Continuing their tradition of themed compilations, featuring a CD of songs based around a topic, Bear Family Records has followed up last year’s Another Banana Split Please with a collection entitled Good Old Summertime.

Gladly received at the time of publication, this compilation brings the sunshine from track one, and while the sun shines outside seems the best time to appreciate this.

With tracks covering most of the 1950s and early 60s, there is a pleasing mix of doo-wop, rock’n’roll, smooth soul, R&B and crooners here.

There are familiar names aplenty, including Dean Martin, The Andrews Sisters, Debbie Reynolds and Jerry Lee Lewis.

Extras

As we have come to expect from Bear Family Records, the accompanying booklet is impressive. With details on each artist and their track on the compilation, along with photos and theme-appropriate images, there are 23 glossy pages to devour.

Tracklisting:

Evelyn Knight & The Stardusters – Powder Your Face With Sunshine
Derrell Felts – It’s A Great Big Day
Toni Dee – June, July And August
Gene & Billy – It’s Hot
Pee Wee Crayton – Rockin’ The Blues
The Dovells – Summer Job
The Del Vikings – The Sun
Gerald Sims – Cool Breeze
Now That Summer Is Here
Joe Jones – California Sun
The Charades – Surf N’ Stomp
The Pyramids – Bikini Drag
Annette Funicello – Bikini Beach Party
Andrea Carroll – Please Don’t Talk To The Lifeguard
The Andrews Sisters – Her Bathing Suit Never Got Wet
Dick Glasser (A.K.A Dick Lory) – Jeannie’s Bikini
Edmundo Ros & His Orchestra – Summertime
Debbie Reynolds – Summer Romance
Jimmy Daley & The Ding-A-Lings (Kip Tyler) Summer Love
Richard Barrett & The Chantels – Summer Love
The Sh-Booms – Short Skirts
The Shades Feat. The Knott Sisters – Sun Glasses
Jerry Lee Lewis – Milkshake Mademoiselle
Don Carroll – Seven Up And Ice Cream Soda
Lorrae Desmond – Soda Pop Hop
Jan Raye Quartet Feat. Lilyann – Soda Pop
Donny Baker With The Dimensionals – Drinkin’ Pop-Sodee Odee (Pop Pop)
Dean Martin – In The Cool, Cool, Cool Of The Evening
The Four Mints – Night Air
Mel Torme – Midnight Cocktail
Joey Welz & His Rock-A-Billy Piano – Shore Party
King Curtis & The Noble Knights – Beach Party
The Kirby Stone Four – In The Good Old Summertime

Conclusion

The addition of a couple of instrumental numbers to break up the consistent flavour of this compilation is welcome. Although after 33 tracks the sun theme feels a little tired, the feeling of cohesion style-wise does overcome this issue.

The sound quality on Good Old Summertime is as clear as Bear Family‘s usual high standard. A couple of tracks sound a little muffled and muddy, but the limitations of the original production techniques cannot always be overcome.

Overall, this compilation feels the strongest of Bear Family Records’ three summer-themed collections; the most consistent in terms of style and mood. A balmy treat that will bring summer indoors come rain or shine.

Good Old Summertime is available from Bear Family Records.