Track Listing

1. There's No Business Like Show Business - Mary Martin, John Raitt
2. Puttin' on the Ritz - Judy Garland
3. Marie - Vic Damone
4. Song Is Ended - Dinah Shore
5. Heat Wave - Crew Chiefs, Margaret Whiting
6. Isn't This a Lovely Day? - Dick Haymes
7. Play a Simple Melody - Jo Stafford, The Starlighters
8. What'll I Do? - King Cole Trio
9. All by Myself - Bobby Darin
10. You Can Have Him - Nancy Wilson
11. Steppin' Out with My Baby - Gordon MacRae
12. You're Just in Love - Kay Starr
13. Easter Parade - Andy Russell
14. Alexander's Ragtime Band - Johnny Mercer, The Pied Pipers
15. Cheek to Cheek - Peggy Lee
16. Be Careful, It's My Heart - The Four Freshmen
17. Blue Skies - Betty Hutton
18. How Deep Is the Ocean? - Dick Haymes
19. Let's Face the Music and Dance - Nat King Cole
20. How About Me? - Sue Raney
21. Change Partners - Vic Damone
22. I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm - Dean Martin
23. White Christmas - Jo Stafford
24. Always - Gordon MacRae
25. God Bless America - The Pied Pipers, Margaret Whiting, Margaret Whiting

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #47081 in Music
• Released on: 1992-08-25
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .21 pounds

Customer Reviews

Another Solid Capitol Issue
These "Capitol Sings" CDs are terrific surveys of the works of the great American songwriters, and the Irving Berlin disc is one of the best. Standout performances include Kay Starr's "You're Just In Love," Betty Hutton's up-tempo "Blue Skies," and Peggy Lee's "Cheek To Cheek." There are also some lovely Nat King Cole numbers, and a seldom-heard Bobby Darrin swinger ("All By Myself"). A great addition to any collection of 20th-century standards.

fine compilation of hits by the great Irving Berlin
Puttin' on the Ritz: Capitol Sings Irving Berlin is an excellent CD. We get twenty-five wonderful Irving Berlin hits sung by some of the greatest at Capitol Records. The sound quality is excellent and I like the artwork, too!

Mary Martin & John Raitt kick off the track set with a great rendition of "There's No Business Like Show Business." The chorus backs them up well; but they needed no backup-- Mary Martin & John Raitt sing this so very well and the melody is very pretty. The great Judy Garland does a very jazzy rendition of "Puttin' On The Ritz;" Judy sings this better than I've ever heard it and she bats this one straight out of the ballpark.

"The Song Is Ended (But The Melody Lingers On)" by Dinah Shore starts with a great flute arrangement; and when Dinah comes in this number really takes flight! Dinah's voice is clear as a bell; she never sounded better! Listen also for Margaret Whiting to perform a rousing rendition of "Heave Wave." I always liked "Heat Wave;" it's a fun song and Margaret does it great justice. The male backup chorus bolsters Margaret's performance, too.

"Play A Simple Melody" by Jo Stafford gets a great musical arrangement; and this still sounds fresh and new today! Jo's voice is rich, warm and very vibrant. Johnny Mercer & The Pied Pipers also weight in with their version of "Alexander's Ragtime Band;" this classic oldie but goodie gets the royal treatment with a fine big band arrangement. Johnny Mercer sings this to perfection--and beyond! The Pied Pipers do a great job on this tune, too. Peggy Lee also does great on "Cheek To Cheek."

Betty Hutton sings "Blue Skies" very sweetly and the music uses the strings very well. "Blue Skies" is easily a major highlight of this album. Similarly, Nat King Cole does a smash-up job on "Let's Face The Music And Dance." Nat King Cole sings this so well you'd swear his rendition is THE definitive interpretation of this ballad. Dean Martin also does a wonderful job on "I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm." Ooh, how Dean Martin could croon!

Jo Stafford also does a fine job on "White Christmas." Excellent!

This is certainly a fine CD for people who want nostalgic versions of classic pop vocals. People who enjoy the artists on this CD will want this one, too.

A wonderful tribute album
I usually steer clear of tribute albums -- with very few notable exceptions (the "Two Rooms" tribute to Elton John & Bernie Taupin springs to mind), they always fall flat. But how delightful that Capitol Records has culled from their extensive catalog some of the very best examples of Irving Berlin material recorded by some of their classic vocal artists, most notably the great Judy Garland. This album is worth the price of purchase just for Judy's rendition of "Puttin' on the Ritz" alone.

If you're a fan of Judy Garland or of Irving Berlin, be sure to check this album out.... and add it to your collection! You won't be disappointed, since at this price, it's a REAL steal!