The Bottom Line
- "Rum and Coca Cola"
- "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy"
- "Don't Sit Under The Apple Tree"
- "Somewhere Over The Rainbow"
- No Cole Porter
- No Glenn Miller
Description
- Twelve tracks, mostly from America's time in WWII, 1941-1945.
- Features liner notes written by Charles Osgood and Senator Bob Dole.
- Released on Curb Records, produced by Rod McBrien and Mike Curb.
Guide Review - Various Artists - Salute! The World War II Tribute Album
Unfortunately, with some exceptions, a number of these melodies fall flat with new arrangements. There are some highlights, including The Judds' swinging version of "Cow Cow Boogie," and the laid-back Johnny Kemp take on "Rum and Coca-Cola." Marie Osmond wows with "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy," and LeAnn Rimes does fine with "God Bless America" (although she's no Kate Smith).
I understand that Lee Greenwood made his name with a patriotic song, but to be painfully honest, the guy isn't much of a singer, and does not do well with the Frank Sinatra "Till the End of Time," and American Idol Kimberley Locke's odd rendition of the Judy Garland standard, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," is just plain scary. Overall, it may have been a stronger collection with more of the well-known songs (such as more Irving Berlin), or with less radical variation in the melodies. I can't see it appealing as a whole to a wide range of listeners, from fans of the originals to today's country-pop fans.
