The Exclusive 5-Pack from Beer Family

This third box-set (but chronologically the second) issued by Bear Family contains complete German achievements of Connie Francis and was probably destined only for local market, since contrary to the two other boxes ("White Sox, Pink Lipstick..." and "Kissin', Twistin',..."; see my review) contains a book written in German. Some of weak points mentioned previously by me appear also here. However, the book looks much more solid and contains beautiful color 9.5x10 in. photos, but the artwork attached to the CD-cases does not keep the highest artistic level. In Connie's shoes, I would deeply hide some of those photos and never show them to anybody (daub!, particularly photos on the inner side of the covers of CDs No. 1 and 3). But somebody who puts a dwarf statue on the lawn in front of his house may like them.

The quality of almost all recordings is good and keeps the same level through the entire collection (138 tracks). The only exceptions are "Gino (with recitation)" (CD 3, track 27; transferred without hiss reduction, probably directly from a worn down vinyl) and one of live recordings (CD 4, track 27). Among them you will find absolute curiosity: song "Danke schön" (CD 4, track 26) sung by turns in five languages!

The songs collected right here could be sorted between four categories: (1) German versions of Connie's English, Italian and Spanish hits, (2) German versions of international hits not recorded by Connie in other languages and (3) German songs composed and recorded for this local market. The fourth, tiny category contains three songs recorded in Dutch (CD 5, track 22: Someone else's boy) and Swedish (CD 5, tracks 23 and 25: Pretty little baby and 24: Mister Twister). If so, then where are her French recordings? Didn't cross over the Maginot line? Thanks God, Connie didn't deliver anything in Polish, otherwise one might have an idea to include it also here!

For those for whom German titles of songs (search for on Bear Family Web site) do not say anything, I'd like to decipher them. Category (1) contains:

CD 1: 1. Everybody's somebody's fool 2. I think of you 3. My heart has a mind of its own 4. Many tears ago 5. Where the boys are 6. No one 7. Someone else's boy 8. Pretty little baby 9. Too many rules 11. Don't break the heart that loves you 12. Kiss'n `twist 13. I'm so alone 14. I follow the boys 15. Tonight's my night 16. Whoever you are I love you 17. Looking for love 18. Let's have a party 19. Roundabout 20. Jealous heart 21. Love is me, love is you 22. My heart cries for you 23. Why say goodbye;

CD 4: 1. (Somewhere) Over the rainbow 3. True love 5. Moon river 6. Dance my trouble away 9. Love is a many splendored thing 10. Jealous heart;

CD 5: 2. My mother's eyes 3. My happiness 20. Let's make it love tonight.

In category (2) you can find:

CD 4: 14. Black eyes; CD 5: 1. `Till I kissed you 4. Talk back trembling lips 5. You bring out the best of the woman in me 6. Rainy days bells 7. Crying in the rain 8. Far and near, forever and always 9. Number one with a heartache 10. What have I got, I got you babe 11. Whispering 12. Oh, pretty woman 14. Shine on 21. There's still a few good songs left in me.

In categories (1), (3) and (4) you can also find plenty of alternative versions: short and full ones, mono and stereo, with and without recitation, etc.

German versions of well known Connie's hits were mostly calked, therefore do not bring anything new. However, they are not as good as originals, probably due to the specificity of German language. Instead of being melodious they sound sometimes more like declamation with music background. For evident reasons the best parts of German version of "Malagueña" are those with only `la la la la la' and the orchestral part (and certainly not the expression `Kastanieten Klang'), but "Vaya Con Dios" is surprisingly acceptable. In German version of "Romantica" the phrase `DU BIST Romantica' sounds like an accusation in Nuremberg trial and not like a part of declaration of love.

German songs composed for Connie (category 3) can't compete with her international hits. They are simply poor, usually due to the terrible orchestration and arrangement. They sound very similar and sometimes it is hard to discover that one song has ended and the next begun. Exactly as their titles: Nino, Gino, Angelino, Colombino. Many of them seem to be taken straight from the Oktoberfest (German beer festival and parade; thus the label Beer Family instead of Bear Family is more proper for this set). Their composers should have switched to the military marches instead of working in pop music. But real disaster was created by arrangers of songs "Schwarze Augen" (Black eyes) and "Zorbas Tanz" (Dance of Zorba). I was very curious about Connie's interpretation of "Black eyes". In her hands this old romance could be a great international hit, her outstanding voice and feeling were ideal for such songs. Could be, but was not! Again due to the wrong arrangement and orchestration (combination of trumpets and mandolins gave cacophonic effect). "Dance of Zorba", a famous piece of Greek music, as stated in the title is a dance, and is not suitable for singing due to its specific rhythm. Any attempt may be very risky and here we have a total wash-out (with all this brass band it sounds like a parade of fire brigade and not like a `sitraki'). If anybody decides one day to issue "The Worst of Connie Francis" collection, these two songs deserve to be the top candidates.

So what are the bright points in this set? Certainly "Que sera, sera" sung with spark in eye and enthusiasm in duet with Peter Kraus. Indeed, alte Liebe rostet nicht! Also immortal "Lili Marleen", "O mein Papa" and "Mack The Knife" (fortunately, here only opening bars are in German) will not disappoint you. If you are not very demanding, you may also like "Paradiso", "Canzone di Napoli" or "Barcarole in der Nacht". Thus, it is very difficult to rate this set because among over hundred of songs I found one- as well as five-star ones. In my opinion the average lies between two and three.

Probably the most devoted Connie's fans have bought this set already many years ago. But if you read this review searching for `something German' for your CD collection of Connie, you'd better buy "Die Liebe Ist Ein Seltsames Spiel" (Polydor, Germany, 2 CDs, 36 songs) or even "Star Gala" (Spectrum, UK, 1 CD, 14 songs). You'll not loose much but can save your nerves and money. Contrary to its title ("Lass Mir Die Bunten Träume"), this set may not leave you color dreams only, but also nightmares.