I loved these two albums 40 years ago when I first purchased on vinyl (Mono). I played them so often they developed a lot of pops and snaps but by the time I set out to replace them many of Brenda's albums were no longer available. I searched for over 25 years at record shows with some success, but a mint or unopened Stereo copy of "Let me Sing" eluded me. How wonderful to now have this superb CD with both of these great albums from around 1963 or 64 in Stereo. The cover art and booklet are great too. I also own the other ACE releases of Brenda's early albums and I hope they will consider releasing a few more as their are several more original Decca album titles that have never been released on CD (Top Teen Hits-1964, Too Many Rivers-1965, Bye Bye Blues-1966, and Coming On Strong-1967). These albums were not as big as her earlier ones but still had many hits on them and fantastic covers of then current songs done only the way that Brenda Lee could do it. They were all produced by the Legendary Owen Bradley. As far as this CD goes, it is basically 1960's easy pop or what today would be called Adult Contemporary. Brenda's version of "At Last" is my favorite of all the many versions recorded; Her million selling hits "Break it to me Gently" and "Losing You" are included along with "As Usual" and "I Wonder" from the "By Request" album. I also greatly enjoy "Our Day Will Come", "Why Don't You Believe Me", "There Goes My Heart", "The End of The World", & "You're The Reason I'm Living". These songs sound as good now as they did the first time I heard them. Brenda Lee had (and still has) one of the most powerful voices and unique styles of any female singer out there and was the top Pop Female Vocalist of the 60's according to Billboard Magazine. These early albums are great treasures and I highly recommend this CD.
This is Brenda Lee's 9th & 10th L.P. from 1963 & 64 on one C.D. and is for now the last
of the twofer's of Lee's albums Ace Records has re-mastered and issued on C.D.
(Listed below are 19 additional L.P.'s of Brenda's that I haven't found on C.D. but would love to)
Brenda's NINTH album, "LET ME SING" includes ~
"Break it to me gently" & "Losing you", charting at #4 and #6 respectfully.
Here again are Brenda's hits among a great group of all time classic music.
Brenda's interpretation always breaths new life in these standards.
Most of this album is ballads and all these tracks are exceptionally good.
This album has a somewhat bluesy overtone & Brenda masterfully delivers these great songs ~
"You're the reason I'm living" ~"Where are you?" ~ "I wanna be around" ~ "Out in the cold again" ~
and "At last" is exceptional.
The uptempo tracks here are the classics's ~ "Night and day" ~ "Our day will come" ~
and "When your lover has gone"
This is a great album of quality listening.
Brenda's TENTH album, "BY REQUEST", include Brenda's hits:
"As usual" #12 in 1963 ~ "My whole world is falling down" #24 in 1963.
"I wonder" #25 in 1963 ~ "The grass is greener" #17 in 1963.
This album again has the strong base of solid standards.
Brenda does a beautiful job on "Days of wine and roses" ~ "Why don't you believe me"
and "Blue velvet" to name a few.
The uptempo songs are "More (theme from Mondo Cane)" ~ "Danke Schoen"
and "My whole world is falling down".
ALL of Brenda's albums over her entire career have included quality classics's
along with some of her hits along the way.
All of her music is designed and orchestrated to deliver complete listening pleasure,
and because of that fact Brenda Lee's music is timeless.
These are the exact album original recordings, remastered by Ace Records in 2006.
All 24 tracks are stereo, and sound exceptional!
Included is an especially nice 14 page booklet on heavy paper, that includes numerous photo's,
and a career overview to the point of this set.
Footnote: Ace has done a wonderful job on the re-mastering and presentation
of Brenda Lee's first ten original L.P.'s.
I'd love to see Ace continue to release other re-mastered Brenda Lee albums.
This list of 19 more regular L.P.'s are in chronological order ~
starting with Brenda's ELEVENTH album release in the U.S.A.
This list doesn't include L.P.'s on labels other then Brenda's own Decca/M.C.A.
Nor does it count hit collections ~ other compilations ~ anthology's ~ Christmas or gospel.
1. "Brenda Lee Sings, Top Teen Hits".
2. "The Versatile, Brenda Lee".
3. "Too Many Rivers, Brenda Lee".
4. "Coming On Strong, Brenda Lee".
5. "Brenda Lee, Reflections In Blue".
6. "For The First Time, Brenda and Pete" (Fountain).
7. "Let It Be Me, Brenda Lee".
8. "Johnny One Time, Brenda Lee".
9. "Memphis Portrait, Brenda Lee.
10. "Brenda, Brenda Lee".
11. "New Sunrise, Brenda Lee".
12. "Brenda Lee, Now".
13. "Sincerely, Brenda Lee".
14. "L.A. Sessions, Brenda Lee".
15. "Even Better, Brenda Lee".
16. "Take Me Back, Brenda Lee".
17. "Only When I Laugh, Brenda Lee".
19. "Feels So Right, Brenda Lee".
Until I find these on C.D. I'll keep listening to my albums.
