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Review listing includes (date placed on website):
Readers should first contact the addresses below before making any purchases to verify correct address. I will not be responsible for unannounced changes or discontinued items.
It would also help me (and others) a lot to notify me of any errors.
Michael Wright
Website Editor
Date of review and market availability: Some of these CDs and the sources listed on the following parts may no longer be available. Some have closed since the review was posted (note the date). Rather than trying to track market availability, many listings are left in place for references.
Bear Family Records at http://www.bear-family.de (Excellent CD packages of Connie Francis music)
Note: I.D. International Disc has recently closed down. I'm working on finding alternate sources for many of the Connie Francis CDs they offered. website editor
Some previous websites of I.D. International Disc included http://www.ImportMusic.com/titles/conniefr.htm listing many of the Connie Francis CDs, tapes, and videos.
Here is a nice CD listing database from http://www.cddb.com which has quite a lot of Connie's CDs in it (they only list 69 CDs, there are more than 220) but it's a start. Take a look at this list (click here).
Rockhouse Records at http://www.musicmailexpress.com.
To locate the index for Connie Francis, use their "search artist" feature, but type in last name first, i.e., Francis Connie.
FootLight Records
113 East 12th Street
New York, New York 10003
Phone: 212-533-1572
http://www.footlight.com
FootLight Records Hours: 11AM-7PM Monday to Friday
10AM-6PM Saturday
12PM-5PM Sunday
Rhino Records
http://www.rhino.com
1-800-432-0020
In Your Ear Music
http://www.in-your-ear.com
(800) 660-3981
Music Boulevard
http://www.musicblvd.com
1-800-99MUSIC or (610) 293-4793
Music Boulevard Discography on Connie Francis
This CD, On Guard is a very important CD. The art work is nothing to get worked up about but the songs this release contain are! The tracks are all culled from the government sponsored National Guard radio sessions. In addition, all of the 'hits' contained on this CD are live versions.
Song List:
Infatuation, I Wish You Love, String Of Pearls, Lover Come Back To Me, Stupid Cupid, Lipstick On My Collar, Stompin', Who's Sorry Now, Yes Indeed, The Next Best Thing To Love, Swinging The Guard, Among My Souvenirs, It's A Grand Night For Singing, God Bless America, Hallelujah, I Have Dreamed, Mississippi Mud, You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Loves You, Lipstick On Your Collar, Gotta Be On My Way, On The Alamo, My Happiness, Monday Date, Rose Of The Rio Grande, Among My Souvenirs, Grandpa's Spells
Review
Here we have a CD that has songs of Connie's preferences (and some say her best strength in music). The liner notes by Paul Pelletier say, "She is typically regarded today as a rock 'n' roller." "Her contribution as a singer of songs from the wider spectrum of popular music should never be overlooked."
Some of the songs are instrumental (no vocals) but it is a fantastic job of releasing wonderful songs from the archives. And for those who enjoy big band and classic jazz music, then you need this CD.
Editors Note: a Connie fan sent this message:
Did you get the new CD, ON GUARD? It is FANTASTIC!!! The acoustics are astounding, considering all the tracks were recorded live 38 years ago. Four of them, I Wish You Love, Lover Come Back, I Have Dreamed and It's A Grand Night For Singing have (to my knowledge) never been released before. The hits, all with completely different orchestration, and vocal delivery are exciting to hear.
Available from:
Most stores in England, and,
FootLight Records
113 East 12th Street
New York, New York 10003
Phone: 212-533-1572
http://www.footlight.com
Music Boulevard
http://www.musicblvd.com
1-800-99MUSIC or (610) 293-4793
Album info from Music Boulevard
In Your Ear Music
http://www.in-your-ear.com
(800) 660-3981
Album info from In Your Ear Music
Song List: Where The Boys Are, Turn On The Sunshine, Follow The Boys, Tonight's The Night, Waiting For Billy, Italian Lullaby, Looking For Love, When The Clock Strikes Midnight, Whoever You Are, I Love You, Let's Have A Party, Be My Love, I Can't Believe That You're In Love With Me, This Is My Happiest Moment, When The Boys Meet The Girls, Mail Call, Embraceable You, I Got Rhythm, But Not For Me, Do You Love Me
Note: Some of these songs are in different versions
This is a new CD on the market that deserves special mention. The 24 tracks comprise all of the songs from Miss Francis' four movies, including un-released tracks and four demos with piano backing only. It is a treasure! There is also a 24 page booklet included with many, many photographs and excellent notes on the movies. These notes give some background for each movie, and a song list includes the names of the writers, instrument players, arrangers, when and where the sound track was recorded. Rhino has done a first class job re-mastering these songs. Tunes can be easily heard from this CD that are difficult to hear from the LPs previously released. On the demo tracks, Connie sings with only one instrument, a piano, which makes this a nice addition to anyone's Connie Francis collection. Whats more is that you can hear different styles Connie can sing on this single CD. For example, she sings "Looking For Love" in three different versions: rock-n-roll, jazz, and big band.
