The 50's Remembered: Pop Vocalists Era - Female

A multi-volume retrospective of the pop vocalists era (although neither volume is individually designated from the other; a curious twist or perhaps a mere oversight), the second entry into the series features a 16-track collection of sides from female singers who recorded with success primarily for Decca and Kapp Records. Again, like the first volume, this is lush, romantic pop music of the highest order, and there's much great music to be savored here. While the first volume dabbled in the time frame of the pre-Elvis phenomena, this volume illustrates how pop music still consistently hit the charts during the rock & roll era. Toni Arden kicks thing off with "Besame Mucho," "Without Love (There Is Nothing)," "Padre," and her reading of "Non Dimenticar." Kitty Kallen is next with four tracks including her big hit, "Little Things Mean a Lot." The lush sound of Jane Morgan -- who was an expatriate star in France at the time of these recordings -- clocks in with four great ones, among them her international hit, "Fascination," and "Two Different Worlds," a beautiful duet with pianist Roger Williams. Closing out the compilation are four Broadway cabaret-tinged tracks by big voiced Sylvia Sims, including "I Could Have Danced All Night" and "The Night They Invented Champagne." For those who remember this side of the era fondly, this is a musical treasure of the highest order.