We admit we're unabashed Hi-Lo's devotees, and the love fest continues with this latest re-issue, comprising 1957's "Now Hear This" and 1960's "Broadway Playbill." What's exceptional about this collection - aside from the performances themselves, of course - is that 18 of the 25 tracks aren't presently available anywhere else. For example, the Hi-lo's arrangements of "My Favorite Things" and "Climb Ev'ry Mountain," from the "Sound Of Music" had been only a memory until now! Yes, they're accompanied (with orchestrations by Frank Comstock and Warren Barker), but the vocals are so prominent that there's no doubt who's in charge here. The many moods of Gene Puerling's often-imitated style run the gamut from sheer joy ("Sunnyside Up") to the purest expression of longing ("There's No You'). The Hi-Lo's capture the essence of emotion that is music. |
