THE KINGS OF ELEVATOR MUSIC

Ray Conniff was big during the late fifties through the seventies. He formed the Ray Conniff's Singers with 13 women and 12 men and recorded current hits of the day with his special arrangement. Usually I don't like cover versions, especially of current hits. But Ray Conniff was a rarities 'cos he recorded it with his special touch and sometimes his version are arguably even better than the originals. He is not called the King of elevator music for nothing. He composed occasionally. I remembered he did a medley of 'Killing Me Softly With His Song with one of his original entitled ' There Was A Girl'. That song was stunning to say the least and until today I can't get my hand on it. Burt Bacharach was no couch either when it came to composing classics. He have tons of those in the sixties as the CD below will testified.

RAY CONNIFF'S HAWAIIAN ALBUM : It wasn't my intention to get this album. Actually I've exchanged it from an earlier CD that I've bought which I don't like. And because the shop don't have anything that I like, I took this. I took this partly because I've listened to this CD before and partly because I just love his version of 'Pearly Shells' and 'One Paddle, Two Paddle'. Two of the songs, 'Blue Hawaii' and 'The Hawaiian Wedding Song' were covered by Elvis Presley. At this day and age, 11 tracks on a single CD is way too short.. I wouldn't have bought nor exchanged for this CD if I have my way though. DOP : 10th May 2005.

TRIBUTE TO RAY CONNIFF : THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION : I got this next one at a discount too. Nothing special except to add more varieties to my collection. All are covers and although he made his name and fortune doing covers, I would much prefer some of his original works in this collection. As of now, I am eyeing his "The Essential Collection" , a double CD which probably I will be adding to my collection soon. DOP : 13th February 2003.

LEGENDS : BURT BACHARACH : Band leader and composer Burt Bacharach is a legend and don't let anybody tell you othewise. During the 60's, he just came out with hits after hits and they were all memorable too. 'Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head', 'The Look Of Love', I'll Never Fall In Love Again', 'Do You Know The Way To San Jose ?'. Honestly I could go on and on. Thought most of these are hits for other artists, Burt Bacharach's own version does have a special charm to it. I've always wanted to get one of his collection and this came along just nicely and on budget price too. He even gave a rare vocal on 'Make It Easy On Yourself'.  Missing is 'Trains And Boats And Plants'  DOP : 11th March 2006.

THE VERY BEST OF SERGIO MENDES & BRASIL '66 :  I first became aware of Sergia Mendes was through their version of  The Beatles' 'The Fool On The Hill' which I thought were one of those Beatles' songs that were actually done much better than then the original. There are two other Beatles' songs here, 'With A Little Help From My Friends' and 'Norwegian Wood'. The hit here however was the Burt Bacharach classic 'The Look Of Love' which even eclipsed the Dusty Springfield's version from the movie "Casino Royale" I got this CD on discount by the way. DOP : 5th September 2010.

THE SONGS WE LOVED AND GREW UP WITH......

Every now and then record companies will issue and reissue hits of yesterday in various forms and guise to squeezed as much money as they can from the consumers. You can see these in the various greatest hits collection of  popular artists. Same songs in new packaging. But then again, once in a while they do get it right. Such as those one hit wonder artists who have only one song to their name. This is when these various compilation CDs serves a purpose. I for one am really glad that they came up with these compilation and hope they will keep them coming.

GREATEST OLDIES COLLECTORS EDITION : This was the first multi various artists collection that I've purchased. I've bought a few others since then but this was the better one. There are 120 tracks here consisting of 6 CDs with one being an instrumentals of popular hit songs. There is also a song book included. All the discs comes in gold colour and is quite attractive to look at. The songs are said to be by The Original Artists thought I have my doubts in a few songs. Nevertheless, the recordings are clear and there are quite a number of songs to fill up the gaps in my collection. A guilty pleasure to be enjoyed..

GREATEST OLDIES COLLECTORS EDITION. VOLUME 1 : This one have 'Smoke Gets In Your Eyes', Tennessee Waltze', 'When A Man Loves A Woman' 'Corina, Corina' and 'Never On Sunday'. I like 'Tom Dooley' and the rarities for me here are 'Sixteen Tons' , 'Nice To Be With You' and a version of 'Moon River' by one Jerry Butler. Sometimes when a certain song is so associated by a certain singer like in this case, 'Moon River', I like to listen to other alternative and compare and well, I think Andy William's is the better version.

                                               GREATEST OLDIES COLLECTORS EDITION. VOLUME 2 :

This one have quite a few rarities here for me. 'I'm Gonna Knock On Your Door', one of the most tender of love song, 'I Will Love You All My Life' by Foster & Allen, a live version of 'Rhinestone Cowboy', 'She's A Lady' by the composer himself. Paul Anka, but of course Tom Jones got the better version, and ' The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance' . I didn't even know I have Acker Bilk's instrumental classic ' Stranger On The Shore' here as well.

