fine budget priced album
20th Century Masters: The Best of the Andrews Sisters is an excellent, budget priced CD that gives people an excellent introduction (or a brief retrospective of) the marvelous sounds of The Andrews Sisters. The Andrews Sisters were extremely popular in their day and this CD demonstrates why. They remain one of my favorite groups even today!
The CD starts off with their smash hit "Bei Mir Bist Du Schöen." The three sisters harmonize perfectly although, unfortunately, there is some surface noise on the track. At any rate, I think you'll like "Bei Mir Bist Du Schöen" very much. "Hold Tight (Want Some Sea Food)" has the sisters singing once again; and they never sounded better. They possessed an incredible ability to harmonize swing tunes and make them sound positively electric. Incredible!
"I'll Be With You In Apple Blossom Time" again has surface noise; but this romantic ballad is at its best when these three sisters sing it. "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" switches gears very quickly; this next tune on the album swings brightly and the sisters keep up a great, fast rhythm that impresses me very much.
"Rum And Coca-Cola" is a great Latin themed ballad that was very popular at the time; and this swingin' tune sounds as soft and romantic as silk when The Andrews Sisters perform it. Moreover, listen for "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive" by Bing Crosby together with The Andrews Sisters. When Bing recorded with The Andrews Sisters there was always an excellent tune as the result of it; and "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive" is certainly no exception.
The album ends with "I Can Dream, Can't I?" This sweet number gets the royal treatment and the strings enhance this ballad very well. The background chorus sounds great, too.
The liner notes aren't much but you buy the CD for the music anyhow. I do wish, however, that they had added a song or two--at 35 minutes the CD is a tad short.
In short, The Andrews Sisters really shine on this CD even with a bit of surface noise on a couple of the twelve tracks. This inexpensively priced collection should be enough to whet the appetite of newcomers to The Andrews Sisters; and fans on a budget will enjoy this CD, too.
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