and I wish that I had gotten it a lot sooner. Magnificent. All of the tracks are well mixed and the clarity of Kelly's vocals is crystal clear. What a sweet album, and by saying that I mean that I'm glad they chose to show some of their heart on it. Performance includes some of the most beautiful songs the group has ever put together in my opinion. Case in point being "Hurry Up and Wait". This song makes sense if you put it into context concerning the state of peoples beliefs in this day and age. I think they are saying be patient and the good things in life will come to you. In the same context is the track "Is Yesterday, Tommorrow, Today?". But I'm not saying that this album only has slow or mellow tracks. If you want to hear driving rock and roll, just listen to "Roll Up and Shine", "The Bartender and the Thief", and "T-Shirt Sun Tan". Excellent if you really want to get your head bobbing. However, the best two tracks on the album are of the slower variety. "I Stopped to Fill My Car Up" is beautiful in the fact that it's such a creepy tune. And the best has got to be "Just Looking". It's got great verses that build up to crashing choruses. Magical, just magical. This is definately one for anyone who likes great music and especially if they are fans of The Stereophonics.

Great album.......2005-04-11

This, the Stereophonics 2nd album, is leaps and bounds beyond its predecessor, Word Gets Around, in terms of production, songwriting, and performance. From the brutal opener of Roll Up and Shine to the storming rockers like The Bartender and The Thief, Half of the Lies You Tell Ain't True, and T-Shirt Sun Tan, to the pretty She Takes Her Clothes Off, I Wouldn't Believe Your Radio, and Plastic California, this album is rock-solid (pun intended!). The closer is a little long-winded and repetitive, and there are some limp ballads (Just Looking, Hurry Up and Wait) but overall, this is a solid album!

hit and miss...mostly miss.......2004-10-14

if you can get past the grating voice of the lead singer, you might find this album mildly enjoyable. The record is very schizophrenic and doesn't really put a stamp on what it's trying to do. The band is at their best when they ease off the pedal and put some rythum into their music. There are three great songs on this album - Hurry Up and Wait, A Minute Longer and I Stopped to Fill My Car Up - that exemplify the band's strength. But anytime they try and reach beyond their capabilities, the music falls apart. Having said that, the 3 great songs, along with 4 or 5 more decent ones, are worth the money. It's not the greatest album in the world, but it's not bad.

American Perspective.......2004-04-20

Grunge is just a memory now as the American masses go after Kid Rock. But bands like Stereophonics have been doing the great old punk/metal thing for a few years, and this new record was actually up for this year's Mercury Prize. Songs like "The Bartender and The Thief" and "T-shirt Sun Tan" are classic songs to get excited about. Also they are big on ballads, that show a softer side to the power trio from Wales. I saw them recently live, and they are entertaining, with singer Kelly Jones' head to the side approach, and the drummer Stuart Cable had as much energy as Keith Moon. Finally here's a band who can take the mantel from Oasis and Nirvana. A record for those who want to rock out!

(www.freewilliamsburg.com)

Stomp Rock Brit/Welsh Style At Its Best.......2001-12-01

The Sterophonics' second album offers a refreshing offering of Brit Stomp Rock (except they are Welsh). What a great album, full of great guitar hooks and band leader Kelly Jones' personal views of life and relationships.

The album starts of with a rousing "Roll Up and Shine", as good an album opener as you will find. The next track "The Bartender and The Thief" (one of the album's highly succesful singles in the UK) is an up-uptempo rocker, just great. "Hurry Up and Wait" (another of the singles) is an accoustic-based slower song, contemplating the question of why we wanna hurry up all the time. "Half The Lies" is one of the album's best tracks, another stomp-along tracks, and the same can be said for the ironically titled "Is Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow", demonstrating Kelly Jones' smart lyrics. "I Wouldn't Believe Your Radio" (another single) stems from a dream Kelly had about "Ringo Starr and George Harrison singing in front of my parents' house", and while originally intended to be sung by drummer Stuart Cable (in the vein of Ringo Starr), in the end Kelly has lead vocals on this one.

This album was the break-through for the Stereophonics in the UK and it's easy to see why: great melodies, great guitar hooks, and interesting themes. The band has made some headway in the US this year (most recently opening for U2), but they deserve much better. BUY IT!

Ultimate Christmas Cocktails
Average customer rating:

It's Christmas...It's Ultralounge!

That's Not TRUE - DISC 3 IS AVAILABLE SEPARATELY

Disc 3 only available here? How disappointing?

