Bobby Darin - The Bobby Darin Story (1961)

Released in the early '60s, here's the first part of Darin's career told by the vocalist himself in a 12-song greatest-hits collection that really works. The narration inserts still function well after all these years, making you realize that this was originally a vinyl album, as Darin negotiates from rock & roller to finger-snapping lounge lizard. This album focuses on his early days with ATCO records in the late 50's and early 60's. Not all the cuts are the ones that were released as singles, and it's interesting to hear the unfamiliar cuts of familiar songs. :~ Cub Koda

Tracks:
01. Splish Splash
02. Early In The Morning
03. Queen Of The Hop
04. Plain Jane
05. Dream Lover
06. Mack The Knife
07. Beyond The Sea
08. Clementine
09. Bill Bailey
10. Artificial Flowers
11. Somebody To Love
12. Lazy River


This is an early compilation album transferred intact to CD. Between numbers, Bobby Darin comments on the impact and import of each song (including a charmingly anachronistic, "If you don't turn this over, I'm liable to run into the label," followed by a resounding crash).
The Bobby Darin Story includes his early hits, "Splish Splash" and "Queen of the Hop" as well as the iconic "Mack The Knife." Everything about this CD screams "musty old record album in the basement" including the label which advises us that this recording is in stereo. Wowee.
Unremastered and rather reedy recordings of most of the songs made me wish I had the original LP, with the cracks, hisses and pops they so rightfully deserve. No Information Age smoothness here. This album, er, CD is a real chestnut, full of artifacts from a vanished time.
The tumult of the Sixties is reflected in the widely varying musical styles on this recording. Bobby Darin spent much of his career finding his own unique voice, veering between bubblegum At The Hop pop and derivative Tin Pan Alley toss-offs until he passed magnificently "Beyond The Sea."
Darin's tragically brief life and stellar career are well remembered on this curio shop recording. And Bobby's commentary makes it all come to life.:~ Amazon Customer Comment

Bobby Darin - The Bobby Darin Story (1961)
(ca. 192 kbps, cover art included)