GREATEST OLDIES COLLECTORS EDITION. VOLUME 3 : This one have The Real Thing's 'You To Me Are Everything' which I use to hear all the time at the disco. The joyful ' Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow', and Percy Sledge's 'I' ll be Your Everything' which was covered by Tommy Page. Rarities includes Donovan's Catch The Wind' and another beautiful song by the dynamite duo of Foster & Allen, 'Maggie'

GREATEST OLDIES COLLECTORS EDITION. VOLUME 4 : No. 4 have 'Don't Cry Joni' which brings me back to the times when they were playing the song to death at the pasar malam. A live version of 'Oh! Carol' and my favourite ' Where Have All The Flowers Gone '. There's also 'Little Darling', 'I Understand', and 'Puppet On A String'. You will also get to hear another version of 'Green, Green Grass of Home' other than Tom Jones's version which we were all so familiar with.

　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　     GREATEST OLDIES COLLECTORS EDITION. VOLUME 5

                                                   This last collection is my favourites. With 'My Way' by the composer himself, Paul Anka, 'Unchain My Heart' by Ray Charles, 'Yellow River' the version originally recorded by The Tremeloes but later re-dubbed with Christie's vocal, that became the hit. With 'Chapel Of Love' and 'Venus', as well this CD would be hard to beat.

GOLDEN OLDIES COLLECTORS EDITION : Oops did I say last. I mean the last of the vocal CDs. This was an instrumental CD of the popular hit songs of the day. I mentioned many times that I don't care too much of instrumental version of popular songs and this CD is not gonna change my mind anytime soon either. Tracks includes 'Love Is Blue', 'Unchained Melody', 'I Just Called To Say I Love You' 　

THE EARLIEST FORM OF ROCK 'N' ROLL

Sometimes in life, we have to be grateful for little mercies. Take for instance, those artists that have only one or two big hits and then slipped into oblivion. Where else would we be able to find these songs if not for these collections. Most serious music collectors would steer clear of these collections 'cos it cramp their styles or whatever reasons they choose to say but to me they served a purpose. To fill up the gaps and that is good enough for me. These are pleasures as guilty as they come

UNFORGETTABLE ROCK 'N' ROLL HITS. VOLUME 1 :. Just by looking a the song selections will make your mouth foaming with saliva. And this is a super budget series too. Consisting of 24 tracks, that includes' Speedy Gonzales',' Runaway', 'A Little Bit Of Soap'. These are all originals too. Need I say more. You will also get to hear three of the songs, 'Jailhouse Rock', 'Hound Dog' and 'That's Alright, Mama' before they were batized by Elvis. These are the earliest form of Rock 'n' Roll before they went main stream. We also have The Angels' 'My Boyfriend's Back'. I discovered a whole album by The Angels in our house. Purchased by my my father no doubt. DOP : Unknown.

UNFORGETTABLE ROCK 'N' ROLL HITS. VOLUME 2 : Continuing from Volume 1, there are more saliva inducing tracks here. 'Rock Around The Clock' arguably the first rock 'n' roll song. Chubby Checker have 'The Twist' and the rather hard to find ' Let's Limbo Somemore', a somewhat sequence to ; Limbo Rock'  There's even a Ritchie Valens' version of ' La Bamba' and Jan & Dean's version of The Beach Boys' hit 'Fun, Fun, Fun'. There are 24 tracks here too. DOP : Unknown.

UNFORGETTABLE : 20 CLASSIC LOVE SONGS. VOLUME 1 : After two CDs of rocking and rolling fun, we sober down a bit and come down to these collections of love songs. I don't remember why I bought this 'cos I have most of the songs in my collections. The usual love songs  are here like ' Tell Laura I Love Her', 'Sad Movies', 'Hey, Paula' and 'Single Girl'. Other oddities are Elta James' cover of 'I'd Rather Go Blind', Al Hibbler's 'Unchained Melody' and a far out version of 'Don't Play That Song For Me ( You Lied ) by Ben E King. DOP : 27th March 1997.



THE COUNTRY GALS

I am not a big fan of country music at least not in the pure Nashville twanky kind of thing. I like my country with a bit of rock in it like John Denver or The Eagles. Anyway, here's a few country music CDs that I owned that I like to share with you.

QUEENS OF COUNTRY : BILLIE JO SPEARS / LYNN ANDERSON : This CD was given to me by Susan, one of my wife's bosses. Frankly, I've never ever heard of Billie Jo Spears until I got my hand on this CD. Only songs I am familiar with are 'I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry' and 'Fever'. Now, I am more familiar with Lynn Anderson. Who haven't heard of 'Rose Garden'. There was a time when this song was everywhere. But curiously, they left out 'Hello Darling', the flip side of  'Rose Garden' which was also another big hit. The other song that I like here is 'Someday Soon', a poignant song I first heard from Skeeter Davis and which I have loved ever since. This song is the reason why this CD is still in my collection. DOP : Unknown & a gift.