A Gold Star for Great Music, A Lump of Coal for Packaging

Capitol Offense/Great Holiday Music

Ultimate Christmas Cocktails
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
Opera & Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
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Wonderland: Cool December

Wonderland: Yulesville

Ultra-Lounge Christmas Cocktails, Pt. 3

Ultra-Lounge Christmas Cocktails, Pt. 2

ASIN: B0002W4UQQ
Release Date: 2004-09-28

Tracks:

Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer Mambo - Billy May
Winter Wonderland - Peggy Lee
Christmas Trumpets/We Wish You A Very Merry Christmas - Ray Anthony
Christmas Is - Lou Rawls
Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town/White Christmas - Jimmy McGriff
I'd Like You For Christmas - Julie London
Holiday On Skis - Al Caiola & Riz Ortolani
(Everybody's Waitin' For) The Man With The Bag - Kay Starr
Jingle Bells/Jingle Bell Rock - Hollyridge Strings
I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm - Dean Martin
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus/Jingle Bells Bossa Nova - Eddie Dunstedter
Christmas Kisses - Ray Anthony
I'll Be Home For Christmas/Baby, It's Cold Outside - Jackie Gleason/Jack Marshall
What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? - Nancy Wilson
Cha-Cha All The Way - Capitol Studio Orchestra
The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas To You) - Nat King Cole
The Nutcracker Suite - Les Brown & His Band Of Renown
Ring Those Christmas Bells - Fred Waring & The Pennsylvanians

Tracks:

Sleigh Ride/Jingle Bells - Al Caiola
Jingle All the Way - Lena Horne
Merry Christmas, Baby - Lou Rawls
Warm December - Julie London
Let It Snow!/Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer - Eddie Dunstedter
The Merriest - June Christy
All I Want for Christmas (Is My Two Front Teeth) - Nat King Cole Trio
The Christmas Waltz - Nancy Wilson
I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm/Jing-A-Ling - Les Brown
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus - Jimmy McGriff
Baby, It's Cold Outside - Dean Martin
Snowfall/Snowfall Cha-Cha - George Shearing/Billy May
Jingle Bell Rock - Wayne Newton
Frosty the Snowman - The Ventures
Christmas Island - Bob Atcher & The Dinning Sisters
Exotic Night - Martin Denny
Happy Holiday - Peggy Lee
Sleigh Ride/Santa Claus' Party - Les Baxter
Auld Lang Syne - Guy Lombardo
What Is a Santa Claus? - Stan Kenton

Tracks:

Baby It's Cold Outside - Sammy Davis, Jr. & Carmen McRae
Frosty The Snowman - Bing Crosby
Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town - Lena Horne
Jingle Bells - Johnny Mercer
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! - Wayne Newton
That's What I Want For Christmas - Nancy Wilson
Winter Wonderland - Dean Martin (alternate take)
Do You Believe In Santa Claus? - Billy May
White Christmas - Peggy Lee
Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer - Al Martino
A Mashmallow World - Ray Anthony (previously unreleased)
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Lou Rawls
I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm - Julie London (previously unreleased)
Buon Natale (Merry Christmas To You) - Nat King Cole
Sorry To See You Go - June Christy (previously unreleased on CD)

Customer Reviews:

It's Christmas...It's Ultralounge!.......2006-12-17

I have always had a love/hate relationship with the Ultralounge series. What I have always loved about the entire series is that amidst the numerous tracks of 50's-60's lounge, oddities and rarities packed onto a cd, you will always find some great standards along with some hidden gems. The Ultralounge series are also visually stunning, full of kitchy, campy vintage commercial art, drink recipes and well scribed liner notes about all the music included. On the other hand, you will also get a handful of absurdities that may make you wonder why anyone actually recorded them and, better yet, who actually listened to them? (Did 50's lounge lizards actually buy and listen to an entire album of whistling?) The Ultimate Christmas Cocktails Box is no exception. Since I'm a sucker for re-packaged box sets, and since I didn't own the first two volumes, Ultimate Christmas Cocktails was a good find. Captital Records probably had the lion's share of that era's top vocalists and many are represented here doing their Christmas swing thing. If you enjoy vintage 50's-60's kitch and camp, you will enjoy the other tracks as well. There is a notable difference between the first two volumes of Christmas Cocktails and the third volume. Volumes 1 & 2, from the original series, have full booklets and each cd contains over 20 tracks each. Volume 3, was obviously not created by the original Ultralounge Marketing Team. It contains far fewer tracks, no booklet, and subsequently, is far less "visually entertaining". (That team has moved on to produce the "Wonderland" series) Ironically, though, it is the best out of the three discs as far as conistant song/artist selection and listenability. No need skip over the odd ducks. It is notable too, in that it contains a previously unreleased treasure...Julie London's version of "'I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm". I am a big London fan and have been playing this one on repeat since the first time I heard it. Wow. Talk about turning a song around 180 degrees! Compared to Dean Martin's "snuggle at the ski lodge" version, Julie has a fireplace in her bedroom and it's burning! All in all, this box set is a fun addition to a holiday collection...if you like music from the Golden Age of Christmas Albums...top vocalists of the era, singing their 2-3 minute musical Christmas Cards, with some high camp thrown in for retro yuletide cheer.

