Review by Michael Macomber

Release Date: 07/17/07
Original Release Dates: April 1966 ("Shadow of Your Smile" Atlantic 8121), June 1966 ("Broadway Bag" Atlantic 8126)
Producer: Bobby Darin
Arrangements: Richard Wess & Shorty Rogers ("Shadow"), Shorty Rogers & Perry Botkin Jr. ("Broadway")
Format: CD (1 Disc)
Label: Edsel
Note: All tracks digitally remastered from the original tapes.

"Sings the Shadow of Your Smile" signaled Bobby Darin's return to his old label, Atlantic, after a 7-album stint at Capitol. Continuing in the vein of his last two swingin' Capitol LPs, Darin brings in "Shadow" as a glorious salute to the great songwriters, with entries from such luminaries as Johnny Mercer, Burt Bacharach, "Yip" Harburg, and the Gershwins. The Darin magic infuses every one of these tracks, from the tender and warm title tune, to Darin's passionate and dramatic reading of "I Will Wait For You," to the playful and snappy "Cute." His own composition, "Rainin'," fits in beautifully, casting a very special kind of lazy day spell.

"In a Broadway Bag" is just what the title suggests: Darin puts his stamp on many of the Broadway hits of the time. The narcissistic "I Believe in You" gets flipped on its head, and becomes a sweet pledge of support for a lover or friend. "Everybody Has the Right to Be Wrong" is pure, jaunty Darin joy, delivered with his trademark vocal wink. His heartwarming and effective rendition of "Once Upon a Time" is a classic, and is only overshadowed by the final cut on this record, his indescribably powerful and haunting version of "Night Song." In this one, he uses every bit of his legendary acting skill, to draw out every ounce of heart-rending truth from the lyrics. Breathtaking.

Tracks:

Sings the Shadow of Your Smile:
1. The Shadow Of Your Smile
2. The Sweetheart Tree
3. I Will Wait For You
4. The Ballad Of Cat Ballou
5. What's New Pussycat
6. Rainin'
7. Lover Come Back To Me
8. Cute
9. After You've Gone
10. It's Only A Paper Moon
11. Liza (All The Clouds'll Roll Away)
12. We Didn't Ask To Be Brought Here (Bonus Track)
13. Funny What Love Can Do (Bonus Track)
14. The Breaking Point (Bonus Track)
15. Silver Dollar (Bonus Track)

In a Broadway Bag:
16. Mame
17. I Believe In You
18. It's Today
19. Everybody Has The Right To Be Wrong
20. Feeling Good
21. Don't Rain On My Parade
22. The Other Half Of Me
23. Once Upon A Time
24. Try To Remember
25. I'll Only Miss Her When I Think Of Her
26. Night Song
27. Walking In The Shadow Of Love (Bonus Track)
28. Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? (Bonus Track)
29. Merci Cherie (Bonus Track)