Peter Durward Harris

Another great collection of Abba's music, 19 Jun 2013

Only the opening track, Winner takes it all, made number one in the UK charts, but it is possible that I have a dream, also featured here, sold more copies; it was UK number two for several weeks at the end of 2009, behind Pink Floyd's Another brick in the wall. Other great hits featured here include One of us (Abba's last major UK hit), Does your mother know (the only major hit featuring Bjorn as the lead singer) and Thank you for the music, which would have been a much bigger hit if it had been released a few years earlier, as it could have been. Chiquitita, Gimmie gimmie gimmie and Head over heels also made the UK charts and are included here. Two other hits, Under attack and So long… Read more

Mostly the sixties, 19 Jun 2013

This as one of the earliest Petula compilations to be released on CD. It runs for almost the maximum possible length, taking over 75 minutes to play 27 tracks. vEverything here has been released on more recent compilations and/or reissues of original albums. Those later releases someetimes benefit from better mastering, but for those who just want a basic collection, this will do if you can get it cheaply.

It has a lot of Petula's important English-language hits including Downtown, Sailor, This is my song and My love, plus a selection of covers.

Tracks

1 Downtown
2 Imagine (not the John Lennon song)
3 Volare
4 This is my song
5 The other… Read more

A diverse collection showcases Mina's talents, 19 Jun 2013

Many years aga, I reviewed Mina Canta I Beatles, which the Italian singer recorded in English. At around that time, I also bought this collection. It has now been re-issued with an identical track listing and cover.

The songs covers a wide range of styles and tempos. Two retain their Italian titles, but also appear here in English. Rock'n'roll is represented by covers of Be bopa a li=ula (Gene Vincent), Splish splash (Bobby Darin), and When (Kalin twins). In sharp contrast, there is Summertime (the oft-covered Gershwin classic) along with other ballads including Let me go, Pretend that I'm her and Foodbye is a lonesome… Read more