TAMMY WYNETTE : WITHOUT WALLS / YOUR GOOD GIRL'S GONNA GO BAD : Yet another CD, this time a double, given to me again by Susan, bless her. Again this CD didn't do much for me. I have a friend who is crazy for her. I much prefer the first disc "Without Walls" 'cos it's country music meets current music. It's more of a duet album with Tammy dueting with Elton John ( A Woman's Needs ), Sting ( Every Breath You Take' ), Lyle Lovett ('If You Were To Wake Up' ) and Cliff Richard ( This Love ). The only one I like is the duet with Sting. The second CD have only four songs that are familiar to me. 'Apartment No. 9', ‘There Goes My Everything', 'Walk Through This World With Me' and 'Almost Persuaded' DOP :  Another gift.

OLIVIA NEWTON JOHN : 48 ORIGINAL TRACKS.  1971 - 1975 : Now this I like. I bought this double CD with much reluctance on my part though. I've loved Olivia Newton John since I heard her first smash 'Let Me Be There' and have been buying her albums quite regularly. I bought this CD 'cos I was seriously starved of her songs. I've been waiting forever for her remastered records to be out on CD and I  am still waiting. My favorites here includes 'Banks Of The Ohio', ’If Not For You', ' Mary Skeffington' and many others. Others I like are from her "Long Live Love" album which is also incidentally my first Olivia Newton John's album. I am keeping this CD as a substitute till her whole remixed CD comes out. DOP : 2nd September 1996.


OLIVIA NEWTON JOHN : BACK TO BASICS. THE ESSENTIAL COLLECTION : 1971 - 1992 : Like the above CD, I bought this till I get my hand on her remixed CDs. But it's nice to be able to hear all of Olivia's hits at one stretch but there's a damper. There's no 'Let Me Be There' and 'If  You Love Me,(  Let Me Know' ), so you won't really be satisfied. Olivia Newton John started out as a country singer but gradually she infused some rock into her act after her Grease period. So it won't be quite fair to pigeonholed her as a country artist.

I missed a chance to see Olivia Newton John in action when she was in town. The first time she came, I couldn't get the tickets, the second time she came, I got two tickets from my friend. I was 350 kms away and it was a weekday. This is one regret that I will take to the grave with me. Oh, the agony of it all, whenever I think about it. DOP : 22nd September 1996.

THE ULTIMATE ANNE MURRAY : I like Anne Murray but I wasn't thinking straight when I bought this CD. There are so many songs missing here that I can't even bring myself to place this on my CD player. I've have a few Anne Murray records and I have been holding back on getting her CDs 'cos I was waiting for the perfect one. Well, my patience failed me. I bought this and I've regretted it ever since. Guess I bought this just so that I can have a Anne Murray CD in my collection. Rest assured, there will be another Anne Murray to add on to my collection. Songs included here are 'Snowbird', You Needed Me', 'Just One Look', and 'I Just Fall In Love Again'. The songs that I like that are not here can probably fill another CD. 16th July 2012.

DOLLY PARTON : THOSE WERE THE DAYS ：As a rule, I don't quite like remakes. But I do get a kick of listening to an original singers singing their original songs with a current artist. Dolly Parton have the star power to get whoever she likes to sing with her. Mary Hopkin, Cat Stevens, Kris Kristofferson, Judy Collins and probably John Lennon too if he's still alive. Incredibly, in spite of all these artists' talents, this CD goes nowhere at all. Dolly Parton's voice is too high pitched for me. Maybe she's better when she's singing her osn songs. Still, at RM 9.90, I guess it's tolerable. DOP : 30th May 2009.



JUICE NEWTON : PLATINUM COLLECTOR SERIES : Got this CD at a discount. The only song I like from Juice Newton was her remake of  'Angel Of The Morning'. This is one of those rare time when a cover version is better than the original.  The rest of the tracks are pretty much ordinary. 10 tracks in all and I only like one song.. Sign. I like the song she wrote for The Carpenters though, 'Sweet, Sweet Smile'. Pity it's not here.. DOP : 18th October 2011.

INSTRUMENTALS THAT TAKE YOU BACK TO TIME

Usually I don't like instrumentals. I especially don't care for instrumental versions of popular songs. For that reason, I prefer vocals over instrumentals but then there always an exception when a piece of music is so overwhelming and infectious.that you just can't help but be converted.

THE BEST OF INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC. 50 GREATEST INSTRUMENTAL HITS OF ALL TIMES :. A case in point is this double CD. Sometimes in my quest for the best music, I feel some divinity is at play. I have been subconsciously searching for these few instrumentals for so many years and have actually given up of ever finding them. I did have some of these tracks in cassettes form many years ago. Still, subconsciously somewhere in my mind,  I am still searching. I wasn't exactly looking for this CD. As a matter of fact, I think it found me. There I was strolling at the CD shop nonchalantly waiting for my wife who was doing her shopping. There it was on the shelf, daring me not to look at it. I took one look at the track listings on the cover, got the shop assistance to play a few tracks, just to confirmed it was the real thing and then it was mine. At RM 23.90, again I was being the robber. I don't see this CD in any other shops either. Finding a piece of gem like this is akin to finding a bar of gold for me.

