Bobby Rydell Now & Then - The Lively Set Review

November 2000

Doug Furhmann reviews
Bobby Rydell's CD
'NOW AND THEN!'

Forty years ago, a skinny kid from South Philadelphia was busy turning vinyl into gold. As with most from the American Bandstand-set, his pompadoured profile and endless supply of colorful sweaters became a familiar trademark on record covers around the globe.
But Bobby Rydell was not your run-of-the-mill teen idol. Any fan can tell you, the only thing bigger than Rydell's hair and snowy white smile was - and is - his powerful voice. A voice which drew standing room only crowds to New York's famed Copacobana in 1961, and continued to pack them in for a sold-out three-week tour of Australia during the summer of 2000.

It's a voice which has improved and matured with age as demonstrated in Rydell's latest recorded effort, a CD aptly titled "Now and Then".

His first completely new album in over two decades, "Now and Then" offers a collection of 10 suave, smoky ballads and swinging standards complimented by full orchestration. In "Now and Then" Rydell adds his own fresh touch and wide vocal range to familiar tunes such as "Bewitched", "Cry Me a River", and an uptempo version of "A Fine Romance" which really moves.

Those who were busy "Yelling for Rydell" as teenagers will detect a few hints of nostalgia as well. "Now and Then" includes newly arranged renditions of Bobby's old Cameo album cuts, "You're the Greatest", and "Nice Work If You Can Get It". The latter has a Hammond organ sound reminiscent of his 1963 mega-hit "Wildwood Days".

While the first 10 tracks could certainly stand on their own merit, Rydell packs a bonus for his fans by faithfully rerecording "Wildwood Days", and nine other of his greatest singles, as the second portion of the CD.

Through no fault of his own, Rydell's original recordings, and the entire Cameo-Parkway catalog of songs, have been mysteriously withheld from release for a number of years. Despite outcries from millions of fans, music critics, journalists - and even the original artists themselves - Abkco Records in New York City, owner of the catalog, has made no apparent reissue attempts to date.

Rydell helps ease the pain by recreating those long-lost gems in "Now and Then". For the many who have seen him perform live in recent years, a listen to these digitally recorded tracks will be just like seeing Rydell sing his hits on stage again.

Simply put, "Now and Then" is 63 minutes of pure listening joy!

Online availability:
Bobby Rydell Fan Club, Amazon and other CD outlets

- TRACK LIST -

* Close Your Eyes
* Nice Work If You Can Get It
* Bewitched
* A Day In The Life Of A Fool
* A Fine Romance
* The Song Is For You
* Cry Me A River
* Here's That Rainy Day
* That's All
* All I Want Is You
* I'll Never Dance Again
* Volare
* Forget Him
* We Got Love
* Wildwood Days
* The Cha Cha Cha
* Swingin' School
* Kissin' Time
* Wild One

Reviews cover page

or use the links below to navigate the site