“The Best of ’66 (volume 2)” — Though I don’t necessarily agree with this album’s title, it definitely has some great swing/jazz tracks. And, as you can see, plenty of songs from movies and musicals.
Side 1:
- A Taste of Honey – Tony Bennett
- King of the Road – Ray Coniff and The Singers
- Yesterday – Percy Faith
- What Did I Have That I Don’t Have – (from “On A Clear Day You Can See Forever”) Eydie Gorme
- Try to Remember – (from “The Fantasitcks”) Robert Goulet
Side 2:
- Lara’s Theme – (from “Doctor Zhivago”) Andre Kostelanetz
- What’s New Pussycat? – (from “What’s New Pussycat?”) Steve Lawrence
- The Shadow of Your Smile – (love theme from “The Sandpiper”) Barbra Streisand
- Sunrise, Sunset – (from “Fiddler on the Roof”) Jerry Vale
- Michelle – Andy Williams
Overall, this album has an easy-listening, night club, jazzy feel. I love most of the songs; my top three are probably Try to Remember, the instrumental violin version of Yesterday, and King of the Road. Robert Goulet’s voice is absolutely perfect for Try to Remember, and I would seriously walk down the aisle to this track if it weren’t for the applause halfway through the first line (alas, the downside to live recordings).The violin Yesterday captures the emotion of the song better than any other version I have heard. King of the Road is nothing spectacular emotionally or technically, but it is so fun to sing along to.
On the flip side (literally and figuratively), What’s New Pussycat? should stop after the first chorus. Seriously, this may be the most annoying song ever written, or at least written in the 60’s. No offense to Steve Lawrence, but I think he may have tried to make the song more annoying on purpose. The blaring brass behind him certainly doesn’t help.
Overall, great album. This is one I definitely play over and over again. If you ever get your hands on a copy, feel free to skip the needle past track 2 on side 2. There is no need to go through that torture. If you don’t skip it, Any Williams’ Michelle will make up for it.
Vinyl and Velvet 