REASON SIX
Bobby Darin gave unforgettable, inspired performances of great songs. He was a man for all moods and a singer for all tastes. Pop, country, folk, R&B, gospel, international, and American standards—all were styles within Darin's range and ability to create knockout interpretations. The albums he recorded were filled with handpicked songs that never pandered to his audience; he preferred to bring his audience with him as he explored all the reaches of popular music. Every song was a fresh start. Here, for your enjoyment, are 18 jewels from the Darin crown—not a cubic zirconia in the bunch. Songs for many moods. Think of them as 18 yellow roses.
Actions Speak Louder Than Words—Early rock 'n roll Bobby singing out his frustrations to his girlfriend: "Why don't you hold me, really hold me?" Trademark grunts already in place. (From the album Bobby Darin, released July 1958.)
Caravan—Having leaped into jazz with his landmark That's All album, this song is from its companion album. Lusty Bobby sings: "You are so, so, so inviting; as I thrill, thrill to the magic charms of you." It has one of the great all time Darin endings—the jazz inflected "Caaaaaaaaravaaan." (From the album This is Darin which was released January 1960 and charted 50 weeks, peaking at #6.)
I Can't Give You Anything But Love—Got to have a live one! Bobby goes wooing, down and dirty style: "That's the only thing I've plenty of . . . baby." He was not kidding! Relaxed, he interacts with the audience, Bronx style. He is totally believable and you know where the line forms. (From the album Darin at the Copa which was released in July 1960 and charted for 38 weeks, peaking at #9.)
Ave Maria—Reverently and beautifully sung, Bobby's Latin is impeccable and astute enough to roll the R's. Heavenly! (From the album 25th Day of December which was released in October 1960.)
Dream Lover—Got to have a single! Got to have a Bobby-penned song! Got to have a demo rock ballad! Bobby yearns for a true love. "Until then, I'll go to sleep and dream again." Lovely! A tinkling piano spells the harmony. Lovely! (From the CD Aces Back to Back which was released in 2004; the 1959 single reached #2 and #4 on the Pop and R&B charts, respectively.)
Bob White—Got to have one he sang with Johnny Mercer! May I say CHEMISTRY? Equal partners in quickness and wit, the duo brings the song to an exuberant ending after which Darin offers one of his sardonic tag lines: "Aw, it's for the birds." Thank you for bringing them together, Mr. Blauner. (From the album Two of a Kind, released February 1961.)
You Must Have Been A Beautiful Baby—Bobby does the Twist! "Whoa, you know, you know, youknowyouknowyoumust . . ." Bobby flatters his way out of this terrific song with a long fadeout . . . "You must have been a beautiful baby, 'cause baby look at you now . . . oh, beautiful, whoa, beautiful . . . oh, beautiful . . ." ATCO fun updating a golden oldie. (From the album Twist With Bobby Darin which was released in December 1961 and charted for 31 weeks; the single was #5 on the Pop chart.)
What'd I Say—This song earned a well-deserved Grammy nomination for best R&B recording. From the first four bars, this tribute to Ray Charles is chockfull of fab-U-lous musicianship. Great drumming! The best cowbell playing I have ever heard (I am not kidding)! Set your watch to it! Masterful! "Come on, baby, see about me." Awesome! (From the album Bobby Darin Sings Ray Charles, released March 1962 and charted at #96; the single reached #24 on the Pop chart.)
I'll Be There—Got to have a B side! This love song was the other side of Bill Bailey. Recorded by Mama Cass, Elvis, and Gerry and the Pacemakers, Bobby sings it as the hauntingly beautiful ballad that it is. Brash Bobby and lyrical Bobby—All on one piece of wax. (From the album Things and Other Things which was released July 1962 and charted at #45; the single reached #79 on the Pop chart; the song Bill Bailey reached #19.)
