Over the past half-century Capitol Records has been the home label - at least for a while during their glittering careers - to more than a few major crooners and balladeers, including the likes of Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole and songwriter-singer Johnny Mercer (one of the company's founders). So Capitol's series displaying the talents of various "gentlemen of song" promises to be a grand opportunity to rediscover songs and interpretations buried in the tape vaults for years and years.
An excellent example is the new Bobby Darin "Spotlight." Darin first hit the charts with the rockabilly-inspired novelty "Splish Splash" in 1958, which prompted him to confess to Billboard magazine, "I have a rock 'n' roll hit. That makes me one of a thousand other guys. Now I've got to prove I can sing." He did so almost immediately with his classy take on "Mack the Knife" a year later.Those hits, as well as his wonderful "Beyond the Sea," predate his brief, early-'60s stint with Capitol, so are not part of this 20-track anthology. But as the collection shows, Darin was indeed a fine, swinging interpreter of the standards - his recordings among the last hurrahs of an era. And he was versatile. Where "Alabamy Bound" is brassy and hyperactive, "Blue Skies" is cool and smooth. He tips his hat to Sinatra on "Standing on the Corner," giving it a thoughtful, would-be wolfish introspection. "Always" is matter-of-fact instead of sentimental, "I Got Rhythm" has finger-snapping rhythm to spare. Not all of the selections and arrangements seem inspired today, however: With its "heavenly chorus," "You'll Never Know" is more than a little syrupy; "Fly Me to the Moon" is nice but unremarkable; "Oh! Look at Me Now" begs for more irony.
It's always sad to recall that Darin died of heart failure in 1973 at only age 37 - but what a recorded bounty he left behind.
Mel Torme's link with Capitol was also relatively brief, but significant - all of the songs in his "Spotlight" collection were recorded from 1949-51. He was only 24 when he signed with the label, but already proving a jazz pioneer.
Take the opener. As "Oh, You Beautiful Doll" begins, the song and Torme's singing are atypically slow and measured - but then the brass kicks in and everything heats up (all within 2 minutes and 16 seconds). Seventeen selections follow, and although you may know the songs, you never know what you're going to get. "Stompin' at the Savoy" is skat-happy. "It's Too Late" is bouncy big band. "Lullaby of the Leaves" is a peppy tango. Torme gives us a silken "Blue Moon" and a truly lovely "Bewitched." "I Love Each Move You Make" is wonderfully pared down and jazzy, with only his vocals plus discrete guitar, piano, percussion and bass. His No. 1 hit "Careless Hands" has a delightful hand-clapping pop arrangement. A few of the songs are sentimental ("My Buddy") and a bit cute ("Recipe for Romance"), but overall this is one classic collection.
Bob Manning's name is not on the tips of most tongues, for he did not have a hit-speckled career. But he did lay down wonderfully evocative tracks for Capitol, including a version of "The Nearness of You" that composer Hoagy Carmichael considered definitive. Manning's anthology, culled from sessions recorded from 1953-55, creates a gently romantic mood from the opening cut - and sticks with it. Manning is a subdued crooner of the old school (think of Dick Haymes and Bob Eberly); not once does he belt one out.
He sings "These Foolish Things," "Love Letters," "The Very Thought of You." Many of the tracks come from his album "Lonely Spell" - and that title suggests the overall flavor here as well. Linda Ronstadt must have had copies of Manning's records. Her '80s explorations of the standards included versions of "When Your Lover Has Gone" and the dramatic closer "Goodbye" that are extremely reminiscent of the 40-year-old arrangements created for Manning.
Those who want a little radio-like variety should check out "Hooray for Love: Great Gentlemen of Song, Volume 1," featuring 20 songs by 20 different gentlemen.
Appropriately, the Chairman of the Board, Frank Sinatra, kicks things off with his mellow "In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning," followed by the likes of Dean Martin ("Imagination"), Vic Damone ("There! I've Said It Again"), Gordon MacRae ("Cuddle Up a Little Coser, Lovey Mine") and Tony Bennett ("I Guess I'll Have to Change My Plan"). And yes, Darin, Manning and Torme show up, as do Matt Monro, Sammy Davis Jr., Lou Rawls, Johnny Mercer, Louis Armstrong and Nat King Cole, among others.
Not all of the songs are true classics, nor are the individual performances always the best ever heard, but the overall result is a truly pleasant, not to mention nostalgic, listening experience.
RATINGS: four stars (* * * * ), excellent; three stars (* * * ), good; two stars (* * ), fair; one star (* ), poor, with 1/2 representing a higher, intermediate grade.