That's Not TRUE - DISC 3 IS AVAILABLE SEPARATELY.......2006-10-16

If you check on the Amazon website, all three discs are available separately under the name "Ultra-Lounge Christmas Cocktails, Pt. 1, Pt. 2, Pt. 3" and at this writing (10/16/06) all three discs are for sale at $7.99 each or the box set (Ultimate Christmas Cocktails) for $20.99. Either way, it's a fantastic bargain for such an eclectic mix of 50s and 60s Christmas music staples.

Don't downgrade your review of this Box set based on erroneous information.

Disc 3 only available here? How disappointing?.......2005-02-07

As an owner of disc one and two purchased from Amazon, I was really disappointed to find, as others have, that disc three is only available in this set. Is this a joke? We all need to write to Capital Records and complain. Why would part one and two be available and not part three? Maybe Amazon should allow those of us who bought parts 1 and 2 from them to exchange them for the 3 disc set. It would be good business practice IMHO. Hopefully Capital will hear our plea and offer disc 3 on its own.

Coming back to this review in 2006, one year after I wrote the 1st part of this review, Disc 3 is now available on its own, so I will now say that this set deserves 4 stars.

A Gold Star for Great Music, A Lump of Coal for Packaging.......2004-12-25

Yes, I'm on board with the rest of the reviewers on this. As a proud owner of Volumes 1 & 2 for several years I can't believe Capitol is punishing me and others by offering Volume 3 only in the boxed set. If you do not own these and are a fan of 1950's and 1960's tinsel time music that is different (and better) than the ordinary, you will love this material...BUY A SET TODAY ! unless your afraid they'll come out with Vol 4 only available in a box set next year. Come on Capitol, cut your loyal customers and fans a break and release Volume 3 as a single CD.

Capitol Offense/Great Holiday Music.......2004-12-13

Yes, I agree with the other reviewers wholeheartedly that this is a major marketing blunder by Capitol Records, so a big "bah humbug" to the Scrooges at Capitol who decided to release Volume Three as part of this set only.

With that having been said, we're really reviewing the music and artists represented here and they're all great. These are fun and festive recordings with a bit of swing and swagger that will enliven your holiday cocktail parties, dinners, whatever. Whenever we play them one of our guests inevitably asks what we are playing. Cuts by June Christy, Dean Martin, Nat King Cole, Peggy Lee, Lena Horne, Les Brown, Nancy Wilson, Billy May, Julie London and many more are included here and all are performing at the peak of their talent.

If you're a fan of great music and some of the best artists of the '50's and '60's or of all time you will love this collection. I highly recommend it. When will Capitol get around to releasing June Christy's This Time of Year on CD? A second cut from this album is included on Volume Three.

Average customer rating:

So Much Funk!
His Best!!!
One of Short's better CD's
An Evolutionary Step for Short Dogg
By far his best album

Cocktails
Too Short
Manufacturer: Jive
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Gangsta & Hardcore | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

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Get in Where You Fit In
Gettin' It (Album Number Ten)
Short Dog's in the House
Life Is...Too Short
Shorty the Pimp

ASIN: B000000528
Release Date: 1995-01-24

Tracks:

Ain't Nothing Like Pimpin'
Cocktales
Can I Get A ****
Coming Up $hort
Thangs Change
Paystyle
Giving Up The Funk
Top Down
We Do This
Game
Sample The Funk
Don't **** For Free

Customer Reviews:

So Much Funk!.......2007-05-16

1994-1995 was an awesome period in hip-hop. Too Short definitely gets his pim strut on real big here. Now, I may not be a big fan of pimp/misogyny rap, and Short is huge on this, but I cannot deny it, he is cool; I have 11 of his albums! He flows easy and simple over the syrupy funk of the beats. Many complain about Too Short's rhyme schemes, but I do like his flow, and he does rhyme well. Now, the beats definitely slap with that 90's G-Funk syrupy vibe courtesy of the Dangerous Crew, Shorty B, Pee Wee, Spearhead X, Short himself, and of course, long time cuddy Ant Banks!! My favorite song here is the Banks and Short collabo, "Can I Get A B---h." The beat is that type you envision ridin' on 3 wheel with triple gold on a famed sunny Cali day! Banks beat here is one of his best ever. Banks also heats up the beat with some old school flava on the pimp style rider anthem, "Top Down." 2Pac, Father Dom, and Flint Mi.'s great MC Breed trade relentless flows over a bouncy Dangerous Crew beat on "We Do This." "Thangs Change" takes a different approach. Spearhead X and Short Dog create a slow bass heavy G-Funk beat while Short analyzes how screwed up life can be and how values in society have changed over the decades trading spits with Malik, Jamal (from Illegal), and the youngsta from Atlanta Baby D. "Paystyle" is hot with a slick rollin' beat and deep bass and Short gets his hustle on makin that cheddar while buckin' down mark azz MC's. I don't like the simplistic sampling on "Giving Up The Funk," for the sample has been overused and sounds so generic here. But for the most part, the beats are bangin' with that mid 90's bay area fonk! Pimp rap was nathan new to Short Dog in 1994/1995, but he always brings that charisma, and why change a winning formula?

