We have a lot of Doris Day experts among our customers, and when they brought to our attention that these two Columbia albums had never been out on CD in this country (and never out as single albums at all), that was all w... more »e needed to go a-licensing! But it wasn t just the fact that these records had been hitherto unavailable that spurred us into action; these 1964 and 1962 albums display Doris awesome versatility, as she swings from children-oriented to inspirational material without a catch in her voice. And it s on this nakedly emotional material that her voice and style really shines; Doris had the unique ability to make every song an intimate occasion for the listener. Moving, uplifting, and (on the kids stuff) fun!« less
We have a lot of Doris Day experts among our customers, and when they brought to our attention that these two Columbia albums had never been out on CD in this country (and never out as single albums at all), that was all we needed to go a-licensing! But it wasn t just the fact that these records had been hitherto unavailable that spurred us into action; these 1964 and 1962 albums display Doris awesome versatility, as she swings from children-oriented to inspirational material without a catch in her voice. And it s on this nakedly emotional material that her voice and style really shines; Doris had the unique ability to make every song an intimate occasion for the listener. Moving, uplifting, and (on the kids stuff) fun!
CD Reviews
She's one of the best!
Richard B. Green | 11/13/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This music has been available as part of an eight-CD set of music recorded by Doris Day in the l960's, which is my favorite Doris Day. This lady is one of the pre-eminent voices of the 20th century, a woman who has such a way with a song, a woman with great respect for the songwriter and the voice she was God-given to interpret the music she lent her voice to. My favorite of the two albums featured here is "With A Smile and a Song." Although some are songs written for, say, a Disney movie, they are also songs that we adults of a certain age grew up with and which retain their appeal all of these years later. If you don't have the 8-CD set, I recommend, as it also contains her recording (with Robert Goulet) of the score of "Annie Get Your Gun" and the soundtrack from "Jumbo," which movie I loved when I saw it, featuring wonderful Doris Day performances. And, if you don't have the Doris Day Christmas album, the original with twelve wonderful songs of Christmas, it too will soon be available in new format for the holidays. It's one of several holiday albums I would rank as among the most satisfying for holiday listening."
A wonderful day for Day addicts
jon sieruga | Redlands, CA USA | 07/20/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Compiled to capitalize on her then-current film "Lover Come Back", 'Wonderful Day' was an Imperial Butter give-away never intended to last more than a few months in shoppers' minds, but at long last it's available on CD(coupled with the corny, but sweetly inspiring 'With a Smile & A Song'). Doris is featured in some of her finest movie-music moments on "Never Look Back", "Possess Me" and "Should I Surrender", not to mention her smash hit "Que Sera, Sera". It's an album that was only available in thrift stores, old record shops and antique barns for years. It's wonderful to have it on disc!"
For Any Age
jon sieruga | 10/09/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Ok, this is the proof that I do indeed listen to all the genres. Frankly, I'm a punk rock girl and a real music snob. I should be the last person ever to praise Doris Day. Yet, that is what I'm here to do. As a child, I spent days listening to my Grandama's vinyl. Wonderful Day by Doris remains one of my favorites. The older I get the more I see just how great she is and what an incredible voice she has. Fun, passionate, romantic and a little rebellious, Doris is a singer for all ages."
Delightful Day twofer
Byron Kolln | the corner where Broadway meets Hollywood | 05/23/2010
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is one of the more mis-matched Doris Day album twofers, but her fans aren't likely to complain. Featuring her 'greatest hits' compilation album WONDERFUL DAY, plus the children's sing-along title WITH A SMILE AND A SONG, lovers of Day's music will find plenty to sing about in this collection.
WONDERFUL DAY was, for many years, one of the most collectible Doris Day albums. Issued exclusively in 1961 as a promotion for--of all things--Imperial Margerine, WONDERFUL DAY collected many of Day's rarer and unissued recordings, including her 1952 single version of "It's Magic" and the theme to "Julie". Day's film songs (especially those from "Lover Come Back", released around the same period) make up the bulk of the songlist for WONDERFUL DAY, including "Possess Me", "Should I Surrender?", "Lover Come Back" and "Teacher's Pet".
1964's WITH A SMILE AND A SONG gave Doris the chance to do an album of songs geared to the kiddie sing-along market. Day always loved working with children in her movies, so this album was a nice fit for her personality. Accompanied by Jimmy Joyce's children's chorus, Day brings alive such great songs as "Give a Little Whistle", "Getting to Know You" and "High Hopes". The best number is arguably the haunting, wistful "Inchworm".
Two classic Day albums for a great price."
Eternal Day!
Robert Mcdonald | West Hollywood, CA United States | 03/13/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It's difficult to be objective about music that has been part of you for 30 years. I tracked down these Lp's when already out of print, and for the most part loved them, as I have all of Doris's vocal output. The inspirational/hymn filled YOU'LL NEVER WALK ALONE has creative small ensemble orchestral arrangements done by her long term pianist and a hand full of hymns with just an organ, which are my least favorites only because to my ear (and only my own opinion) sound funerial. Doris' vocals always sound like they are straight from her heart; direct and honest and perfectly phrased. WITH A SMILE AND A SONG is a sheer delight. Another wonderful "concept" album (and Doris was doing them long before anyone else) with her vocals sounding burnished and magical and with arrangements that no one seems to know how to do anymore. These tracks have been available on the incredible Bear's Family label Box sets, and from England. This domestic issue is a class A production, and the sound is terrific. Photo's seem to be alternate shots from sessions for the YOU'LL NEVER WALK ALONE cover. Only wish in the booklet here is that the Lp covers would have been reproduced as full size as they have on some of the other 2'fers, instead of the smaller inlays on the front. But again, that's a pretty minor comment over the excellence of this reissue."
Track Listings (25) - Disc #1