Mandy Patinkin
Artist: Mandy Patinkin
Community Score: 10.00

Patinkin has reserves of emotion that seem boundless on this tour de force collection mainly given over to show songs. Employing a vocal range that begins in a clear high tenor and plunges to a gruff baritone, Patinkin is able to act and sing duets with himself or sing beautifully alone. But feeling -- sometimes overflowing feeling -- is the... Read More

Monica Mancini
Artist: Monica Mancini

Henry Mancini's daughter takes a daring debut step as a vocalist right into her father's shadow. On an album covering her father's songs, she makes her mark with a sweet, smooth voice and a nice sense of phrasing. Her gamble pays off with lushly orchestrated versions of "Two for the Road," "Moon River," "Moment to Moment," and others. ~ Tim... Read More

Because You Loved Me: Songs of Diane Warren
Artist: Johnny Mathis

Since Diane Warren was the most successful songwriter of the 1990s, it is surprising that nobody devoted an entire album to her songs until Johnny Mathis did in 1998. Of course, Warren's renown was slow to build, since she achieved her success the old fashioned way, by writing and pitching her songs, but not actually recording them herself.... Read More

The Playground
Artist: Tony Bennett
Coming Back Like a Song: 25 Hits 1941-47
Artist: Jo Stafford

The selection on this compilation of Jo Stafford's early recordings is flawless. A legend on the sleeve reads "25 hits 1941-1947", and that is nearly accurate, as the 74½-minute disc contains every Top Ten hit -- all 18 of them -- on which Stafford sang a lead vocal in the almost seven years under consideration. Stafford began that period as one... Read More

The Ultimate Hits Collection
Artist: Johnny Mathis

The title may be a little presumptuous, but The Ultimate Hits Collection lives up to its billing. Spanning over 20 years, from Johnny Mathis' first entry on the charts ("Wonderful! Wonderful!") in 1957, to his last chart-topper ("Too Much, Too Little, Too Late") in 1978, the collection offers no less than 18 hits. Yes, there are some hits... Read More

Gregariously Groucho
Artist: Groucho Marx

Gregariously Groucho compiles highlights from various stages of Groucho Marx's comedy career, from radio bits with the Marx Brothers to his stint as a quiz show host. Special guest appearances are made by Jack Benny, Marilyn Monroe, Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Betty Grable, and more. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide Read More

Cadence Collection
Artist: Andy Williams

This two-CD, 40-track British compilation was, at the time of its release in 1998, the most comprehensive collection of Andy Williams's early recordings in print. Williams recorded for Cadence Records from 1955 to 1961, a period that coincided with the birth of rock & roll, and though he, six years Elvis Presley's senior and in the business... Read More

Mamaloshen
Artist: Mandy Patinkin

Documenting the Jewish-American experience in song, Patinkin weaves a rich tapestry of legend, oral history and popular song, all in Yiddish. The most interesting tunes include Paul Simon's "American Tune" and "Maria" from West Side Story which become perfectly adapted to Patinkin's use. The lush arrangements by Paul Ford lend a sweeping... Read More

My Love Forgive Me/Sincerely Yours...
Artist: Robert Goulet

Two of Robert Goulet's best early albums, My Love Forgive Me and Sincerely Yours, were combined on this single-CD reissue by Collectables. Although the sound and the packaging could be a little better, this still is a fine way for collectors to pick up these two records on disc. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide Read More

What's Going On
Artist: Everette Harp

Conventional contemporary wisdom says that performing covers of beloved pop classics is a cheap way to lure the curious. But when care is taken to create an entire, imaginative tribute to a great artist, with no two arrangements alike, some latitude should be in order. On his eclectic reworking of all the songs on Marvin Gaye's legendary What's... Read More

Spotlight on Jo Stafford
Artist: Jo Stafford

Spotlight on Jo Stafford is an excellent 18-track overview of her recordings for Capitol Records. Although it doesn't her biggest hits, it does have a good selection of lesser-known gems from later in her career, featuring such highlights as "(It Was) Just One of Those Things," "Too Marvelous for Words, " "In the Still of the Night, " "Fools... Read More

All-Time Favorites!
Artist: Johnny Mathis

Though it contains Johnny Mathis' two most successful singles, "Chances Are" and "Too Much, Too Little, Too Late," as well as seven of his other chart hits, the budget-priced, 36-track, triple-CD/double-cassette compilation All-Time Favorites! does not qualify as a hits collection. Rather, it selects tracks mostly from Mathis' albums released... Read More