As Time Goes By
With at least four albums of unheard Carpenters material already released, you'd have
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thought the well would surely be dry by now. Yet with As Time Goes By, Richard Carpenter digs up another batch of outtakes, demos and TV performances to delight the duo's legions of fans. A legendary perfectionist, he's eschewed the "warts and all" approach, and instead rearranged, remixed and often rerecorded the original backing tracks to lend that famous Carpenters smoothness to even the ropier TV efforts. Most interesting are the endearingly innocent garage versions of "Nowhere Man" and "California Dreamin'", recorded in 1967 when Karen was just 16, a sweet 1971 cover of Wildweeds' "And When He Smiles" and a pretty take on Kermit the Frog's classic "The Rainbow Connection". Elsewhere, there's a warm and loungey medley where Karen and Perry Como sing each other's songs, and a glorious duet with Ella Fitzgerald where "My Funny Valentine" and "Someone to Watch Over Me" are made to shine once more. Richard displays his keyboard virtuosity with "Dizzy Fingers" and a grand medley of sci-fi themes, and the only disappointment is a cover of "Dancing in the Street" where Karen fails to really capture the song's joyous mood. Despite this, it's a must for all fans of easy listening. --Dominic Wills
As Time Goes By
No stranger to covers, Bryan Ferry has often opted for classics from other times and
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places. As Time Goes By focuses on music largely from the 1930s and 40s and conjures that era's aura of fine cigars, satin gowns and gentlemanly romance. The opening title track summons images of Bogie and Ingrid and is one of the finest moments in the collection. The swanky versions of Nina Simone's signature "Love Me or Leave Me" and "I'm in the Mood for Love" (which has a faint Martin Denny overtone) are perfectly suited to Ferry's low-key vocals (he's no real crooner, let's face it). His talented band swings with fervour, especially on the upbeat tunes "The Way You Look Tonight", "Lover Come Back to Me" and "Just One of Those Things". There are a number of intimate, romantic moments, but the highlight is Ferry's take on "Falling in Love Again", first made famous way back when with devastating sadness by Marlene Dietrich. Ferry's version is almost as moving. --Lorry Fleming
...Sash is a prime example of crossover dance. So much so that many djs will not play his music in clubs anymore, but in my opinion a sash tune is a quality tune! The first sash tune I heard was uncore une fois, one more time? I bought the import cos I couldn’t wait for the official release, and id still like to hear that when I go out. Then came 2 more number two hits, equador and stay. These are sash’s tracks from his album life goes on, which isnt bad, but theres something which makes it not worth buying, although, stay, encore une fois and equador are quality tracks that’s the album over....
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Ciao members have rated this review on average off topic
Advantages: Different, Ferry at his best, Excellently executed Disadvantages: Arrangement on 'I'm In The Mood For Love' (small gripe!)
...I was once watching the opening credits to the Sitcom 'As TimeGoes By' and thought 'Bryan Ferry could do this miles better'. So imagine my surprise when he actually did (okay, I was also surprised that this album only took four years to arrive...)
The great thing was I was right. Ferry has always had an ear for the classic tunes but he always adds his own little (or sometimes not so little) touches to them. The true genius is he quite often makes his version better than the original.
'As TimeGoes By' is a album of 15 songs from the 30's and 40's performed in the style of the period. Ferry seems in his element; crooning along, laid-back and thoroughly enjoying himself. You can just see him in some ballroom, leaning across a piano and captivating his audience.
The track listing is amazing including 'As TimeGoes By', 'Miss Otis...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
helpful 14.12.2002
Rodders Review ofAs TimeGoes By (The Great American Songbook Vol.2) - Rod Stewartby
mrmahoosive
Advantages: Easy to listen to Disadvantages: Same old songs
...An all round good album.
But people are just covering the same songs! If Westlife were American they'd sing like this. A good choice of covers (see track listing) for Rods voice.
I wouldn't recommend this album if you were going to buy it for general listening, but it's just one of those that you can play in the background at a social gathering.
Track List:
1. Time After Time
2. I'm In The Mood For Love
3. Don't Get Around Much Anymore
4. Bewitched Bothered And Bewildered - Stewart, Rod & Cher
5. Till There Was You
6. Until The Real Thing Comes Along
7. Where Or When
8. Smile
9. My Heart Stood Still
10. Someone To Watch Over Me
11. As TimeGoes By - Stewart, Rod & Queen Latifah
12. I Only Have Eyes For You
13. Crazy She Calls Me
14. Our Love Is Here To Stay...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful
somewhat helpful 07.11.2005
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