His Best!!!.......2006-09-30

OK...Get In Where You Fit In was my favorite, I have to say that this is his Best Album. The beats are very good and bump endlessly. His lyrical pimp-hand seems to be at its strongest. I definetly feel that this embodies a good majority of his work. Point being, cop this and play it everytime you're chillin w/your friends or drivin around your city. Peace!

One of Short's better CD's.......2006-03-21

Cocktales is one of Shorty's best CD's in my opinion. You can ride the to the whole CD except for Thangs Change. Besides for that one song the CD is great. It also features a song by 2pac and MC breed a good mix of cali. Not too much to say about cocktails except for a good album name for Short and overall a A- CD. My favorite song is coming up short then top down. Obviously i've gotta reccommend almost every short album cause im a fan but this CD is good even if your not a true fan like me. Beeyatch! For every Too Short review check out my other reviews

An Evolutionary Step for Short Dogg.......2006-01-11

I recently purchsed this album after buying all the albums Short recorded before it. I saw the video for Top Down and thgouht the beat was tight so i coped the album cuz you cant go wrong with Short dogg. After bumpin Top Down for 20 minutes, I went on to listen to the album. It is funky, but with a different touch of funk than say Shorty the Pimp or Get In Where You Fit In. Dont get it twisted, this is definetly some straight Cokeland funk, but you can tell Short is moving away from his old school roots in testing new sounds and beats. I do have to give credit though to Ant Banks, that fool can never make a bad funk beat. Him and Short together is like a dynamic duo never heard in the rap game. Especially in the Bay Area. Top Down is definetly the thumper of this album. His raps are on point because you will want to bump these beats all over town. Too $hort is one of those rappers you just are not ashamed of. He has street cred, pimpin' game, and has produced some of the funkiest, tightest bass loops around. Too bad this was the last true funk album before $hort got a lil wanksta on us all.

By far his best album.......2005-12-08

This in my opinion is his finest album. An ablum where you don't have to hit the Fast forward button once, every track is worth the playtime. With a smooth blend of bass line beats with tales of pimpin' to compliment that...it can't be beat. 5 stars.

(Not) Your Standard Spike Jones Collection

Average customer rating:

Great set of wartime rarities
Cure for the Blues
Standard Transcription Collection

(Not) Your Standard Spike Jones Collection
Spike Jones
Manufacturer: Collector's Choice
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General | Comedy | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Contemporary Comedy | Comedy | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Strictly for Music Lovers
Spike Jones - Greatest Hits
Fonk
Spiked!: The Music of Spike Jones
The Spike Jones Story

ASIN: B00007JR3K
Release Date: 2003-04-08

Album Description

Holiday blues comin' on? Well, put a spike in `em! Here's the zaniest, wildest and just plain sickest Collectors' Choice Music exclusive yet—79 tracks from Spike Jones and his City Slickers! These represent Spike's complete Standard Transcription sides, but these tunes are anything but standard; Mr. Jones brought his full bag of tricks for these non-commercial recordings (made in Hollywood during the early `40s). Add to that the fact that most of these have never been on CD or even LP, and any lover of Spike's mayhem-filled mixture of laughs and hot licks is going to flip over this set! Notes and great pictures accompany this 3-CD walk on the wacky side from the greatest novelty band of all time.

Customer Reviews:

Great set of wartime rarities.......2003-05-14

Spike Jones was the king of the novelty song performers, with hits like "Der Fuehrer's Face" and the parody version of "Sheik of Araby" becoming huge hits during World War II. This is a swell 3-CD set, gathering a full eighty-one of Jones' best tracks from his 1940s heyday, drawn from an extensive archive of radio broadcasts made for the Standard Transcription service. The tightness of his City Slickers band is amply demonstrated in these manic, kookily orchestrated performances. Toots, squonks, blatts and bleats whiz by at lightning speed, as one daffy song after another will delight devoted fans. Amazingly, Jones had the unusual, almost unique ability to perform a repertoire almost entirely made up of comedic material, and yet still be quite listenable and engaging. His jazz chops were hardly in question, and from time to time Jones would dash off a non-novelty ballad or two, just to give the rubes something to think about. Of course, just as often he would perform a song that *sounded* like a straight ballad, but would turn out to be another goof. (One great example of this is the sultry "Serenade To A Jerk," sung in slinky, burlesque tones by Myrtle Horwin.) This collection may seem a little overwhelming, but like his studio recordings, these radio performances have a certain brilliance and joie de vivre about them that will leave you enchanted. Definitely worth checking out!

