Robert Mitchum -- the ACTOR -- yes, the actor, who appeared in many popular
films such as Cape Fear, took a shot at singing, and of course, where
many actors and actresses try to accomplish something else in the entertainment
field, it seems it doesn't attract the same following as their best-known job.
As a child, I had owned a 45 rpm record of his, "You Deserve Each Other
Baby" / "That Man Right There." Now, being that I truly enjoyed
both songs, Bear Family released a complete CD of Mitchum's recordings.
To be honest, when an actor or actress tries his/her hand in singing, it just
doesn't work.
(Please read the Lorne Greene review.)
Although most of his music on this compilation would be classified as
as Country, "Walker's Woods" has a Merle Haggard sound, and is not as
bad as many other songs. Speaking of bad, the jazzy "Wheels (It's Rollin'
Time Again)" and "In My Place" are not as entertaining. And as
some may arguably say the Burt Reynolds movies such as Cannoball Run
were bad, "Ballad Of Thunder Road" could easily fit the soundtrack
somewhere.
On a bright note, the countryish/Merle sounding "Little Ole Wine Drinker
Me" has good potential. "Ricardo's Mountain" is just ok, not a bad
song, not a good one either. The well-known song "Sunny" is here, and why
didn't Rhino Records' Golden Throats series pass this one up? OMG...
"Little White Lies" has a more Easy Listening style, yet his singing
definitely needed improvement. (It's like listening to Dean Martin having too
many drinks!) "Whippoorwill" has a more mellow Merle sound, yet the
singing is still bad. "Gotta Travel On" returns the countryish sound,
and again, not so good vocalization.
A good potential! "My Honey's Lovin' Arms" has the old 1950s sound,
and has Mitchum's deep voice in a very positive manner. "The Ballad Of
Thunder Road" (another version) has the early 1950s Easy Listening sound,
and is another good contender. His voice on both these songs are very good.
The rest of the album are Harry Belafonte-ish songs: "Jean And Dinah," "From
A Logical Point Of View," "Not Me," "What Is This Generation Coming To," "Tic
Tic Tic (The Lost Watch)," "Beauty Is Only Skin Deep," "I Learn A Merengue Mama,"
"Take Me Down To Lover's Row," "Mama Look A Boo Boo," "Coconut Water,"
"Matilda Matilda" and "They Dance All Night." Unfortunately, these
songs are just plain bad. However, "Jean And Dinah" has the most
potential.
The countryish songs are the "best" if given a choice, but this proves
that Robert Mitchum should have kept his regular job as an actor, rather than
attempt singing. Some songs do have potential, but still, Mitchum's prime
was acting, not singing.
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