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| | A Richard Crooks Serenade | | | Music Style : | | General | | Record Label : | | Asv Living Era | | Release Date : | | 1998-02-17 | | Store Price : | | $15.98 | | Artistopia's Price: $15.98 | |
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CD Tracks/Songs
Disc 11. Serenade: Overhead the Moon Is Beaming - Richard Crooks, Lewis James,
2. Ah! Sweet Mystery of Life
3. Song of Songs
4. When You're Away
5. Rio Rita
6. Only a Rose
7. Because
8. I Bring a Love Song - Richard Crooks,
9. Vienna, City of My Dreams
10. Only My Song - Richard Crooks, New Mayfair Dance Orchestra
11. Gipsy Moon - Richard Crooks, New Mayfair Dance Orchestra
12. Macushla
13. Smilin' Through
14. If I Should Send a Rose to You
15. Holy City - Richard Crooks, Herbert Dawson
16. Songs My Mother Taught Me - Richard Crooks,
17. Beautiful Dreamer - Richard Crooks, Frank La Forge
18. Oh, Susannah - Ralph Colicchio, Richard Crooks, Frank La Forge
19. Ah! May the Red Rose Live Alway! - Richard Crooks, Frank La Forge
20. I Dream of Jeannie With the Light Brown Hair - Richard Crooks, Frank La Forge
21. Serenade - Richard Crooks,
22. Be Thou Faithful Unto Death
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Customer Reviews of This Album/CD |
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 A truly awesome voice!
Submitted on: 2000-06-02 |
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| "A Richard Crooks Serenade" is a marvelous sampling of one of the greatest singers America had produced in the 30's and 40's. One gets to witness that honey Crooks sound in such classics as Ah, "Sweet Mystery of Life" (catch that magnificent High C at the end), "Macushla", the three Stephen Foster songs, and "If I should Send a Rose to You" (sort of Crook's theme song). This entire CD is a gem, but some REAL standouts are "The Holy City", "Because", "Be Thou Faithful Unto Death" (from the seldom performed St Paul by Mendelssohn). "Be Thou Faithful" will literally tug at your heartstrings. The "Serenade" from The Student Prince is a masterpiece of fine singing (Crooks, by the way, was Romberg's original choice for the lead role in this operetta). Crooks' voice literally pours out in this recording of "Serenade", culminating in two excellently placed High C's (the only real serious competition to Crooks on this song, in my opinion, is the great Mario Lanza). Crooks was one of the primo American Tenors of the 30's/40's era, displaying a technique and style that was unmatched, and after examining this CD, one will surely understand why. By all means, treat yourself to this recording and see what truly great singing is all about. |
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What a fabulous Tenor!!!!!
Submitted on: 2000-05-23 |
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| If one has not had the oportunity of hearing the great voice of Richard Crooks, they have really missed out. Richard Crooks possessed an intense lyricism that is unmatched today. Crooks' "Serenade" from The Student Prince is sheer perfection (singing it in the original key, not lowered a whole step, like most Tenors), culminating on two very vibrant High C's. It is interesting to note that Crooks was Romberg's original choice for the role of Karl Franz (the lead) in the Student Prince, but, due to opera commitments, was unable to debut the role. This is a performance rivaled only by the great Mario Lanza. Other musical highlights on this CD are "Macushla", "Song of Songs", "The Holy City", and "Ah Sweet Mystery of Life". "Ah May the Red Rose live Alway" is sure to bring a tear to one's eye. A nuance on "Ah Sweey Mystery of Life" finds Crooks soaring up to a High C at the end (a feat one finds no other Tenor attempting on any other recording) and with Crooks, it works well. Crooks' "Because" is the standard by which all others are measured. One of the real finds on this disk is Crooks' "Be Thou Faithful unto Death" from the rarely performed "Paul" by Felix Mendelssohn. What heartfelt singing this truly is. Crooks genuinely excelled in this music and one simply MUST purchase this CD to listen to a true master. So if one is not that familiar with the incomparable voice of Richard Crooks, treat yourself and puchase this recording now! This collection is pure enjoyment from the Student Prince "Serenade" to the final selection "Be Thou Faithful unto Death". A real gem. |
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