Cure for the Blues.......2003-04-25

Here's the zaniest, wildest and just plain sickest Collectors' Choice Music exclusive yet-79 tracks from Spike Jones and his City Slickers! These represent Spike's complete Standard Transcription sides, but these tunes are anything but standard; Mr. Jones brought his full bag of tricks for these non-commercial recordings (made in Hollywood during the early `40s). Add to that the fact that most of these have never been on CD or even LP, and any lover of Spike's mayhem-filled mixture of laughs and hot licks is going to flip over this set! Notes and great pictures accompany this 3-CD walk on the wacky side from the greatest novelty band of all time.

Standard Transcription Collection.......2003-04-12

This collection has remastered material from the large stack of Standard Transcription discs from the early 1940's. There are many songs not recorded on RCA, many on the theme of wartime ("48 Reasons Why"), and the quality is excellent. The packaging is threadbare but this is an essential CD package for true music lovers.

Ultra-Lounge: Christmas Cocktails, Part One

Average customer rating:

LOVE ULTRA LOUNGE! Have most all of them now
Nostalgic holiday songs
Perfect Holiday Music
People please...
One of the best Christmas collections out there...

Ultra-Lounge: Christmas Cocktails, Part One
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

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Holiday Music | Compilations | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

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Pop Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

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Pop Vocal | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
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Ultra-Lounge Christmas Cocktails, Pt. 2
Ultra-Lounge Christmas Cocktails, Pt. 3
Martinis & Mistletoe
Rhino: Swingin Christmas
Verve Presents: Very Best of Christmas Jazz

ASIN: B000002UFL
Release Date: 1996-09-03

Tracks:

Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer Mambo - Billy May
Winter Wonderland - Peggy Lee
Christmas Trumpets/We Wish You A Verry Merry... - Ray Anthony
Christmas Is - Lou Rawls
Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town/White Christmas - Jimmy McGriff
I'd Like You For Christmas - Julie London
Holiday On Skis - Al Caiola & Riz Ortolani
(Everybody's Waitin' For) The Man With The Bag - Kay Starr
Jingle Bells/Jingle Bell Rock - Hollyridge Strings
I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm - Dean Martin
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus/Jingle Bells... - Eddie Dunstedter
Christmas Kisses - Ray Anthony
I'll Be Home For Christmas/Baby, It's Cold Outside - Jackie Gleason/Jack Marshall
What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? - Nancy Wilson
Cha-Cha All The Way - Capitol Studio Orchestra
The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas To You) - Nat King Cole
The Nutcracker Suite - Les Brown & His Band Of Renown
Ring Those Christmas Bells - Fred Waring & The Pennsylvanians
Bonus Track - Christmas Cocktails
Bonus Track - Christmas Cocktails
Bonus Track - Christmas Cocktails

Amazon.com

A perfect martini-and-mistletoe combo, Christmas Cocktails will gaily seduce you with its bevy of nostalgic and occasionally campy holiday fare. Vocal vixens Peggy Lee, Julie London (her "I'd Like You for Christmas" will melt the ice cubes in your fridge), Kay Starr, and Nancy Wilson join forces with perennial crooners such as Lou Rawls, Dean Martin, and the immortal Nat "King" Cole, along with a handful of instrumental big-band numbers and odd, at times cheese-ball-shaped jazz organ pieces from Jimmy McGriff and the flammable Eddie Dundstedter, among others. But the essential item that makes plunking down your pelts for this very chi-chi set is none other than Billy May's lovably kitschy workout called "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer Mambo." It's a scream. The package comes complete with its own cocktail minimanual and the recipes for Hot Toddys and Hot Tom and Jerrys. Garishly retro and naughtily nostalgic, this kind of slinky Christmas gift should probably be illegal in many prudish states. --Martin Keller

Customer Reviews:

LOVE ULTRA LOUNGE! Have most all of them now.......2007-05-12

Nothing can be finer that Ultra Lounge - never a bad thing to say.

Nostalgic holiday songs.......2006-12-26

For an enjoyable beginning or end of the holiday rush, check out Capitol Record's compilation of Christmas tracks that hail back to the late 1950s and 1960s, Ultra-Lounge: Christmas Cocktails, Part One. The cd includes re-mastered recordings gathered for one's nostalgic listening pleasure. Indeed, several of the tracks are by obscure and not so obscure artists that have not seen the light of day since their vinyl release, but are now included to entertain every listener during the holiday season.

