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THE MCGUIRE SISTERS
The Anthology (MCA)
Reviewed by DJ Johnson
No relation to Mark. The three McGuire Sisters basically picked up where the Andrews Sisters left off (after the Andrews Sisters had picked up where The Boswell Sisters left off and so on and so on). While the Andrews' helped get America through WWII with their patriotic songs and unique harmonies, The McGuires added their chirpy, happy voices to the relatively idyllic Eisenhower America of the 50s. This 2-CD, 50-song anthology follows them from their 1952 single on Coral Records, "Miss You," to the 1965 reunion album's "My Heart Cries For You." The McGuires were wonderful vocalists, and as stylists they were among the best of their era, but history has permanently placed them next to the Andrews Sisters for unfair comparison. They may have operated within the same niche, or perhaps the niche next door, but they came at it from totally different angles, the McGuires from pop (via an upbringing peppered with gospel singing) and the Andrews' from jazz and boogie woogie. Consequently, the Andrews Sisters' technique was much more complicated and, ultimately, more impressive. Can't fight that. But just as the Andrews' belong to their era, so do the McGuires. The music feels like grandma and grandpa's 50s: not the rock and roll that pissed them off, but the happy, harmless music that constantly reminded them that life was "perfect". Whether it was or wasn't isn't the issue here. That view did exist, and this was the soundtrack for those who believed it. As a series of snapshots of moments in that time, this is a nice little package. Warning: excessive smiling irritates people of the 90s. Wear protective gear.
Track List:
Disc One:
Miss You * Tell Us Where The Good Times Are * Goodnight Sweetheart Goodnight * Muskrat Ramble * Sincerely * No More * Melody Of Love * It May Sound Silly * Something's Gotta Give * Heart * Sweet Song Of India * He * S'wonderful * Mississippi Mud * Tip Toe Through The Tulips With Me * All By Myself * Do You Remember When * Ev'ry Day Of My Life * Weary Blues * Delilah Jones * Picnic * Goodnight My Love (Pleasant Dreams) * All I Do Is Dream Of You * Love Is Here To Stay * Tenderly
Disc Two:
Moonglow * Don't Take Your Love From Me * Around The World * Sugartime * Summer Dreams * Ding Dong * Volare * May You Always * Red River Valley * True Love * Always * Love And Marriage * The Blue Room * Makin' Whoopie * Just For Old Time's Sake * Wouldn't It Be Lovely * Teach Me Tonight * I Really Don't Want To Know * Bye Bye Blackbird * The Birth Of The Blues * You're Driving Me Crazy (What Did I Do?) * Old Devil Moon * I'm Just Taking My Time * Nevertheless (I'm In Love With You) * My Heart Cries For You
© 1999 - DJ Johnson