Most of these tracks are originals except for a few. 'Je'Tamie...Moi Nor Plus' is different from the version that I have so I guess it's either a remake or not the original version. But take a look at the other goodies. 'Baby Elephant Walk', 'My Blue Heaven', 'Wheels' I believe that it is a possibility that some of these tracks could be playing when I was in my mother's womb or when I was being delivered in the labour room. They are so darn familiar. 'The Good, The Bad and The Ugly' really does made you wanna pick up a gun and rode out into the sunset. One track here that's worth the price of the whole CD for me is 'Washington Square'. A song so enshrined in our mind as “Hock Sung Kor" ( Brother Student ) with lyric written and sung by our very own Chinese God of Song, Sam Hui, that I am willing to bet three months' pay that whenever you whistled a few notes to anyone here in Asia, he or she will swear that it's a Sam Hui's song. This is one time I am proud to say that the east have won over the west.

A slight downer is that the track listings here do not show any credits for the writers nor the players. Small inconvenience for such pleasures.. Anyway, I am convinced that I will have the royal seal of approval from my late father if he is still here. He will definitely love it. DOP : 14th October 2012.


THE BEST OF LOS INDIOS TABAJARAS : Yet again I first heard of Los Indios Tabajaras from my father who have two of their albums. I especially like ' Maria Elena', ‘Amore', 'You Belong To My Heart' and their version of 'Over The Raiinbow' which is simply stunning. This is another double CD consisting of 25 tracks on each CD. Unfortunately I only like the mentioned tracks. I couldn't take all of them at once nor do I want to. DOP : 12th February 2011.

CLASSIC FOREVER 1 : This is actually a classical CD that I bought at the spur of the moment. I just do not go for classical music. I didn't even buy Paul McCartney's classical CD so that should tells you a lot. Anyway I was browsing around the CD shop when I came across this. Looking at tracks like 'Minuet In G Major' which was adapted into ’A Lover's Concento' by The Toys and 'Habanera' which we all knew as 'Carmen', I knew I have to have it. And at RM 9.90, that was a no brainer too. To top it off,  there's also the 'William Tell Overtone' which we all knew as The Long Ranger Theme song and the 'Happy Birthday Song'. So did I made the right choice in getting this one ? You can bet your sweet little wriggling toes that I did. But I doubt its originality though. Probably cover version but I am not complaining.  DOP : 28th May 2012.

 CLASSIC FOREVER 2 : As I've have Volume 1, getting Volume 2 is inevitable. I wasn't really looking 'cos I wasn't really a classical music fan but I stumbled upon this while browsing in a Cd shop in Malacca, while waiting for someone and now it have ended in my collection. The first track 'Swedish Rhapsody' is a clear winner. Bountiful and memorable, you don't have to be a classical music fan to like this.' Symphony No. 40 in G Minor ' and 'Victory' are probably songs I've heard snippets of in countless movie scores. You have the impression that you've heard the song millions of times but you can't recall where. 'Come September' I have definitely heard before. I didn't know it was a classical piece.The mood quiet down in this beautifully played piano driven piece called 'Salut D'Amour' that recall a scene where a girl and a boy looking into each other eyes over a romantic dinner with wine in hand. 'Waltz Of The Flowers' is a song that your parents would love to waltz to. 'Nocturne No.2 In EB Major' is another familiar sounding track. After seven delightful tracks in a row, things starts to border on the boring from here on. I wouldn't exactly say 'Sicilienne' is a failed piece. Just that being a non classical fan, going through this Cd is taking it's toll on me. Things get interesting again on 'Minuet Frm Boccherini', a track that must have kept hidden at the back of my mind. 'Waltz From The Sleeping Beauty' is also a familiar piece that probably was played in the animated show. 'Troika' is a lively and enjoyable piece while  ' Dance Of The Little Swans' recalled the recent Barbie show of the same name. 'Spring From The Four Seasons "Allegro"' is probably a track that I've heard snippets in countless commercials and movies. It sounded so familiar. 'Jamica Rumba' is a fun track. Joyous and lively. 'Oh My Darling Clemetine' is of course the children's song that we are knew and loved but the version was a bit too slow for my liking. You should stop the Cd here for the last track is boring. DOP : 25th August 2013.


THE GREATEST WESTERN THEMES : This CD contains 16 tracks and as the title suggested are all from the westerns genes. The three greats from  Clint Eastwood's three great westerns are here. However, the tracks are not the originals recordings from the movies. The only reason I am keeping this are the inclusion of 'High Chaparral' and 'Bonanza', two of my favourite TV shows and themes. 'The  Magnificent Seven' and 'Shenandoah' are nice too but curiously the power that be think fit to leave out 'The Lone Ranger'. DOP : 30th March 2012. A Gift from my nephew, Edmund Leong