Christmas Cocktails has an eclectic mix of songs. The cd includes 18 tracks plus four bonuses. Most of the songs are instrumentals with a little impromptu vocal breaks here and there giving listeners that "lounge" or "let's have a party" feel -- "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reinder," "Cha-Cha All The Way." The ever so popular '60s instrumentalists, The Hollyridge Strings provide their wall of sound-like rendition of "Jingle Bells/Jingle Bell Rock" while Eddie Dunstedter plays a relaxing yet exotic version of "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus/Jingle Bells Bossa Nova." Al Ciola and Riz Ortolani play a polynesian sounding instrumental,"Holiday on Skis," which makes one feel like gliding down the slopes. Also, there's a little jazz by the legends, Peggy Lee's "Winter Wonderland," the slow but sensual renderings by Julie London, "I'd Like You For Christmas," and Nancy Wilson's "What are you doing New Year's Eve?" Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians will have listeners cackling and caroling with very the cheerful, "Ring Those Christmas Bells."

Ultra-Lounge: Christmas Cocktails, Part One may not be for the traditional Christmas carol listener. However, for those who have an ear for the unusual or want to hear a little holly jolly tunes, this may be the cd to add to your holiday collection.

Perfect Holiday Music.......2006-11-03

This is a jazzy and fun CD. Perfect for those holiday parties and gift wrapping. You can't help but be in a better mood when listening. I love it and highly recomend it.
Christina

People please..........2005-12-15

I bought because I thought it would have a cool cocktail sound. Wrong! It was obnoxious! I did not even get to the last song. I put it in the shredder so I would never listen to it again by accident.

One of the best Christmas collections out there..........2005-11-30

Those with a taste for an "old-fashioned" Christmas collection, though one with the campy kick that a retro Christmas CD really should have, can do no better than Part 1 of a now-3 disc series of loungey holiday confections from the Capitol music vaults. The jingle-jangle instrumentals from the likes of Billy May and the Jackie Gleason Orchestra are pleasant if overlong, but the vocal selections are unbeatable. Nancy Wilson's buttery crooning on perhaps the most romantic holiday song ("What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?") is delicious, as are Peggy Lee's "Winter Wonderland" and Dean Martin's "I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm". These discs are all worth owning, even if there's a too-soft chestnut or two amongst the treasures, and the swingin' 60's artwork is terrific.

Average customer rating:

Beer Bellied Pop Punk
Only one review! What the hell.
Absolutely cute!

Cocktails & Dreams
The Lawrence Arms
Manufacturer: Asian Man
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Punk Revival | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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Oh! Calcutta!
Ghost Stories
A Guided Tour of Chicago
The Greatest Story Ever Told
Apathy and Exhaustion

ASIN: B0009A1AIW
Release Date: 2005-06-21

Tracks:

Intransit
Quincentuple Your Money
100 Resolutions
There's No Place Like a Stranger's Floor
Hey, What Time Is "Pensacola: Wings of Gold" on Anyway?
Presenting: The Dancing Machine (The Robot With the Monkey Head)
Overheated
Necrotism: Decanting the Insalubrious (Cyborg Midnight), Pt. 7
Boring Story
Faintly Falling Ashes
Toast
Nebraska
Another Boring Story
Joyce Carol Oates Is a Boring Old Biddy
Old Timer's 2x4
Turnstiles/Old Mexico Way /Purple Haze
Old Mexico Way
Purple Haze
Heaven Help Me

Customer Reviews:

Beer Bellied Pop Punk.......2006-05-10

I never got into the Larry Arms until I got this cd. The first seven songs fly by and before you know it you're singing every single word.

The end of the cd should grow on you later.

Only one review! What the hell........2005-11-12

The Lawrence Arms are the greatest band ever. period.

Absolutely cute!.......2005-07-04

Wow! The drunken pooches have done it again! How did a song like '100 Resolutions' not get on one of their LPs?!?! I honestly think that is the best Lawrence Arms song, and is right up there with the Broadways 'Nautical Mile'. Just about every song on the album of B sides is pretty damn good, however, the remake of 'Turnstiles' wasnt exactly the best idea. They should have left that song alone; the original was fine the way it was. As for the remake of 'Old Timers 2X4', it practically sounds the same, just a bit heavier. I was amazed to find out that Brandon is singing towards the end of 'Another Boring Story'...he sounds almost exactly like Chris! Chris' only bad song is 'Joyce Carol Oates...', although thats probably the only bad song he has ever written. All in all, this is another great album for the ruffians of Lawrence Arms. The best thing that ever happened to the whole Chicago scene was to let Chris write songs. Who knew he'd be so damn good? He even displays his guitar abilities on 'A Toast', which is reminiscent to Chuck Berry/ 50 styles guitar. It seems that the Lawrence Arms simply cannot write unlikable tunes. Buy this album, it'll be just as rewarding as a big Lemon Chill! (or rasberry)

Average customer rating:

Sit back and have a cocktail with Cugi!!
At last a re-issue of a Mercury LP by Xavier Cugat!