Editors Note: a Connie fan sent this message:
"When I played it I loved it. Hearing all the songs from her movies - songs I had not heard for a real long time. What fun I had. I played it while I was writing bills and didn't mind paying them for the first time."
This is available at most record and CD stores.
Rhino Records
http://www.rhino.com
1-800-432-0020
Album info from Rhino Records
Album info from Music Boulevard with sound samples!
In Your Ear Music
http://www.in-your-ear.com
(800) 660-3981
Album info from In Your Ear Music
This CD is the first official Polygram released compilation of Connie's Italian songs. Previous released Italian CDs have been bootlegs and were not transferred from the original master tapes. This custom compilation CD was released exclusively for and limited to members of the Connie Francis Fan Club in 1995. However, FootLight Records list a CD with the same title at their website. They may have it available in December 1997.
FootLight Records
113 East 12th Street
New York, New York 10003
Phone: 212-533-1572
http://www.footlight.com
For a very interesting discussion of this CD, see Italian Heritage in the Connie Francis Forum Part 2.
Song List:
Il Mio Amore E Cosi, Terra Straniera, La Violetera, Mala Femmena, Nessuno Al Mondo, Comm'e Bella A Stagione, Chella Lla, Santa Lucia, La Paloma (Pure Italian), Per Sola Notte, Io Sola Andro (Un-released version), Passione, 'Na Voce, Na Chitarra, E'O Poco 'E Luna, Scalinatella, Piscatore E Pusilleco, I'Te Vurria Vasa, Statte Vicino A 'Mme, Chitarra Romana, Senza Mamma E Nnaumarata, Dammi Le Mano E Corri (Pure Italian), Un Bacio All'ltaliana (Pure Italian), Portami Con Te (Pure Italian), Nessuno E'Solo (Pure Italian), Un Violino Nel Mio Cuore (Pure Italian), Luna Caprese (Pure Italian), Forget Domani (All Italian version), Capatosta Sweet (Pure Italian).
Song List:
Heartbeat, Maybe Baby, That'll Be the Day, It Doesn't Matter Anymore, Diddley Medley, It's So Easy, Love is Strange, Oh Boy, Medley (of Buddy songs), Peggy Sue, Raining In My Heart, Medley (of Buddy songs), Early In the Morning, Rave On.
This is a brand new recording (no repeats or fabrications). You can quote that with 100% confidence.
Review by Bob Breide:
Editors note: Bob did not have this CD when he wrote this review. He only heard a few of them on an audio channel while flying British Air from London to Pittsburgh (on a program "David Frost Interviews Connie Francis").
I remember Connie explaining her tribute to Buddy Holly recordings to Frost. And I'm thinking to myself, I don't know about this, I like Connie Francis' music, but Connie singing That'll Be the Day? So I'm listening to the interview and David says something like "Well Connie, let's listen to one of your Buddy Holly songs." So the music starts, and from the intro I can tell it's Peggy Sue, and I'm thinking "What, Peggy Sue? Strange selection." And Connie starts singing and I am truly blown away to my own surprise! Not only is Connie's singing and rendition phenominal, but the band and arrangment are extraordinary! I mean they are all, including Connie, incredibly fantastic!
Available in all major record stores in the UK.
Available from:
FootLight Records
113 East 12th Street
New York, New York 10003
Phone: 212-533-1572
http://www.footlight.com
Available in the UK from http://cdzone.co.uk.
Note: I.D. International Disc has recently closed down. I'm working on finding alternate sources for many of the Connie Francis CDs they offered. website editor
Song List:
Click here for the list of the 117 songs.