GREATEST MOVIE THEME by INSTRUMENTAL : As a rule, I never really like instrumental versions of songs with vocals. An instrumentals needs to be a pure instrumental track for me to enjoyed it. I wasn't really that keen to get this 'cos most of the songs I've already have as vocal songs. And the true instrumentals here aren't really the original versions that I've first heard all those years ago. I probably bought this 'cos of an arch to buy and nothing more. CD 1 have 4 James Bond's tune no less. The main theme 'James Bond [ Dr. No ]' was not the originally as mentioned as was 'From Russia With Love', 'Goldfinger,' and 'For Your Eyes Only.' The rest of the tracks are run of the mills that you may just be able to enjoy when you are on a long distance drive. CD 2 have quite a large bulk taken up by Andrew Lloyd Webber with medleys as well as stand along tracks. There are quite a bit of western hits too. 'The Good, The Bad And The Ugly,' 'Ghost Rider In The Sky,' A Fistful Of Dollars' and 'For A Few Dollars More' among others. Overall, not a CD that I would place in the player very soon. DOP : 8th June 2013.

FOLK SONGS IN EVERY LANGUAGE

IF I HAD A HAMMER :Trini Lopez was an American actor and singer who scored his first big hit with 'If I Have A Hammer'. I've heard one of his song 'Lemon Tree' when I was a young lad but it was not sung by him but by a Singaporean group called The Cresendoes. Anyway, I like that song. I bought this CD at dirt cheap price. Expecting nothing more than it to fill my CD shelf, I was pleasantly surprised when it turned out to be quite an enjoyable CD, one that I played every now and then. Favorites includes 'La Bamba', 'Amour', 'America', and who can forget  the old time favorite 'Guantanamera' One of those CD that's worth every cents spend. DOP : 11th August 1997.

PETER, PAUL and MARY. PLATINUM COLLECTION  : Peter, Paul and Mary were one of the most popular acoustic folk groups of the sixties. They were also the first to bring commercial success to Bob Dylan by covering his song 'Blowing In The Wind'. The first song I heard from Peter, Paul and Mary were their version of John Denver's 'Leaving On A Jet Plane' I wasn't paying much attention to them while growing up so I only got this CD much later. Folk songs are easy to play and sing to. Songs that I like here includes 'Where Have All The Flowers Gone', 'Lemon Tree', 'If I Have A Hammer' and their own composition 'Puff, The Magic Dragon. This CD includes a song book with lyrics to all the songs. DOP : 16th Jauuary 2005.

DEMIS ROUSSOS LOST IN LOVE  :Demis Roussos is Greek but can be considered a singer of folk songs. This most unconventional of man, over weighted and not too handsome to boot. Hardly the citeria for a pop star or a folk star. But he have a gift. A distinctive operatic vocal style which lifted him above the rest. Still the reason I bought this CD is because of two songs. 'Forever And Ever' and 'Goodbye, My Love, Goodbye. Two songs of utmost beauty. The rest is pleasant enough but not too memorable for me, so I'll stick with these two songs. DOP : 17th March 2008.

THE PLATINUM COLLECTION : THE VERY BEST OF THE KINGSTON TRIO : 26 ORIGINAL GREATEST HITS : I bought this CD in Thailand while holidaying there. I've always wanted The Kingston Trio as part of my CD family. The next in line will be The Brother Four. Matter of fact, I almost confused them with The Brother Four when for a brief while I was aghast that 'Green Fields' was not here. Anyway, with 26 tracks this is a real value for money. The usual familiar songs like 'Where Have All The Flowers Gone', 'Tom Dooley, 'Lemon Trees' are here, and an almost identical Tokens' version of 'The Lion Sleeps Tonight' as well. Other notable tunes includes 'Colors', 'The Tijuana Jail', 'The M.T.A.' I am not too crazy on their take on 'Turn Around'  'cos I much prefer the female's version. Their version of 'Shenandoah' is stunning to say the least and I have heard quite a few version of this song. I like 'Green Back Dollar' and 'Scotch And Soda', a song that sounded familiar and yet not so. DOP : 19th January 2013.

THE BEST LOVED MUSICAL OF ALL TIMES, THE SOUND OF MUSIC & OLIVER!

THE SOUND OF MUSIC : SOUNDTRACK FROM THE MOTION PICTURE :  What can I say about this soundtrack and movie that have not already been said. Nominated for 10 Academy Awards and winners of five, including Best Picture and Best Director, "The Sound Of Music" was the No. 1 Box Office Champion from 1966 - 1972. I'll go out on a limb and say on record that anyone who haven't heard any songs from this album must have spend his days staying on Mars and anyone who doesn't like the music here can't have a heart. It was again my father who bought the original album. Initially, he bought the wrong 'Sound of Music ' album, mistaking the stage show album for the movie version. Together with my brothers, he found the right one eventually. I've loved the movie and songs as a child and I am still loving it as an adult. Now my children too are mesmerized by it as well. Good music have no barrier. 'nuff said.

Instantly recognizable, my favorite of all my favorite songs here are 'The Sound Of Music', 'Sixteen Going On Seventeen', My Favorite Things' and ‘Do-Re-Mi'. Songs I can listen to forever. Julie Andrews was just perfect as the singing nun and Christopher Plummer played the captain to a T. This CD is the 45th Anniversary version with additional songs not on the original album but in the movie. There's 'The Grand Waltz' where Maria was dancing with the Captain and 'The Processional Waltz' where Marie got married to the captain. Listening to this album sure brings back lots of wonderful memories, or even, dare I say it, a tinkle of  teardrop when I am in a sentimental mood.

