This is the second edition of Dyer’s Disc Round-Up, where Jamie and Andrea Dyer write about current releases of vintage music on physical media. This post sees them listen to two recent compilations from Germany’s Bear Family Records; One celebrates a legendary singer while the other is a seasonal affair!
On the Dancefloor with Connie Francis
Connie Francis
Bear Family Records
2024
Connie Francis’ voice seems to define and epitomise a particular era in popular music. Therefore, any track she touches becomes both totally her own and universal. This selection of 32 tracks demonstrates this versatility amply. Her vocal quality is such that her work can appeal to anybody. Teens who followed her early pop career, those who enjoy exploring music in languages other than English, lovers of smooth ballads and even country music fans could all find something here.
A highlight is the smooth rock-and-roll Lipstick on Your Collar, brimming with energy under the masterfully controlled vocal. Francis’ delivery was always well-balanced and fitted to each and every song. Vacation, a fun school-break song which evokes an idyll of teenhood, stands out. Another performance here worthy of note is My Real Happiness, which feels like it could have worked equally well for Brenda Lee. However, as ever, Francis delivers it with a feeling and energy which is so engaging.
The sound quality here is great, with the added biographical and session information included in the booklet a welcome addition to the listening experience.
It’s a fun compilation that is an excellent addition to this long-running series. On the Dancefloor With Connie Francis is available to order from Bear Family Records.
Tracklisting:
- If My Pillow Could Talk
- Stupid Cupid
- Baby Roo
- The Tiger And The Mouse
- Ol’ Man Mose
- Torero
- Looking For Love
- Send For My Baby
- Lipstick On Your Collar
- Eighteen
- Some Else’s Boy
- Swanee
- Vacation
- My Real Happiness
- Plenty Good Lovin’
- Fallin’
- Ain’t That Better Baby?
- Hollywood
- Gonna Git That Man
- Many Tears Ago
- Malaguena
- Tweedle Dee
- Telephone Lover
- Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool
- Robot Man
- Come On, Jerry (Timber)
- Mr. Twister
- Johnny Darlin’
- He’s Just A Scientist
- I Won’t Be Home To You
- The Song Is Ended (But The Melody Lingers On)
- Goody Goodbye
The House Of Horrors – 27 Spooky Tales For Your Halloween Party
Various Artists
Bear Family Records
2024
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Bear Family Records have for the spooky season a new compilation, themed around all things Halloween: The House of Horrors. It features 27 tracks by various artists, all with different approaches to the theme.
The highlight for me is Henry Mancini’s Spook! In his usual slinky style, it evokes a sense of suspense with subtlety and class. Other top picks are Little Gerhard’s Rockin’ Ghosts, because it offers movement without too much that overwhelms the listener: it is well-balanced and fun. Steel-guitar legend Pete Drake also manages to get a really creepy and pleasing effect from his mastery of the instrument with his track The Spook. The instrumental tracks seem to meet the brief of Hallowe’en so effectively, whereas some of the vocal tracks are almost too theatrical to really get their message across.
Overall, The House of Horrors is a fun seasonal offering with a few standout tracks. For horror fans and those who embrace the season of the supernatural, this is a nice collection of material. It would also be a worthy background for a Halloween party. The House Of Horrors – 27 Spooky Tales For Your Halloween Party is available from Bear Family Records.
Tracklisting:
- Merv Griffin – House Of Horrors
- The Dupoints – Screamin’ Ball (At Dracula Hall)
- Screamin’ Jay Hawkins – Little Demon
- The Hollywood Flames – Frankenstein’s Den
- The Castle Kings – You Can Get Him – Frankenstein
- The Monotones – Zombi
- Lon Chaney – Monster Holiday
- Screamin’ Jay Hawkins – I Put A Spell On You
- The Swinging Phillies – Frankenstein’s Party
- Sharkey Todd and The Monsters – Horror Show
- Frankie Stein and The Ghouls – Knives And Lovers
- Casey Jones and The Governors – Jack The Ripper
- Round Robin – I’m The Wolfman
- Henry Mancini and his Orchestra – Spook!
- The Jay-Hawks – The Creature (From Outerspace)
- Little Gerhard – Rockin’ Ghosts
- Lord Luther – (I Was A) Teenage Creature
- Pete Drake – The Spook
- Bo Diddley – Bo Meets The Monster
- The Regal-Airs – It
- The Calvanes – Horror Pictures
- Big Bee Kornegay – At The House of Frankenstein
- Dave Gardner – Mad Witch
- Orvin Yoes – The Vampire
- Pete Pepper – Purple People Eater, Eater
- Dick Barton’s Rebels – Yes Baby, I’m Scared
- Count Stephen – Spooky
Thank you for reading this edition of Dyer’s Disc Round-Up! We’re passionate about discovering and reviewing new releases of vintage music. Have you got something for us? Email Jamie at Jamie@oldtimereview.co.uk with all the details. We can’t wait to hear from you!