Review:
It has been years since PolyGram produced something as lavish as this boxed set for the biggest star they have ever had under contract. And fitting that they have finally, after years of indifference, realized that Connie Francis deserves much more than the occasional BEST OF series. All to often material, much of it excellent, has been released for the foreign market which is un-available, or at best difficult for her American public to locate. With this release it appears that the powers at PolyGram are genuinely making an attempt to redeem themselves. The 72 page booklet is well written and would probably make it on its own were it placed on a bookshelf. There is an introduction by Dick Clark, and the main text was written by Don Charles.
It chronicles the early, (from the very beginning), career of Concetta Rosemarie Franconero, is rich with information, quotes and anecdotes, and is not simply fluff. There are surprisingly informative notes, including the recording history for each and all 117 tracks, and 12 pages dedicated to highlighting each of Connie's original MGM albums. A color reproduction of each album, including reissue covers, complete with track listing and release date is featured. A generous assortment of photographs, (the majority in color, 15 full pages), have been placed throughout the booklet. To round out the release each CD face has its own photograph.
Available in most major record outlets in the US and Europe.
FootLight Records
113 East 12th Street
New York, New York 10003
Phone: 212-533-1572
http://www.footlight.com
CD Now at http://www.cdnow.com
CD Now has many Real Audio soundfiles on this discography for the Souvenirs CD set. This site also has "Mama."
Music Boulevard
http://www.musicblvd.com
1-800-99MUSIC or (610) 293-4793
Album info from Music Boulevard
In Your Ear Music
http://www.in-your-ear.com
(800) 660-3981
Album info from In Your Ear Music
Editors Note: Coinciding with the release of Souvenirs, the 4 CD set from Polydor, newspaper articles began appearing across the nation. Connie Francis has commented that the CD set does not include her best efforts.
Connie has said, "My favorite song is Mama because it touched more people than any song I could ever do. My least favorite are the first 18 songs or so on that Souvenirs box set. Such stupid songs. I don't know where they dug them up from. Hundreds of great, artistic, jazzy moments and they used those. But I'm just glad they put it out because in the last few years finding a Connie Francis record was rarer than finding plutonium."
The songs Connie Francis is most proud of are the Connie on Broadway songs including If You Could See Me Now. Her other favorites are Brother, Can You Spare A Dime?, Danny Boy and God Bless America.
Connie Francis mentions the possibility of having a second set released next year, perhaps containing Wind Beneath My Wings. Another that should be considered is Here, Where I Belong. The two beautiful songs Connie mentions as being neglected from the Souvenirs set, Stardust and Because Of You, have both made their CD debut. Unfortunately, only in the foreign market. The song that became a big hit for Bette Midler, Wind Beneath My Wings, was given to Connie in 1981 but unfortunately was not recorded.
Source Documents:
Connie Francis Fan Club Newsletter #35, Winter 1996
Interview by Bill Ervolino of The Record, October 22, 1996
Interview by Dave Tianen of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, November 25, 1996
Interview by A.D. Amorosi, of the Philadelphia City Paper, November 22, 1996
Editors Note:
What makes this CD set a treasure and important is that it can be bought at many common retail CD stores in the United States. Many different kinds of songs that Connie has sung throughout the years besides rock-n-roll were not readily available to the American consumer. These tunes could be purchased outside the United States or at ID International in North Carolina, but now with Souvenirs these songs can be easily found by Americans. However, the major drawback of the CD set is the expense as many consumers are not willing to spend a large amount at one time (many other singers have had this problem with large CD box sets).
Editors Note: This is Connie's FAVORITE album. For a excellent discussion of Connie's jazz talents, read Alex Cuoco's essay "Connie's Favorite Recordings" (click here) in the Forum Part 2.
Song List:
Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone, Brother Can You Spare A Dime?, Maybe, Am I Blue?, Button Up Your Overcoat, You Oughta Be In Pictures, Ace In The Hole, Somebody Else Is Taking My Place, Golddigger's Medley: With Plenty Of Money And You and We're In The Money, Just A Gigolo, Ain't Misbehavin', Connie & Clyde
Review:
The eagerly anticipated release of this CD, with a replica of the track selections on the May, 1968 MGM album release, E/SE4573 Connie & Clyde: Hit Songs Of The Thirties, is now available. Among the numerous and certainly diverse albums MGM issued by Connie, according to her own admission, this is her favorite. It's also one of those CDs you will not want to miss out on!
To order, send check or money order of $18 US, $25.00 all other countries to:
Telephone Monday through Friday, 12:00 pm up to 6:00 pm,
Central time!
(504) 525-1776
The price, including S/H remains the same; $18.00 US, $25.00 all other countries.
