Let Me Sing And I'm Happy - 4 Original Albums Plus Bonus Singles ORIGINAL RECORDINGS REMASTERED SET

Track layout CD1:1-12 I Love You So Many Ways - 196013-24 The Boll Weevil song 196124-30 Bonus Tracks.Track layout CD2:1-12 There Goes That Song Again 196213-24 Lie To Me - Brook Benton Singing The Blues 196225-29 Bonus TracksThe album, "I Love You So Many Ways" was recorded with Brook Benton on one side together with some of the instrumentation, a mostly empty center and instrumentation on the other side. Given the date of this album, I'd have expected a more modern approach with Brook in the center and the instrumentation behind and on both channels as well as in the center. However, the producers of the cCD can hardly be expected to attempt to rectify decisions made when the original masters were made. That would be the same as downgrading a Glen Miller album for being monaural even though stereo hadn't been invented when he made the recordings.The first track on the album "The Boll Weevil song", the title tune, was also recorded with Brook Benton off to one side. However, the rest of the album put him in the center where we have become used to hearing the lead vocalist."There Goes That Song Again" was another album recorded with Brook Benton off to one side. Since "The Boll Weevil song", which was released a year earlier had Brook in the center, it is difficult to understand the arrangement of this album. The only thing that comes to mind is that these albums were recorded in a sequence other than indicated by their release dates."Lie To Me," like "The Boll Weevil song" has Brook Benton in the center. While Discog has this album listed as "Soul", I have to disagree. It does swing more than the other albums, but I'd call it soft rock or perhaps rock-n-roll rather than soul. It simply isn't as hard hitting as anything I'd call either soul or Rhythm &Blues.I agree with their calling the other three albums Jazz - Easy Listening. The contents are much like what one would expect from a Nat King Cole album.The sound quality of these albums is quite good, especially if you give some leeway for their age. The recording techniques were somewhat non standard, but that may be due to the recording studio not having the latest multichannel and mixing equipment that larger studios had.Despite some issues with the decisions made by the recording studio, I'd have to give the CD five stars. The sound quality is quite good; no background noise or obvious distortions. If we want older music, we are forced to live with what the recording studios of the time did. Second guessing accomplishes nothing. I'd also add that trying to "remaster" older music to suit modern tastes are apt to do a lot of damage to the original sound.

During the 50's and 60's in the glory days of the 33&1/3 rpm albums, the typical length of each side of an LP [long playing] record was 20 minutes. Maybe 18 minutes for a STEREO record. Every now and then an ambitious record company would put 22 or 23 minutes on each side thus giving the record buyer 2 or 3 extra songs on that album but compromising the audio quality a little bit. This cd set sounds like such an album. All of the songs included here sound as they are made from original master reels from the vaults of Mercury but compressed to allow for more songs. This cd set is virtually 5 record albums long, 59 tracks and STEREO to boot. I understand that Mercury in those days recorded with a 3 track recorder where they would pan the rhythm section on one side and the horns &/or strings on the other along with the vocal. Well these are the early days of stereo so the listener must bear with the audio separation, nevertheless, the music is glorious. There are many arrangements by Quincy Jones. This is the second CD set by Brook Benton on the Jasmine label and the first Brook Benton Jasmine purchase for me. After hearing this set, I will absolutely be buying the first volume. This music is timeless.

These albums, especially the boll weevil collection brings back fonder memories of childhood. This collection was a favorite of my dad’s and we used to listen to it all the time

This is a lot of good music for the price. In my opinion, Mr. Benton sings just as well as Nat King Cole, so receiving the CD was a real treat for me.

Brook Benton was very underrated. He deserved a lot more credit. These are great albums for being almost a decade before he made it big. Smooth!

Smoothness personified...good listening

I have not purchased this set. Brook Benton had one of the smoothes voices in the industry, one of my all time favorites.Unfortunately, many of the CDs that have been released of his recordings are NOT the original tracks. Many are from 'alternate' takes while others are horribly remixed.To make matters worse, after he left Mercury, where he recorded most of his hits, he re-recorded them for other labels. True, the voice is great, but many of the CDs are not of the original Mercury recordings.I listened to some of the sound samples for this set, and I don't think some of these are the originals. Maybe it's the way they were "remastered" ( a word I do not like), but I think I'll stick to the LPs.One final note, if you are new to the talents of Brook Benton, this will not disappoint.

Sounds are terrible

Again this cd came as a surprise as some of the songs I never knew he’d sang so be prepared for a surprise when you hear them. Why this artist hasn’t made it into the rock and roll hall of fame is beyond me but whether you’re like me a lifelong fan of brook benton or a newcomer you’ll find something for everyone on this cd set

I've always been a big fan of Mr Benton but had always failed to find a cd with my favourite Brook track "Honey Babe" on it - NOW I'VE FOUND IT!!!Not only have I found that track, I've got nearly 60 others to enjoy. Nat King Cole had a superb velvet voice but this guy is far better. If I could give this cd a 1 Million Star rating it wouldn't be enough, it's sensational but don't take my word for it, as Badfinger once said - "If You Want It Here It Is, Come And Get It". Worth £8 of anyone's money.

This is as good as you can get call it soul blues jazz or R&B this is it

What can you say about a genies so we'll know so brilliant at his job ,yeah good for me and everyone else

can't get better than this.!!!!!!!!!