OLIVER! : ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK FROM THE MOTION PICTURE :  Been searching this for so long. I've have this on album but the CD is so hard to find. Can't believe that I found it finally at the fleas market for a mere RM 10.00. This is another awesome movie with awesome songs. Like "The Sound Of Music", there is simply not a bad tracks here. Where "The Sound of Music" is more wholesome, Oliver is a tale that is darker in tone. My two brothers brought me to see this movie and we walked all the way to town. Like I say before, there's not a bad songs here but honorable mention must go to 'Food, Glorious, Food', 'Where Is Love', 'Pick A Pocket Or Two', 'Consider Yourself', 'I'd Do Anything', 'Be Back Soon', 'Reviewing The Situation' and 'Oom-Pah-Pah' which could well be a children song. 'Who Will Buy' is another splendid song but it could do with better editing. Songs for songs it does not lose out to "The Sound Of Music" but it loses out in the editing department. Some of the songs should have been better edited 'cos I sure don't like the music going from low one moment and then to loud and then back to low again. Mark Lester and Jack Wild were sensational here. There went on to make another British called "Melody" or better know here as "S.W.A.L.K. ( Sealed With A Loving Kiss )" with music by The Bee Gees. 

 FIDDLE ON THE ROOF : ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK FROM THE MOTION PICTURE : I can't believe I stumbled upon this gem of an album at the local fleas market for a miserable $10.00. The first time I watched this movie, I found it long and boring. It was only decades later when I watch it again on DVD that I've grew to love it. While not all the songs are memorable, the ones that are are real treasures. All time favorites includes 'If I Were A Rich Man', 'Sunrise, Sunset' and 'Far From The Home I Love'. the scene where the daughter have to leave home to a far away land to be with her beloved never fails to leave a lump in my throat. Getting this disc really made my day. DOP: 31st August 2014.

THE GUITAR MEN OF THE SIXTIES

Guitar playing performers have always appealed to me more than the crooners who just hold a microphone and sing. And when they write their own songs, they appeals to me even more..

THE VERY BEST OF RICKY NELSON : Ricky Nelson was a child actor before he became a singer of some note. I first saw him in an episode of "Mystery Movie" with him as a guest star singing his then current hit 'Garden Party' That song stuck with me and I went searching for that single and found it. This CD contains 22 tracks but I only like a couple of them. 'Travelling Man' and 'Teenage Idol' are my all time favorite Rick Nelson songs. 'Young World' and 'Hello Mary Lou' are passable and also pleasing to the ears. DOP : 30th May 1997.

GLEN CAMPBELL'S TWENTY GOLDEN GREATS : Glen Campbell is a guitar playing singer but he don't write his own songs. His songs have an appeal to me that I find irresistible. Classics like 'By The Time I Get To Phoenix', 'Gentle On My Mind', 'Whichta Lineman' and ‘Galveston' are part of the American Soundtrack. My favorites are his signature song ' Rhinestone Cowboy', the medleys 'Don't Pull Your Love / Then You Can Kiss Me Goodnight'. 'Honey, Come Back', 'Try A Little Kindness', 'Country Boy', his duet with Bobbie Gentry ’ All I Have To Do Is Dream' and his amazing interpretation of 'Amazing Grace'. I bought this record when it first came out. I should have waited but I didn't. I bought the same CD as the record and in doing so, I sacrificed 'Southern Nights', his last charted single. DOP : 26th December 1995.

THE ALL-TIME GREATEST HITS OF ROY ORBISON : Roy Orbison is one of those rare singer with such a beautifully haunting voice that it was said that he don't have to do anything but just stood still and sing, and his audiences will still be mesmerised. Listen to his 'Only The Lonely' to get my point. His other most recognisable hit was of course ' Oh, Pretty Woman'. Roy also write his own songs and played the guitar. His songs were also widely covered providing hits for Linda Ronstadt ( Blue Bayou ) and Don McLean ( Cryin' ). Roy Obison was to find even greater fame as one of The Travelling Wilburys, in his later year with George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty and Jeff Lynn. I bought this CD while I was on holiday in Perth, Australia. This CD do not include his last hit 'You Got It'. DOP : 13th February 1992.

CULT GROUPS THAT I SHOULD LIKE BUT DIDN'T

There are groups and than there are cult groups. The followings are CDs by cult groups that have a large following but just don't registered with me. I don't follow trends or style of the day. I just like what I like. Guess this is a clear case of one man's meat is another's poison.

