Rock Swings
Verve - Verve
Paul Anka
Release date: 2005-06-07
Audio CD
Adult Contemporary, Pop, Pop Vocals, Vocal, Vocal Jazz, Vocal Pop, Vocals
1. It's My Life - Paul Anka, BonJovi, Jon
2. True - Paul Anka, Kemp, Gary
3. Eye of the Tiger - Paul Anka, Peterik, Jim
4. Everybody Hurts - Paul Anka, Stipe, Michael
5. Wonderwall - Paul Anka, Gallagher, Noel
6. Black Hole Sun - Paul Anka, Cornell, Chris
7. It's a Sin - Paul Anka, Tennant, Neil
8. Jump - Paul Anka, Roth, David Lee
9. Smells Like Teen Spirit - Paul Anka, Cobain, Kurt
10. Hello - Paul Anka, Richie, Lionel
11. Eyes Without a Face - Paul Anka, Idol, Billy
12. Lovecats - Paul Anka, Smith, Robert [Cure
13. The Way You Make Me Feel - Paul Anka, Jackson, Michael [1
14. Tears in Heaven - Paul Anka, Clapton, Eric
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Rock Swings
Date undefinedRock Swings is the first of two albums by Paul Anka. The man who famously penned "My Way" covers some contempory songs "his way" in a swing/big band manner. If your a lover of differing cover versions of songs you love, then is is one for the eclectic collection. Do check out the second album Classic Songs: My Way and enjoy.
Rock Swings
Date undefinedI give this album three stars. Actually, if I could break it down into categories, the scoring would be different. For example, I'd give it a full five stars for arrangements. The three arrangers credited (none of whose names is familiar to me) did an absolutely fantastic job. The songs sound marvelous. Second, for vocal performance, I'd give Paul Anka four stars. (He sounds a little tired and lethargic on some tracks.) Finally, for material...two stars, maybe. I'm not a child of the 80s (unless perhaps the 1880s). To me, with one or two exceptions, these are thoroughly mediocre, unmemorable songs that weren't worth the talent and imagination that the arrangers put into them. They meander, they have false rhymes (like "sound" with "town," which is just plain bad lyric writing), they don't have focus. But I'm told they were all big hits in the 80s, so what do I know?
Rock Swings
Date undefinedWow! I haven't heard a more sophisticated arrangement of new and old songs in a long time. Rod Stewart be worried -- very worried!
One of the things that surprises me is the reaction from much younger listeners on this website who think that some "old" guy can't sing new songs. You say that you want the originals. Well, from this "old" gal, when I hear a re-make of an "old" song written from my generation and sung by somebody from your generation, you know, I have to feel the same way! I ask "What's wrong with the original?" It just shows, surprise!!!, that we both feel the same way.
This being said, I simply love the way Paul sings "It's My Life" for my generation. Yikes! Let's face it. No matter who sings it, it's a fantastic song. Bon Jovi has written a great song. So if you don't like it, get over it!
"Eyes Without A Face" has beautiful lyrics thanks to Billy Idol. Because Paul Anka took the chance to record this song, we "oldies" can enjoy it too! It's sublime!
"True" is a soulful song and I like Paul Anka's interpretation because I can relate and enjoy it. This being said, over the years Spandau Ballet has definitely had my respect as being musically gifted.
Now let's face it, I NEVER would have heard "Wonderwall" without this album. And I love it! Noel Gallagher's (Oasis) lyrics are awesome no matter what your age is! The same is true for "Black Hole Sun". What a masterpiece written by Chris Cornell!
I find "It's A Sin" a very introspective song. Thank you, Pet Shop Boys (who are fantastic). It's gorgeous!
Yes, us "old" people can enjoy the younger generation's songwriters too, just as you of the younger set enjoy some of ours. And surprise...there are some remakes of our old songs that you are soooo unaware of being from the 50's, 60's and 70's! But, hey, that's ok, so what? It's great to share!
In my younger days when somebody from my generation wrote a song that Sinatra, Andy Williams, Carmen McRae, or Ella Fitzgerald recorded, we appreciated the "greats" paying tribute and recognizing the talent of our youth. For me, Paul Anka has worked hard on bringing these songs to my generation and with arrangements for people like me. I love the jazzy orchestral arrangements and his vocals are perfection.
Paul Anka, don't stop! And for those Paul Anka fans out there, this one is a keeper! If you don't have this in your collection, I highly recommend it! Enjoy something new from somebody who has seasoned talent!!!