Cugi's Cocktails
Xavier Cugat
Manufacturer: Verve
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Latin Music | Styles | Music

Latin Pop | Latin Music | Styles | Music

Mambo | Latin Music | Styles | Music

Rhumba | Latin Music | Styles | Music

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King Plays Some Aces: Cugat in Spain

ASIN: B0007KVAKW
Release Date: 2005-04-26

Tracks:

Cuba Libre
One Mint Julep
Old-Fashioned
Daiquiri
Cocktails for Two
Rum and Coca-Cola
Cugi's Cocktail
Grasshopper
Blue Champagne
Zombie
Manhattan
Singapore Sling

Customer Reviews:

Sit back and have a cocktail with Cugi!!.......2006-12-07

The cha cha, mambo, rhumba and bossa nova...ah, the old dances and great memories of the past for me. This is great music to pour a cold one or two (or more!!) and kick back and relax to.

This is one swinging record...oh, I mean CD.

At last a re-issue of a Mercury LP by Xavier Cugat!.......2005-04-10

I was very happy when I found out that Cugi's Cocktails was to be re-issued by UMG/Verve, although I would have been more happy if this re-issue came from America instead of Germany since I think I would have got some more information on the sleeve in that case. But I have been in contact with Verve in USA, and they said at that time that they were not interested in re-releasing the Cugat-LPs from Mercury, as it was not jazz. Anyway this is one of the very good LPs Cugat made for Mercury in the late 50s and early 60s. Cugi's Cocktails is probably the most "jazzy" record of the 9 LPs from that time, and the orchestra plays wonderfully as it always did. I - and many Cugat fan colleagues of mine all over the world - hope that Verve (Germany or USA) will re-release the rest of the LPs too - The Best of Cugat, Viva Cugat, Twist with Cugat, Cugat's Golden Goodies, Most Popular Movie Hits as Styled by Cugat, Cugat Plays Continental Hits, Cugat Plays the Music of Lecuona and Cugat Caricatures. There are also some recordings from the beginning of the 50s in Mercury's vaults, which would be very welcome on the market again.

Average customer rating:

YAY! A THIRD!!
For collectors
It doesnt go with the other 2
Shorter, but great
You put on a first class show and I'm sorry to see you go.

Ultra-Lounge Christmas Cocktails, Pt. 3
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Lounge | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music

Orchestral Pop | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Classic | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Opera & Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

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Ultra-Lounge Christmas Cocktails, Pt. 2
Ultra-Lounge: Christmas Cocktails, Part One
Martinis & Mistletoe
Wonderland: Cool December
Rhino: Swingin Christmas

ASIN: B000B19AV8
Release Date: 2005-09-27

Tracks:

Baby It's Cold Outside - Carmen McRae
Frosty The Snowman - Bing Crosby
Santa Clause Is Comin' To Town - Lena Horne
Jingle Bells - Johnny Mercer
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! - Wayne Newton
That's What I Want For Christmas - Nancy Wilson
Winter Wonderland - Dean Martin
Do You Believe In Santa Claus? - Billy May
White Christmas - Peggy Lee
Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer - Al Martino
A Marshmallow World - Ray Anthony
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Lou Rawls
I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm - Julie London
Buon Natale (Means Merry Christmas To You) - Nat King Cole
Sorry To See You Go - June Christy

Customer Reviews:

YAY! A THIRD!!.......2007-05-13

Love this kind of music - can't get enough - have most all of the CDs. Excellent New Jersey-based company with excellent foresight and retro-understanding for the best party and jazz combos. Excellent choice for any kind of day or evening, party or relaxation time.

For collectors.......2007-02-01

If you are into the Ultra Lounge series as I am, then you will want this album in your collection. I have the previous two Christmas albums which I think are better than this 3rd addition, but still worth having if you are a fan of this stuff.

It doesnt go with the other 2.......2007-01-10

I love the Christmas Cocktails Cd's. They are my favorite "New" Christmas albums, and although this cd is good, it doesnt fit well with the christmas cocktails I and II. The songs are nice but not as eccletic as the original 2 albums. I dont like the version of "baby its cold outside" with sammy davis jr. and Carmen Mcrae, its more creepy than cute. And what i thought would be good,"Sorry to See you Go" by June Christy, is just a bad song altogether and so is "Do you Believe in Santa Claus",- not good. On the other hand all the other songs are great, "Jingle Bells" by Johnny mercer, is "Cocktail Worthy" as is the slow and sultry version of "ive got my Love to Keep me Warm" by Julie London and Nancy Wilsons "Thats What i want for Christmas".

Shorter, but great.......2007-01-10

I have been a fan of Ultra Lounge for almost ten years, and was happy to see another Christmas collection come out. True, it is not as long as the previous two, but it is every bit as entertaining. Sit back and enjoy... or use it as background music, in your bachelor pad, when you have a dame over... either way it will be loads of fun.