THE DOORS GREATEST HITS  :The Doors are one group that fits the billing of cult group. Led by the charisma Jim Morrison, nicknamed The Lizard King, they were just too wild for the young and tender me. Hey, I was still young and innocent and still in short pants then. Jim Morrison was even arrested once for exhibiting his genital during a concert. Anyway, the songs here are all cult favorites although not necessarily for me. 'Light My Fire', 'Hello, I Love You', and 'L.A. Woman' 'The End' was featured in the 1979 movies."Apocalypse Now", starring Marlon Brando, Martin Sheen and Robert Duvall.
DOP : An exchange with a friend.

MY GENERATION - THE VERY BEST OF THE WHO :The Who was always a presence during the sixties although I didn't really listen to any of their music except for 'The Seekers' which I heard a few times on the radio. Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey, John Entwistle and Keith Moon are all the stuffs that legends are made of.  I was introduced later to 'Pinball Wizard', by Elton John whom I first heard it from. I was again en routed to The Who when Robert Cook of American Idols sang a far out version of their 'Baba O'Riley' which got me going back to the original. Well, three times I went back to their music and three times it did nothing to ignite my interest. Some things are just not meant to be. This CD is fighting a downhill battle to gain time on my CD player. DOP : 10th September 1996.

THE CHICAGO STORY : Of the CDs featured here, I guess I play Chicago the most. I got one of their single greatest hits CD but I upgraded it to this double one. '25 or 6 to 4' was a song I remember from way back when I was a young lad. And 'Saturday In The Park' was a song from one of my various artists collection record. I never particularly like Chicago's brand of music but then they were a blast from the past. I like 'If You Leave Me Now' which recalled the times when I just left school. And 'Hard For Me To Say I'm Sorry' was a song that one of my colleague used to sing so much when he was working that it makes me wanna scream. The remanding songs that I like are 'Will You Still Love Me', 'Baby, What A Big Surprise' and 'Look Away'. Out of 39 songs, that's only a handful but then that's me. DOP : 26th July 2004.

TEXAS : GOLD : GREATEST HITS : Never ever heard of Texas till I spied this on the shelf going for $5.00. Well, what else could I do but to get this out of curiosity. Maybe I am out of touch or I am stuck in a time zone or something. Didn't do anything for me. At $5.00, I am not complaining but I will give it another spin in the near future to see if I can get to grip at anything here. In the meanwhile, there on the shelf it will sit. For those who are interested, songs includes 'I Don't Want A Lover', 'In Demand', 'Say What You Want', 'Summer Son', etc.....DOP : 15th November 2012.

THE MOST KICK-ASS ROCK 'N' ROLL BAND IN HISTORY: CCR

CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL : FEATURING JOHN FOGERTY. CHRONICLE : THE GREATEST HITS : Creedence Clearwater Revival. Now that's a name that ring many bells. During the late sixties between 1969 and 1970, they were without doubt the most popular band in America. John Forgety, the main man, his brother, Tom, together with Stu Cook and Doug Clifford has been performing since 1959. Their first hit was a cover 'Suzy Q' but it was John Forgety's own composition that stuck a chord with the public. Who wouldn't love 'Proud Mary', a song that every pub bands have to know how to play in their set during the early 70's, 'Bad Moon Rising', 'Green River' and 'Down On The Corner'. My all times favorites are 'Lodi', 'Who Stop The Rain' and 'Have You Ever Seen The Rain'. The only complain I have about the last two songs are that they are way too short. At less than 3 minutes, that's hardly enough time for it to sink in. Anyway, these are all great songs from a great era. Included here is also an 11 minutes plus opus on Creedence Clearwater Revival's greatest selling album "Cosmo's Factory", 'I Heard It Through The Grapevine' . It earned enormous airplay throughout the world and is one of CCR's greatest hits as well as one of mine all time favorites. DOP : An exchange with a friend.

CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL. CHRONICLE. VOLUME TWO : Chronicle. Vol. 2 continue where Chronicle. Vol. 1 left off. Of course it's not as good as Vol.1 'cos there's where all the singles are. Nevertheless this CD is still a keeper. Their version of 'Cotton Fields' alone is worth the price of the whole CD. Not to mention 'The Midnight Special'. I've heard a few version of this song and CCR's version won hand down. One song that is always missing from their greatest hits collection but was finally included on their last collection was 'Sail Away', a beautiful song written for once and sung by Stu Cook. It's not here either. It's a pity but John Forgety, after the breakup of CCR wasted most of his time fighting his former record company so he didn't have a very large output of his solo works. He even refused to perform his own songs 'cos of the dispute with his recording company. George Harrison bought him out of the jungle when he remarked that if he don't get out and sing, everybody will think that 'Proud Mary' is a Ike & Tina Turner song. But then much time has been wasted. DOP : 29th March 1992.

THE GIRLS FROM THE SIXTIES......

In the sixties, although it was basically a man's world in the music business, a few gals, nevertheless made the grade. And big they were too with many bit hits to boot.

