After one listen to this CD, it became clear to me Teresa Brewer was probably the original "get over your man" diva. Like a precursor to Whitney Houston or Gloria Gaynor, this compilation contains it's fair share of female empowerment songs which just scream "I'll get over you". Tracks like "Gonna Get Along Without Ya Now" and "Ricochet" illustrate this well.So, as for the CD itself. A budget-priced compilation from the Spectrum label which can usually be relied upon to use master tapes of "oldies" artists, unlike other labels I won't mention. However, it doesn't seem to bother digitally remastering them; on this and one or two other compilations the sound quality on tracks is a little inconsistent. However there don't appear to be too many mastering errors on the tracks here, and it's nice to have these 50s hits on CD. The sleeve note is pretty good. At least they seem to be fans of the relevant artist - Ossie Dales and Dave McAleer provide good info as always. However, I was annoyed that the sleeve note mentions songs on this disc making their CD debut. One of which is apparently "Nora Malone", a minor hit for her in the UK. I looked, and looked. And couldn't find it on the CD. The truth that I eventually found out is that the master tape could not be located. A little honesty wouldn't go amiss. As for the hits, it appears to contain original versions of her small bunch of UK hit paraders. Teresa's biggest hit was arguably in her pre-chart days with "Music! Music! Music!". The version included here was recorded for Vogue Coral in 1953. The original was on London. In fairness, this version is quite good, if lacking in authenticity. While she wasn't really in the major league of American popstars (at least not here in Britain) there are some great songs in here that she really stamped her mark on. Let Me Go Lover, A Tear Fell, Bell Bottom Blues (better than Alma's IMO), Tweedle Dee are amongst my favourites on this CD. Ricochet is also great, despite Teresa apparently having a cold when she recorded it. A Sweet old Fashioned Girl is another catchy number from top 50s novelty songsmith Bob Merrill. It shows the contrasting styles at the time well - blending a sentimental tune with a rock n rolling rhythm. Admittedly, Kay Starr's "Rock And Roll Waltz" demonstrates this idea better, but Teresa's interpretation is good too. There are a few too many passable novelties here to be honest. Sing Sing Sing just about scrapes the barrel in that category. The Banjo's Back In Town and Hula Hoop Song have got stuck in my head over time, I'm afraid to say. An essential compilation if you like 50s pop music. |