Roses Of Picardy—Got to have one from his first Capitol album! It is a masterpiece. Nina did not get it, but I love, love, love it. "That's the rose that I ke-eeeeep (rising) locked up in my heart." That is DA BOMB! Genius orchestration. Fabulous singing by Bobby. What a pistol! Gets my vote as best big band/vocal album of all time. (From the album Oh! Look At Me Now which was released July 1962 and charted at #100.)
Not For Me—The B side of 18 Yellow Roses and another little known Darin-penned and sung masterpiece. This is all about alienation, tension, and mounting passion. ". . . you cry, but NOT FOR ME, NEVER FOR ME." Dramatic, slightly overstated, but that is not a problem. (From the album Eighteen Yellow Roses which was released July 1963 and charted at #98; the single reached #10 on Pop chart, #28 on R&B chart, and #3 on Adult Pop chart.)
Work Song—Another vocal masterpiece! BIG bass + BIG drums + Darin's voice = a powerful effect. Half-step modulations are a piece of cake for Bobby Darin and business as usual. This is folk-pop Bobby ahead of his time and underrated as usual. (From the album Earthy which was released July 1963.)
When Day Is Done—Yes, Virginia, Bobby Darin can sing a ballad equal to the best of them. I realize I have written this before, but some things bear repeating. Written in 1926, this is a gorgeous ballad sung beautifully by Darin. It is a change of pace from the upbeat to the melancholy. Darin sings in a hushed vocal. The edge in his voice is not used. The line "My lonely heart is sinking with the sun," is deeply affecting. Who is he thinking about here? (From the album Winners which was recorded in 1960, but not released until June 1964.)
Somewhere—If he is smart enough to sing a Bernstein tune, we have to be smart enough to recognize it. Where to begin to name its splendors? First of all, it is about loooooong held, open throat, in-complete-control-of-the-sound notes, deep notes, higher range notes, and gorgeous phrasing of a beautiful melody. It has beautifully-sung vowels. And it is about hopeless love. Darin the actor sings his heart out. (From the album Venice Blue which was released May 1965 and reached #132 on Pop chart).
Night
Song—Darin at his vocal peak,
from an essential album. Complete mastery of form and material. Dramatic.
Thrilling. Bobby asks, "Where do I belong?" I answer, "Everywhere,
Bobby everywhere." (From the album In
A Broadway Bag which was released May
1966.)
Long Line Rider—Got to have one obvious choice. This is a major piece of lyric writing, material composed by an artful songwriter that people of his day did not recognize as such. Truly their loss. The look in his eyes at the end of his singing the song (as performed on television) spoke volumes about his position on the need for social reform as does its message. A Darin folk-protest peak. (From the album Born Walden Robert Cassotto, released September 1968.)
Song For A Dollar—This is the B side of Me And Mr. Hohner. Bobby takes a tough, honest look at himself in the mirror and finds himself wanting. "How many suits can you wear, boy?" "Part of the plan, you flim-flam man, was get some fortune and fame." Not your typical song-and-dance man. (From the album Commitment, released July 1969; the single reached #123 on the Pop chart.)
This Nearly Was Mine—Got to have an unreleased track. Darin swinging a Rodgers & Hammerstein ballad? Got that right! One of a series of their songs Bobby recorded on January 10, 1963. My friend, Gisele, says this is an example of taking something up-tempo, but not losing any of the emotional intensity in the process. "This shoulda been, I know it coulda been, this neeeaaarrrrly was MINE!" I agree with her. (From the CD As Long As I'm Singing: rare'n'darin #1, released in 1986.)
A note about Bobby Darin's propensity to change his appearance: So what? He simply matched the look and the outfit to the songs he sang and, in sixties parlance, where he was at. How odd would it be to sing Work Song in a tux or About A Quarter To Nine in jeans? Then again, for this listener, Bobby could sing the phone book in a nightshirt and I would find the divine in Darin.
Please note that all references to charting refer to Billboard Charts.
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