Sometimes in the middle of all sixties psych, seventies prog, raunchy rock and clever pop I need a break and more soothing stuff. A good way for that is returning to the great American romantic era, flourishing between the early twenties and late thirties with names as Bing Crosby, Russ Colombo and Al Jolson. What I like most about the genre, apart from the often elaborate arrangements and the memories it may trigger from my childhood, is the almost shameless expression of emotions and the often self-revealing drama. These guys were not just doing romantic songs, but going all in. And I doubt any artists performed more emotional and dramatic than Jeanette Mac Donald (1903-65) and Nelson Eddy (1901-67). Both with background in the opera - Eddy baryton and Mac Donald soprano - they managed to introduce that song style and atmosphere in American movies and musicals in the thirties, making it part of the domestic popular culture. This collection are tracks they recorded for eight MGM movies, solo or together, plus "Song Of Love" from the musical "Blossom Time". All but SOL film recordings and since they existed on tapes providing better audio than if transmitted directly from wax to vinyl. I think it's beautiful. High strung and pretentious at parts, but you never doubt the sincerity. Favorite track - the duet "Indian Love Call" - over the top in so many ways still impossible not to love. Premiere US on RCA (LPV-526). Early UK had label as shown here and laminated flip/back cover. (FÄV^)
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