Search - Various Artists :: Billboard Top Pop Hits: 1961

Fine look back at the pop music of 1961...

Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 02/09/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Billboard Top Pop Hits: 1961 gives us ten great pop hits that made the airwaves hot in 1961. The sound quality is excellent and I like the artwork. We also get a very good diversity of artists with even a few harder to find quality tunes thrown in for good value on this budget priced album.



The Shirelles start off the track set with their awesome hit entitled "Dedicated To The One I Love." They sing this passionately and they handle the tempo and key changes effortlessly. The Shirelles were always a fine girl group; and "Dedicated To The One I Love" surely proves this.



Dick & DeeDee also perform their "The Mountain's High." The drums are great and Dick and DeeDee sing this very well. I always like this number whenever I hear it and I predict that you'll enjoy this one, too. There's also Jorgen Ingmann & His Guitar on "Apache." The electric guitar is excellent and the melody has a few special effects that really help it shine. "Apache" is a beautiful number that hooks your attention and never lets it go--the arrangement is THAT good.



Brook Benton, always a favorite of mine, sings "The Boll Weevil Song." "The Boll Weevil Song" features Brook's vocals squarely in the spotlight with some great female backup singers; and the melody is quite catchy. Great!



Linda Scott shines on "I've Told Every Little Star." Linda's soprano voice comes across clear as a bell and she never misses a note. Linda sings this with a fresh type of innocence that is captivating and adorable both at the same time. "I've Told Every Little Star" is an excellent number. Bobby Vee also scores big with "Run To Him." "Run To Him" pulls at my heartstrings and Bobby delivers this with great sensitivity. The album ends strong with the theme from Exodus performed by Ferrante & Teicher on their pianos with orchestral accompaniment. "Exodus" makes a particularly strong ending for this album; and it remains a classic pop hit to this day.



If you want some really great music from the early `60s, you must seriously consider buying this album. It's excellent; and it covers the pop music of 1961 rather well. I highly recommend it.

"

Heed a Reviewer Who KNOWS

Eclectic Revisited | Arizona | 02/16/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Even if you write a gazillion reviews but are ignorant of the facts, you should not be "listened to". The songs in this package are all hits (except apparently in the glacier-covered climes of Duluth). If you know the upper crust "Exodus" (from the movie of the same name), you should also know "I've Told Every Little Star" written by no less than the esteemed composers Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II. It WAS a hit. Dick and DeeDee who had other early 60s hits scored with "The Mountain's High". Trust me. "Apache" evoked a special feeling when it played on the radio in 1961. Joe Dowell scored high with "Wooden Heart", a cover from the album "G.I. Blues" (as well as with "Little Red Rented Rowboat"). "Michael (Row The Boat Ashore)" was a hit for the Highwaymen (not Willie, Johnny, Kris and Waylon though; that was later). "Run to Him" was one of many hits by Buddy Holly-wannabe Bobby Vee. "Moody River", one of Pat Boone's best, was a summer hit that year (though oldies stations seem reluctant to play any of his songs) and was used in "The Last Boy Scout" movie. All too brief, it's still worth the dough. And they are authentic hits (except in Duluth)."

Tough to Find Hits

Eclectic Revisited | 06/30/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"All original versions of classic pop hits from 1961. Check out the variety of styles on this CD."