THE ANDREWS SISTERS
20th Century Masters (MCA)
Reviewed by DJ Johnson

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The wonderful sound of the Andrews Sisters' three-part harmony is synonymous with the positive memories of the World War Two years. Sounds funny when you say it that way, but despite the horrors of war, there was a lot of optimism and patriotism, and certain artists will forever provide the soundtrack for the period, the Andrews Sisters perhaps more than any others.

LaVerne, Patty and Maxene had a long string of hits beginning in 1937, when the nation needed optimism to help them through the great depression, and ending in 1950. This entry in the 20th Century Masters series collects a cool dozen of their Decca Records hits. The sound is extremely clean and crisp yet never loses the bottom end, so you can definitely hear and appreciate the great orchestras they sang with, including Jimmy Dorsey's and Gordon Jenkins', and gain a new appreciation for the work of arranger Vic Shoen, as well.

Only one of their equally long string of hits with Bing Crosby is included ("Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive"), and that's just fine, because while those were great for what they were, that should be for another collection. This is about a particular trio that together created a sound that defined a particularly important time in American history.

Track List:

Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen * Hold Tight (Want Some Sea Food) * Beat Me Daddy, Eight To The Bar * I'll Be With You In Apple Blossom Time * Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy * Don't Sit Under The Apple Tree (With Anyone Else But Me) * Shoo-Shoo Baby * Rum & Coca-Cola * Near You * I Wanna Be Loved * Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive * I Can Dream, Can't I?

© 2000 - DJ Johnson