V/A – Falling in Love is Wonderful

V/A – Falling in Love is Wonderful / 2006 Sony / 15 Tracks / http://www.sony.com / Reviewed 27 July 2006

Coming at this album as a 22-year old that does not like many older movies, there is not much immediately present that makes me want to keep the disc playing on. However, some things can be taken from this disc that will keep individuals listening in well after the first track. First off, remember that some of these tracks are fifty years old, and yet have better recording that anything that is currently on the market. There just seems to be a more warm method of recording on the Merman and Yarnell duet of “They Say It’s Wonderful” than the last 10 Years album, for example.

Even with the classical backdrop, there does not seem to be anything in the way of an approachability issue with the songs on “Falling in Love is Wonderful”. I doubt that this will be an album that individuals can get up and started for the day on, but for a great mood setter (if you are trying to seduce an older person that may not be down with Barry White), this album may just be what is needed. The fact that each of the tracks (with few exceptions) are all scattered around the same ten year period give this disc some sort of cohesion, as each of the female starlets seem to have some similarities with their vocal style. These tracks are not too long for current listeners; with the exception of “If I Love You” by John Raitt and Eileen Christy, all of the songs on “Falling in Love is Wonderful” ends quickly.

These are mostly passive tracks in the sense that individuals can listen in but not easily sing alone. During tracks like ”People Will Say We’re In Love”, the inclusion of Opera-like vocal trills will ensure that all but the most talented performers will be able to hold a candle to Christine Andreas. I would like to hear if they extended this compilation to different eras; I have no doubt that there are other songs of this caliber from the seventies, eighties, and more current times. Having all of these tracks be fairly close to each other means that there is more cohesion that is usually present in a compilation filled with different artists. If you are a fan of music or of the artists from this specific period in music, chances are good that “Falling in Love is Wonderful” will be an album that is a must-buy.

Top Tracks: Tonight (Lawrence, Kert), Sailing (Lewis, Gets)

Rating: 6.0/10

[JMcQ]