FootLight Records
113 East 12th Street
New York, New York 10003
Phone: 212-533-1572
http://www.footlight.com
Song List:
The Look Of Love, Moon River, True Love, Strangers In The Night, White Cliffs Of Dover, Tammy, Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Love Is A Many Splendoured Thing, What Kind Of Fool Am I, Love Me Tender, Stardust, Young At Heart, Three Coins In The Fountain, My Heart Cries For You, Am I Blue, My Foolish Heart, The Wayward Wind, I Wish I Had A Wooden Heart, The Last Waltz, Trains And Boats And Planes
Review:
While the title has been used before, not all of the tracks have been released on CD... I Wish I Had A Wooden Heart, What Kind Of Fool Am I, Stardust and My Foolish Heart are making their CD debut on this release. Spectrum, is a subsidiary of Kraussell Music, a German corporation, an there is German writing on the lower left of the back sleeve. Where ever it comes from, there is an interesting selection on it. The sleeve photograph has not been used on dozens of other releases either. This should be available from most larger record stores in the United Kingdom. In the US,
Note: I.D. International Disc has recently closed down. I'm working on finding alternate sources for many of the Connie Francis CDs they offered. website editor
Song List:
Disc 1:
Connie's Golden Hits Of The 50s:
Who's Sorry Now, Stupid Cupid, My Happiness, Lipstick On Your Collar, I'm Sorry I Made You Cry, Fallin', If I Didn't Care, Frankie, You're Gonna Miss Me, Plenty Good Lovin', Among My Souvenirs
Connie's Golden Hits Of The 60s:
Everybody's Somebody's Fool, My Heart Has A Mind Of Its Own, Where The Boys Are, Vacation, Second Hand Love, Together, Breakin' In A Brand New Broken Heart, When The Boy In Your Arms (Is The Boy In Your Heart), Don't Break The Heart That Loves You
Disc 2:
Connie in Movieland:
Love Is A Many Splendored Thing, Somewhere My Love, Never On Sunday, The Shadow Of Your Smile, I Will Wait For You, Born Free, Follow The Boys, Three Coins In The Fountain, The Look Of Love, Strangers In The Night, Moonglow
Connie in Love:
It Might As Well Be Spring, Stardust, Be Anything (But Be Mine), Am I Blue?
Connie Swings The Hits:
Ma (He's Making Eyes At Me), Ole' Man Moses, Just A Gigolo, Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone, Swanee
Disc 3:
Connie on Broadway:
Wilkommen/Cabaret, Fiddler On The Roof/To Life, The Impossible Dream, If My Friends Could See Me Now/I'm A Brass Band, Together Forever/My Cup Runneth Over
Connie goes Continental:
Malaguena, Mama, Jealous Of You (Tango Della Gelosia), Granada, For Mama (La Mama), Besame Mucho, Al Di La, La Vie En Rose, Love Me With All You Heart (Cuando Calienta De Sol), Time Alone Will Tell (Non Pensare A Me)
Connie's Very Special Songs:
Ave Maria, In The Summer Of His Years, Exodus/Havah Negilah (Dance, Everyone Dance), My Yiddish Momme, God Bless America
Review:
Several gems are making their CD debut on this Readers Digest 3 CD set. Among them are the beautiful slow ballads Stardust and It Might As Well Be Spring, the sassy If My Friends Could See Me Now/I'm A Brass Band, and the bouncy Ole' Man Moses and Swanee. For several others, with the release of The Swinging Connie Francis, this is only the second time they've been used. It is a well rounded release, and while completely missing the country hits, truly showcases Connie's versatility with any style of music. Connie Francis mentions in a interview in Discoveries magazine (Nov 97) that she is "particularly high" on this CD set.
It is available in both CD and Cassette format from Readers Digest. When ordering, use their catalog number 03 0973.