You put on a first class show and I'm sorry to see you go........2006-12-16

This CD originally came out only as part of a set with Christmas Cocktails Parts 1 and 2. Some people must have complained that they didn't want to have to buy Parts 1 and 2 all over again just to get Part 3, because a year later Part 3 was released on it's own. It is somewhat disappointing, for a few reasons. While the first two CDs were both over an hour long, this one is under 40 minutes. And this CD has no liner notes to speak of, not even listing when the songs were recorded and other important information. Like, who is the girl singing "A Marshmallow World" by bandleader Ray Anthony? I personally recognized Thurl Ravenscroft as the singer of Billy May's "Do You Believe in Santa Claus?", but most people wouldn't. But forgetting all of that, most of the music on this CD is quite enjoyable. If you enjoy traditional pop music, you'll probably like this CD.

The Songs of Sam Coslow: Cocktails for Two

Average customer rating:

OVERDUE NOSTALGIC TRIBUTE TO SONGWRITER SAM COSLOW

The Songs of Sam Coslow: Cocktails for Two
Sam Coslow
Manufacturer: Asv Living Era
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

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Curtains (2007 Original Broadway Cast)

ASIN: B000JU7I7Y
Release Date: 2007-05-08

Tracks:

Cocktails For Two - Carl Brisson
Was It a Dream? - The Revelers
True Blue Lou - Ethel Waters
Sweepin' The Clouds Away (Up On Top Of a Rainbow) - Maurice Chevalier
Just One More Chance - Bing Crosby
Sing, You Sinners - Valaida Snow
Moon Song, That Wasn't Meant For Me - Annette Hanshaw
Learn To Croon - Bing Crosby
Lay Your Head On My Shoulder, Dear - Sam Coslow
Thanks - Bing Crosby
The Day You Came Along - Bing Crosby
This Little Piggy Went To Market - Hutch
Troubled Waters - Duke Ellington
My Old Flame - Duke Ellington
A Little White Gardenia - Carl Brisson
In The Middle Of a Kiss - Connee Boswell
If You Can't Sing It, You'll Have To Swing It (Mr. Paganini) - The Mills Brothers
True Confession - Connee Boswell
Have You Forgotten So Soon? - Mildred Bailey
I'm In Love With the Honourable Mr. So-And-So - Frances Langford
The New Moon And an Old Serenade - Adelaide Hall
Make-Believe Island - Mitchell Ayres
Beware, My Heart - Margaret Whiting
Je Vous Aime - Dick Haymes
Fare Thee Well - Noel Coward

Customer Reviews:

OVERDUE NOSTALGIC TRIBUTE TO SONGWRITER SAM COSLOW.......2007-06-06

Compared to the Golden Age of Song reputations of Irving Berlin, Rodgers & Hart, Cole Porter and the Gershwin's and their identifiable popular catalogues, Sam Coslow's song-writing status has somewhat faded into the mists of time and he is now recalled as somewhat second league. However, Coslow was a prodigious contributor to Hollywood's early musicals and provided TRUE BLUE LOU, IF YOU CAN'T SING IT, YOU'LL HAVE TO SWING IT (MR PAGANINI) and I'M IN LOVE WITH THE HONORABLE MR SO-AND-SO as enduring songs. Surprisingly, he failed to crack the Broadway stage musical/revue to any extent and generally provided numerous popular hits until the 50's when he moved to London to undertake a similar movie function before he died in 1982.

Therefore this excellent collection serves as a pleasant reminder of Coslow's extensive body of work which with his collaborators included songs which became early hits for the upcoming Bing Crosby who naturally provides JUST ONE MORE CHANCE, LEARN TO CROON, THANKS and THE DAY YOU CAME ALONG for this collection. Covering the years 1928-1947, it's a joy to hear crisp and clear recordings by largely forgotten names like Annette Hanshaw (MOON SONG), Valaida Snow (SING YOU SINNERS) and Carl Brisson (COCKTAILS FOR TWO) with that latter number perhaps not surviving it's 1944 parody slaughter by Spike Jones and his City Slickers. Familiar vocalists - amongst them Dick Haymes (JE VOUS AIME), Margaret Whiting (BEWARE MY HEART), Maurice Chevalier (SWEEPIN' THE CLOUDS AWAY), Connee Boswell (IN THE MIDDLE OF A KISS) and last but not least Noel Coward (FARE THEE WELL) also contribute unfamiliar numbers with sometime singer Coslow himself providing the vocals for LAY YOUR HEAD ON MY SHOULDER, DEAR.

Revealing many surprises, it can be argued this overview is well worth its weight in nostalgic musical gold considering the somewhat neglected standing of Sam Coslow and with excellent remastering, informative notes and discography adding quality, this compilation is highly recommended.

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