NANCY SINATRA GREATEST HITS : Nancy Sinatra was a singer and actress who is best known for 'These Boots Are Made For Walking'. Before this song, she was known as Frank Sinatra's daughter but after this song, she became a star in her own right. Amazing what one song can do. As an actress, she co starred with Elvis Presley in the movie " Speedway" in the mid sixties. She scored again in 1967 with her father Frank on 'Something Stupid'. She also sang the theme song from the James Bond movie 'You Only Lived Twice' Apart from these three songs, there are 'Summer Wine', and 'Things', a delightful duet with Dean Martin'. I guess you can find all you need from Nancy Sinatra on this single CD. DOP : 6th August 1997.

PETULA CLARK GREATEST HITS : I like Petula Clark. Her 'Kiss Me Goodbye' is an evergreen favorite that will live on long after we are all gone. Other Petula Clark's favorites of mine are 'Downtown', 'My Love', 'This Is My Song', 'Don't Sleep In The Subway' and 'Call Me', which is not included here. This CD, however is a sham. The versions here are all rerecorded with inferior results. I don't know what made me buy this CD but I will give this away the moment I get my hand on a Petula Clark's Greatest Hits CD proper. This CD leaves a bad taste on my mouth or was it my ears. Don't bother with this. DOP : 16th August 2004.

THE GREATEST HITS. SHIRLEY BASSEY. THIS IS MY LIFE : Shirley Bassey. The singer of three James Bond theme songs, no less. 'Goldfinger', 'Diamonds Are Forever' and ' Moonraker'. Movie goers may not know her but they will definitely have heard of her songs. My personal favorites are the golden oldies from days gone by 'Kiss Me Honey, Honey, Kiss Me' and 'Never, Never, Never'. Other than these, she doesn't hold much appeal for me for she is mostly the interpreters of other people's songs. I thought I got this on discount but after checking out at the supermarket counter, I found I got it wrong. It was a full price CD which got me fuming. Sign. DOP : 5th May 2002.



DIONNE WARWICK sings the BACHARACH & DAVID SONGBOOK : Dionne Warwick made her name in the sixties singing the songs by Burt Bacharach & Hal David. Of all the songs she sang only a few like 'Do You Know The Way To San Jose', 'Walk On By' and 'I Say A Little Prayer For You' were associated with her. Most of her songs were regarded by demo in Britain by her contemporaries and were rerecorded and became big hits for the respective singers. For instances, 'Anyone Who Had A Heart' ( Cilla Black ), Always Something There To Remind Me ( Sandie Shaw ), I'll Never Fall In Love Again ( Bobbie Gentry ), 'Wishin' & Hopin' and 'The Look Of Love', the last two being Dusty Springfield. Still Dionne Warwick managed to hold her own and outlasted all her temporary and enjoyed greater success in the 80's helped in no small way by The Bee Gees. DOP : Unknown.

THE BEST OF CILLA BLACK : Finally, a CD that I really like. Cilla Black got her career kick started by The Beatles. Working as a typist, she spend her lunch time at the famous Cavern Club, singing with the local bands whenever she was invited to do so. Signed on by Brian Epstein, she was on the same wagon as The Beatles. She have three songs written specially for her by The Beatles namely. 'It's For You', 'Love Of The Loved' and ' Step Inside Love' which was also the theme song of her TV show. My all time favorites are. 'You're My World', later remade by Helen Reddy, ''Where Is Tomorrow' and 'I Only Live To Love You' which still gives me goosebumps whenever I hears it.' Conversations' and 'Something Tells Me ( Something's Gonna Happen Tonight' ) are high on my list too. I have this on record and the songs are quite identical. 'Sing A Rainbow'   was a song I use to sing to my children. DOP : 18th November 1996.

THE BEST OF LULU : Everybody from the sixties know 'To Sir, With Love' by Lulu. My father loves the song too. But look further and you will find that Lulu is much more than just 'To Sir, With Love'. 'I'm A Tiger', Boom Bang- A - Bang', 'Me, The Peaceful Heart', Let's Pretend'  and 'Boy'. Pure priceless pop that only the sixties can offer. Did I mentioned that she sang the theme song from the 1974 James Bond movie starring Roger Moore called 'The Man With The Golden Gun' too. That song is not here and well it's not missed by me 'cos it's not that great a song anyway. Other than that, this is a great CD.

DOP : 18th January 1998.

MARY HOPKIN. THOSE WERE THE DAYS : Mary Hopkin started her pop life on a high that most people can only dream of. Spotted by Twiggy, a sixties supermodel and then recommended to Paul McCartney who guided her personally and got her her first smash 'Those Were The Days' which remained a classic song that everybody will know from here to Mars. Her second single was 'Goodbye' a song composed by Paul McCartney. All in all, she have 6 songs released.  There were 'Themma Harbour', 'Knock, Knock, Who's There', 'Think About Your Children' and ''Que Sera Sera'. All songs chosen by her advisers and all were charted singles. Mary Hopkin, however, choose to break free from the clutches of her benefactors, The Beatles to do her own type of music. She probably might have been so much bigger had she hang on a while longer instead of being just a footnote in Beatles' history. For me, only the six songs matters. There is however, one song I like that is missing here. The flip side of 'Knock, Knock, Who's There', 'I'm Gonna Fall In Love Again'
DOP : 7th December 1996.