Call: l-800-846-2100 or 1-888-RD-MUSIC
Song List:
Disc 1, Connie's Golden Hits:
Where The Boys Are, Carolina Moon, Blue Winter, When A Boy Is In Your Arms, Together, Who's Sorry Now, If I Didn't Care, Everybody's Somebody's Fool, Second Hand Love, My Heart Has A Mind Of Its Own, Among My Souvenirs, My Happiness, Stupid Cupid, Eighteen, Lipstick On Your Collar, (He's My) Dreamboat, Robot Man, Vacation, Frankie, Looking For Love, My Best Friend Barbara, Plenty Good Lovin', Don't Ever Leave Me, I'm Gonna Be Warm This Winter, Happy New Year Baby
Disc 2, The Country Side Of Connie:
Heartaches By The Number, Walk The Line, If You Ever Get Lonely, I'm Movin' On, Somebody Else Is Taking My Place, I'm A Fool To Care, Your Cheating Heart, Four Walls, Cold, Cold Heart, She'll Have To Go, Jealous Heart, Oh Lonesome Me, Singing The Blues, I Can't Stop Loving You, My Heart Cries For You, Don't Break The Heart That Loves You, I'm Sorry I Made You Cry, Many Tears Ago, Breakin' In A Brand New Broken Heart, You're Gonna Miss Me, He Thinks I Still Care, Tennessee Waltz, Bye Bye Love
Disc 3, Connie At The Movies:
Moon River, Around The World, Secret Love, Days Of Wine And Roses, Born Free, True Love, Tammy, Follow The Boys, Senza Fine (Phoenix Love Theme), The Shadow Of Your Smile, Love Is A Many Splendoured Thing, Return To Me, Al Di La, Mama, Jealous Of You, Quando Quando Quando, Time Alone Will Tell, For Mama, Scapricciatello, Santa Lucia, Passione, La Paloma
Disc 4, Connie In Love:
More, It's Not Unusual, April Love, Les Bicyclettes De Bflizl, Alfie, Be Anything (But Be Mine), I Was Such A Fool, Walk On By, Mare It Easy On Youself, What The World Needs Now, The Last Waltz, You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You, I'll Be With You In Apple Blossom Time, Nevertheless, Fascination, Everything I Have Is Yours, Stardust, La Vie En Rose, Call Me Irresponsible, I Will Wait For You, All The Way, My Foolish Heart, The Anniversary Song
Review:
In South Africa, the Readers Digest has released a set containing 4 CDs, with a different cover photograph cover and a completely different track listing. Their set, like it's American counterpart, contains tracks, Nevertheless, Everything I Have Is Yours, My Foolish Heart, and Call Me Irresponsible, which are making their CD debut.
To order this set, write to:
The Readers Association
Attention: Lisa Hogarth
South African (Pty) LTD
130 Strand Street
Cape Town, South Africa
FAX: 011 27 21 440 5400
TEL: 011 27 21 440 5699
The converted price, from R290.46 is roughly $70.00
Song List:
Stupid Cupid, Where The Boys Are, Follow The Boys, Who's Sorry Now, Malaguena, Besame Mucho, Aquellos Ojos Verdes, Nosotros, Vaya Con Dios, Al Di La, Torero, Tango Italiano, Mama, Havah Nagilah
Review:
With it's mixture of beautiful Spanish tracks sprinkled among the five American songs, not to mention the three tracks making their CD debut, Havah Nagilah, this particular version of it, Torero, and a live version of Al Di La, this is an above average CD. At this time, we do not know the concert this was culled from. Wherever, it is a very beautiful rendition! Bear Farnily Records has this listed under the secondary title, Mina Historia, in their 1996 catalog.
Available from:
Bear Family Records
PO Box 1154
D-27727 Hambergen, Germany
http://www.bear-family.de
Song List:
Disc 1:
Where The Boys Are, Who's Sorry Now, Many Tears Ago, Lipstick On Your Collar, Frankie, My Happiness, I'm Sorry I Made You Cry, Among My Souvenirs, Everybody's Somebody's Fool, Stupid Cupid, Teddy, If I Didn't Care, I Was Such A Fool (To Fall In Love With You), Jealous Of You, Mama
Disc 2:
My Heart Has A Mind Of Its Own, Vacation, Breakin' In A Brand New Broken Heart, Fallin', When The Boy In Your Arms (Is The Boy In Your Heart), Your Other Love, If My Pillow Could Talk, I'm Gonna Be Warm This Winter, Together, Don't Break The Heart That Loves You, (He's My) Dreamboat, Follow The Boys, Second Hand Love, Be Anything (But Be Mine), Blue Winter
Review:
This collection contains three of Connie's biggest selling hits, and has recently been released through Time-Life. The CD is also a set of 2. There is no distinction made in the catalog numbers, they are labeled disc one and disc two. This may have been advertised on TV in selected areas.
Available from:
Time-Life Music
1450 E. Parham Rd
Richmond, VA 23280
1-800-621-7026