Review by Michael Macomber
Release Date: 11/17/1995
Format: CD (4 Discs)
Label: Rhino
Listen to Samples
Get the CD at: Deep Discount - Amazon
As they say in the gold-mining biz: it looks like we've struck the mother load! This 4-disc set is a Darin fan's dearest wish come true. Containing 96 tracks spanning the years 1958 to 1972, this collection manages to present the breadth and depth of Bobby's career and talent like no other release. And considering how many exciting artistic turns Bobby's took in his life, that's really saying something.
It would take a lot more space than I have here to list all my favorite tracks, but here are a few highlights: Disc 1 includes Bobby's totally badass, down n' dirty rendition of "Easy Rider", as well as the fantastic California-style pop-rocker "She Knows" (written by Garry Bonner and Alan Gordon, the same folks who wrote "Happy Together"). "She Knows" is one of those tunes that seems tailor-made for Bobby, rolling out the story of his life with each verse. Disc 2 boasts Bobby's fabulous, bouncy version of the Edith Piaf signature tune, "Milord", along with the absolutely stunning, breathtaking "Nature Boy". "Ain't No Sweet Gal That's Worth the Salt in My Tears" on Disc 3 finds Bobby swinging with his patented emotional intensity. Disc 4 is packed full of rarin' Darin delights, like the deeply felt, confessional "I Am", a stirring performance of "Darling Be Home Soon", and Bobby's dark, soul-unburdening tribute to RFK, "In Memoriam".
All told, "As Long As I'm Singing" is a worthy tribute to a performer who had no equal then, and who has seen no equal since.
Tracks:
DISC 1: THE ROCK 'N' ROLL YEARS:
1. Early In The Morning - (with The Rinky Dinks)
2. Splish Splash
3. Queen Of The Hop
4. Don't Call My Name
5. All The Way Home
6. Lost Love
7. Plain Jane
8. Dream Lover - (previously unreleased, demo version)
9. Dream Lover
10. Bullmoose
11. Somebody To Love
12. I Got A Woman - (live)
13. You Must Have Been A Beautiful Baby
14. Irresistible You
15. Multiplication
16. What'd I Say
17. Right Time, The
18. If A Man Answers
19. Treat My Baby Good
20. When I Get Home
21. We Didn't Ask To Be Brought Here
22. Funny What Love Can Do
23. She Knows
24. Easy Rider - (previously unreleased)
25. Everywhere I Go - (previously unreleased)
26. Sail Away
DISC 2: THE POP YEARS, PART ONE:
1. Mack The Knife
2. Beyond The Sea
3. That's The Way Love Is
4. That's All
5. Clementine
6. The Gal That Got Away
7. Black Coffee
8. Guys And Dolls
9. Won't You Come Home Bill Bailey
10. Minnie The Moocher
11. Easy Living
12. I Found A New Baby
13. It's You Or No One
14. Milord
15. Two Of A Kind - (with Johnny Mercer).
16. Artificial Flowers
17. Lazy River
18. It Had To Be You
19. How About You
20. Nature Boy
21. Baby Face
DISC 3: THE POP YEARS, PART TWO:
1. As Long As I'm Singing
2. Oh! Look At Me Now
3. A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square
4. The Party's Over
5. This Isn't Heaven
6. My Funny Valentine - (previously unreleased, live)
7. You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You - (previously unreleased, live)
8. Hello, Dolly!
9. Once In A Lifetime (Only Once)
10. Look At Me
11. Charade
12. Sunday In New York
13. Somewhere
14. There Ain't No Sweet Gal That's Worth The Salt Of My Tears
15. Silver Dollar
16. Lover Come Back To Me
17. Rainin'
18. The Shadow Of Your Smile
19. Mame
20. Don't Rain On My Parade
21. Beautiful Things
22. The Curtain Falls - (previously unreleased, live)
DISC 4: THE FOLK & COUNTRY YEARS:
1. Things
2. You're The Reason I'm Living
3. Lonesome Whistle
4. Sally Was A Good Old Girl
5. 18 Yellow Roses
6. Walking In The Shadow Of Love
7. Work Song
8. I'm On My Way, Great God - (previously unreleased, live)
9. Blowin' In The Wind
10. If I Were A Carpenter.
11. The Girl That Stood Beside Me
12. Reason To Believe
13. Lovin' You
14. The Lady Came From Baltimore
15. I Am
16. Darling Be Home Soon
17. Back Street Girl
18. I'm Going To Love You - (previously unreleased)
19. Long Time Movin' - (previously unreleased)
20. Long Line Rider
21. In Memoriam
22. Me & Mr. Hohner
23. Song For A Dollar
24. Sweet Reasons
25. I'll Be Your Baby Tonight - (previously unreleased, live)
26. Simple Song Of Freedom - (previously unreleased, demo)
27. Simple Song Of Freedom - (live)
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