Darin Songs You Should Hear

Bobby Darin recorded a lot of songs during his short career, covering nearly every genre imaginable. The truly remarkable thing is, he managed to interpret each style as if he was born to it. Why? My theory is because he felt the songs, deep in his soul. He has been quoted as saying that he knew lyrics were more than just words. His delivery bears out that fact. He could tell a story with a degree of sincerity that was and still is unparalleled.

Sadly, most folks remember him for a handful of hits: "Mack the Knife," "Splish Splash," "Dream Lover," "Beyond the Sea." While each of these is a gem in its own right, they only scratch the surface when it comes to this man's versatility.

This is intended to be the first in a series of posts highlighting some of Bobby's lesser known tracks, Darin Songs You Should Hear...

"Distractions (Part 1)" is one of funniest songs Darin ever wrote. It originally appeared on the "Commitment" LP, released on Bobby's own Direction label. These days it can be found on the "Songs From Big Sur" compilation, put together by Official Darin Archivist Jimmy Scalia (half of the team responsible for the "Aces Back to Back" CD/DVD set and the "Seeing is Believing" DVD).

There are two versions on the "Big Sur" CD, and while both are great, it's the live version that really lights up. The lyrics tell a tale of a songwriter desperately trying to find some peace and solitude in order to work, while friends, fans and other assorted "distractions" pull his attention away. The comically forlorn sigh Bobby uses to punctuate the verses in the live version is absolutely brilliant. He always had a strong talent for comedy and this track is ample proof. The moment in the story where a fan asks him for an autograph, then tells him, "I used to hate you," points up very nicely the public reaction to Darin's periodic changes in style.

And speaking of changes in style, if you turn 180 degrees away from "Distractions," you might very well find yourself at "Caravan," a show stopping swing number that is every bit as powerful as "Mack" or "Beyond the Sea." From Bobby's second LP of standards, "This is Darin," "Caravan" is a captivating Richard Wess arranged track, replete with fabulous horns, intense percussion and Darin's patented thrilling delivery.

"This is Darin" was recorded just a few months after Bobby's groundbreaking "That's All" LP, but somehow tends to be overlooked when recounting his top albums. It's hard to say why. The record continues in the same vein as "That's All," bringing back Wess to apply his magic touch to a fantastic set of tunes. Along with "Caravan," the songs include a positively smokin' "Gal That Got Away" and a delightfully playful reading of "Have You Got Any Castles Baby." Buddy Bregman also contributes some classic arrangements, on the Darin signature tune "Clementine" and a gently swingin' "I Can't Give You Anything But Love."

Returning to "Caravan," the opening of this tune is, in a word, astounding. Bobby's voice bounces off the percussion as he tells the romantic tale of two lovers embracing under the stars while their caravan moves across the desert. "Sleep--upon my shoulder as we creep--across the sand so I may keep--this memory of our caravan." Bobby and the band are in perfect synch, building and building to a big finish and a lonnnnnng note that will knock your socks clear across the room.

There are so many more songs I want to talk about, blues numbers, country numbers, rock numbers and on and on--but I'll get to that in future posts. To be continued...