Search - Various Artists :: Billboard Top Pop Hits: 1962

1962 - All About Our Music

John M. Downs, Sr. | Chesapeake, Virginia United States | 08/22/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I think those who are critical of the music of this era should lighten up a bit. This album particularly demonstrates the incredible diversity of the musical palate. Sue Thompson's "Norman" is a really hummable, polka-type, toe tapping song. Kenny Ball's "Midnight in Moscow" has a distinctive dixieland flair yet sonehow manages to invoke images of Moscow indeed. While I certainly am a big Connie Francis fan, her entry in this collection is argueably somewhat mediocre. The innovative foot stomping beginning to "Sherry" by the Four Seasons compliments the falsetto voice of Frankie Vali. I think those of us who grew up in the 60's were really spoiled by the incredible mix of our popular music. Sure, it's not Gershwin but then again at least it's not Snoop Doggy Dog."

Those times were not so bad . . .

Pandafish | Evanston, IL United States | 04/30/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I was thirteen 1962, and I remember all these songs perfectly. Back then American Bandstand was on every day after school and to a 13-year-old it was all just soooooo cool--and, most interesting by today's standards, a lot of the kids on the show could actually dance. I mean, DANCE, not just gyrate. Chris Montez--"Let's Dance" was the only decent thing he ever did, and it was terrific. "Sherry" changed me from a passionate falsetto-loather to a huge fan, at least of Frankie Valli's. As the instrumental selections show, in those days you could actually have a hit without a single lyric--and, given the quality of lyrics throughout pop history, this isn't necessarily a bad thing. "Midnight in Moscow," by the way, is the tune of "Moscow Nights," a wistful love song so universally popular and emblematic to Russians that the two opening lines used to be used on Radio Moscow to mark the time--the first line for the hour, the second for the half-hour. Sure, we were ready for the Brit invasion, and what a great thing it was. But don't discount the good things that were done. This is a good collection."

Mighty fine tunes showing what we really listened to...

Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 02/03/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Billboard Top Pop Hits: 1962 is another hot installment in this multi CD series with some mighty fine pop music tunes from 1962. I love the songs they chose for this album and the sound quality is as good as ever!



Chris Montez starts things off with his cute and rockin' number "Let's Dance." This number has an awesome beat marked by what sounds like a harpsichord or some kind of keyboard; and Chris sounds strong and full of energy! Awesome! Gene Pitney follows with his huge hit "Only Love Can Break A Heart;" this classic tune resonates well even in our times and it never fails to tug at my heartstrings. Gene sings this with all his heart and soul and it moves me every time. The musical arrangement shines every bit as good as Gene does but it keeps Gene's vocals in the spotlight where they belong.



The 4 Seasons perform "Sherry" with a lot of energy and this tune rocks well for a 1962 rock and roll song. "Sherry" uses percussion, drums and more to make a strong musical arrangement, too. Bobby Vinton's "Roses Are Red (My Love)" is another highlight of this album. Bobby sings this so well it also moves me with its beauty. The key modulations between major and minor work very well and Bobby seamlessly works his way through the lyrics as only a pro like Bobby ever could!



Connie Francis does her usual best on "Don't Break The Heart That Loves You;" and listen for Dion to perform his "Lovers That Wander." "Lovers That Wander" rocks well with a twist of doo wop that was so popular just a scant few years earlier. Dion never misses a bat--and he never sings a superfluous note, either!



The album ends great with David Rose & His Orchestra doing their fine number entitled "The Stripper." "The Stripper" uses brass, drums, strings and more to make this a memorable number that still sounds romantic and $eductive all these years later.



Overall, any fan of pop hits from the early 1960s cannot afford to go without this album. I highly recommend it.

"