Partner In Paradise

Bobby Darin's stint with Capitol records from 1962-1965 was during a changing time in American music. Big band swing was going out; and the Beatles were in. In recent years we've seen a resurgence of interest in this music with new young artists like Peter Cincotti & Michael Buble among others recording tributes built on this era. With the Kevin Spacey movie coming out about Bobby Darin, perhaps increased interest will be attached to this great singer. One professional reviewer said that Darin was not an original interpreter of music and paled next to Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett. Without taking anything away from other artists, I hear in Darin a quintessential performer. If there's any criticism of the disc, with 13 tracks all under 3 minutes long, the disc breezes by in a flash. However, there are some real delights here such as the big band arrangement on "Hello Young Lovers" with Darin's voice expressive & strong, "I know how it feels to have some wings upon your heels and to fly down the street in a trance, you'll fly down the street on the chance that you will meet & you meet her not really by chance." Rogers & Hammerstein's "This Nearly Was Mine" has a great horn chart as Darin sings about "One partner in Paradise." "Make Someone Happy" is a delightful track with Darin's voice belting out the melody about the jazz chart with some smoking sax. Cyndi Lauper recorded a Latin-flavored version of "On the Street Where You Live" on her recent "At Last" CD. Bobby Darin's version also sparkles with energy and the big band rocking out. Gershwin's "I Got Rhythm" that opens this set is also a delightful track with Darin bopping joyfully. On Duke Ellington's "I'm Beginning to See the Light," Darin swings & sways, raising the temperature of desire. Darin does Cole Porter's "All of You" with zest. Capitol has remastered the recordings so that the sound quality on the disc is exquisite. This is an excellent set that certainly swings from this past master! Enjoy!