– Ann Margret, for me, has always been kinda like the annoying “drama class” girl in high-school — the girl who tries too hard to stand out in just about everything she does. When I watch Ann Margret in a movie, especially the ones in which she sings, it’s like she is begging to be noticed. One-hundred and ten percent of the time, she can be exhausting in a scene. Having said that, I do enjoy her. Loved her in Viva Las Vegas and The Pleasure Seekers and have actually learned to appreciate and enjoy her sense of theater in all she does. So, when I purchased this record recently, I knew very well that I was going to get a high-octane collection of 60’s torch & pop songs. This is a wonderful collection for a cocktail party. No one sings a song like Ms. Margret, and the showmanship I spoke of does indeed shine through. But, in a wonderful way, the drama permeating on this record works with the drama often found in a well-mixed cocktail or at around 11pm in the living room of a perfect cocktail party. These are early songs in her career, so they should fit in warmly with a throw back party.

– It’s been a while since I reviewed an album by Andy Williams, and this one is much more swinging. I have a lot of the singer’s original & complete records in my collection but this is the first “greatest hits” I’ve purchased. It works as it cuts right through the flotsam and presents the listener with a retro-cool album perfect for a night with the gang and a pitcher of spicy cocktails. Toes will obviously tap to Music to Watch Girls By, but, hold on a sec, Andy’s swankier style also comes out on Look of Love, Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You & Spooky. We always try and pair up the classic cocktails of yesteryear with the classic sounds of the time, and it’s with records like this that your drinks will shine.

– “Yikes!” I’m dangerously close to slipping down the dangerous slope of easy listening, but I believe Petula skates the line. She’s so 60’s London in my mind’s eye … and 60’s swinging pop songs, when mixed with other 60’s sounds, can make a very cool statement when throwing a cocktail party. After you pour a few drinks for your guests and Don’t Sleep In The Subway pops up in the rotation, watch what happens. People will sing along, heads will bob, the infectious pop will make its mark. Petula Clark has one of the best pop singing voices ever to come out of the decade. A “greatest hits” album is all you really need, unless you’re a Petula-Head and if so, you probably have everything anyway. I love retro cocktails, home bars, simpler times … and Petula fits in nicely. This is a great one with songs like Downtown, Call Me & Kiss Me Goodbye. This is a bargain.

– Starting to slip more & more of the newer interpretations of the classics in here. What can I say? There’s some marvelous stuff coming out. This female jazz singer from Singapore has the most amazing, lilting, subtle voice I’ve heard out of the modernist movement & teaming with the Mercer songbook was a brilliant way to showcase it. One of my favorite standards of all times has to be Autumn Leaves, and Jacintha’s interpretation, in soft French voice, does as much almost, as Nat Cole’s version. I adore it and plan on playing it a lot during the autumn. Mercer’s songs, when handled correctly, are just so comforting. You will be titillated & comforted by Jacintha’s versions. This is a pretty sophisticated jazz/cocktail album, and one that would be perfect for a cozy night at home. I purchased this album cold, hadn’t heard a thing about it except knowing the title song. Boy, did I get exceptionally lucky. The voice is perfect as are the arrangements.