Bobby Darin's "Commitment" LP on CD for the First Time Ever

The Edsel label in the UK will continue its program of fantastic Bobby Darin re-issues in September, with the release of the historic "Bob Darin: Commitment" LP from 1969 (never before available on CD). This was the second of Darin's 2 albums on his own Direction label, and the only album he ever released under the name 'Bob Darin.' Like his first Direction album ("Born Walden Robert Cassotto," coming from Edsel on 08/21/2007), "Commitment" is composed entirely of original material, and thus stands as one Darin's most heartfelt and honest artistic expressions.

Standout tracks include the sly and clever "Distractions (Part 1)," the biting "Song For a Dollar," the snappy wordplay of "Me and Mr. Hohner", and the irresistibly catchy "Jive." Bobby Darin was a first class songwriter with a playful approach to language, and this album found him in top form.

Edsel has also included 10 tracks of additional material from the Direction era, under the title "Rare Darin." Among these tracks, "City Life" and "Route 58" are true gems, as they both represent insights into Darin's past and his personal and artistic struggles. Of course, the rest of it is pretty darned nifty too, especially the live tracks from a 1969 appearance at the legendary Troubadour in Los Angeles.

A pre-order listing for the "Bob Darin: Commitment/Rare Darin" CD will be posted on the DarinLand.com site soon. Keep an eye on this space for updates.

Meanwhile, here are the full details on the upcoming "Commitment/Rare Darin" CD:

BOB DARIN
COMMITMENT + RARE DARIN
EDSS 1015

COMMITMENT
Me And Mr Hohner / Sugar-Man / Sausalito (The Governor's Song) / Song For A Dollar / The Harvest / Distractions (Part 1) / Water Color Canvas / Jive / Hey Magic Man / Light Blue

RARE DARIN
Baby May / Sweet Reasons / Maybe We Can Get It Together / Rx-Pyro (Prescription: Fire) / City Life / Route 58 / Distractions (Part 1) [live at The Troubadour 1969] / Long Line Rider [live at The Troubadour 1969] / Simple Song Of Freedom [live at The Troubadour 1969] / Monologue; Questions [live at The Troubadour 1969]

2 new Bobby Darin CDs out today!!!

Today is the day: the Edsel label re-issues of Bobby Darin's classic LPs, "Sings the Shadow of Your Smile," "In a Broadway Bag," "If I Were a Carpenter" and "Inside Out" are finally back in print. "Shadow" and "Broadway" are together on one disc, "Carpenter" and "Inside Out" are together on another. And both discs are packed with amazing bonus tracks.

This is nothing short of a minor miracle, when you consider the glorious Bobby Darin recordings to be found on these discs:

"Shadow" boasts the intensely romantic "I Will Wait For You," the delightfully playful "Cute," and Bobby's own brilliant composition, "Rainin'." "Broadway Bag" ranges from the cool rhythm of "Feelin' Good" to the explosive joy of "It's Today" to the melancholy beauty of "Once Upon a Time."

"Carpenter" has another fabulous Bobby original, "Amy," plus the smilin' classic "Lovin' You" and the heartbreakingly powerful "Until It's Time for You to Go." "Inside Out" includes the warm and gentle "About You," the kicky and ironic "Bes' Friends," and another fabulous Darin original, "I Am."

It's a good day to be a Bobby Darin fan.

HA CHA doesn't even begin to cover it... :)

Bobby Darin sings "If I Were a Carpenter" in 1970

Here's something to hold us all over until the "If I Were a Carpenter/Inside Out" and "Shadow of Your Smile/In a Broadway Bag" re-issue CDs are out. The release date for these discs has been re-scheduled (it's now 07/17/2007, a week later than originally planned), so we've got a few extra days to wait! You can still pre-order them at DarinLand.com, and thus get your copy sent out to you the day they hit the street.

In the meantime, enjoy this clip of Bobby Darin singing "If I Were a Carpenter" in 1970...

Waverly Seven play “Nature Boy” from their Bobby Darin Tribute, “Yo! Bobby”

The talents of saxophonist Anat Cohen are showcased in this amazing clip of the Waverly Seven performing a haunting and stylish rendition of "Nature Boy," from their newly released 2-disc Bobby Darin Tribute, "Yo! Bobby."

Bobby Darin Tribute Record released today!

"Yo! Bobby," the Waverly Seven's 2-disc tribute to the legendary Bobby Darin, is out today on Anzic Records. This New York jazz outfit has put together 24 tracks of pure brilliance, saluting the great Mr. Darin with kickin' interpretations of "Splish Splash," "The Good Life," "I Wanna Be Around," "The More I See You," and "Some of These Days" (to name-drop a few). Clearly, these young jazz musicians know their Darin, because they also offer up versions of several lesser known Darin classics, including "I Guess I'm Good for Nothing But the Blues," "Work Song," and "Black Coffee." It's taken decades, but at last, the jazz world is giving Bobby his due. Love it!

You can get Waverly Seven's "Yo! Bobby" on the DarinLand.com site.

Bobby Darin sings "Once Upon a Time"

In honor of the recent re-issue of the Shadow of Your Smile/In a Broadway Bag 2-on-1 CD, here is a video clip of Bobby Darin singing one of my favorite numbers from the In a Broadway Bag LP... the tender and beautiful "Once Upon a Time."

4 classic Bobby Darin LPs re-issued on CD -PLUS- a new Bobby Darin video clip

OK, this is no small thing... the Edsel label has just re-issued their 2-on-1 CD editions of Bobby's first four LPs from his return to Atlantic in 1966:

Shadow of Your Smile/In a Broadway Bag

If I Were a Carpenter/Inside Out

Both have cooooool bonus tracks, and both are available for pre-order at DarinLand.com (just click the links above or the images below for more info).

To celebrate, I've posted a clip below of Bobby singing "Once Upon a Time" (an absolute fave of mine).

(oh, and HA CHA!)

--Michael

New Bobby Darin Tribute CD!

I just put the new Darin Tribute CD by the Waverly Seven up on DarinLand.com for pre-order. To check it out, go to THIS LINK.

Here are some details...

"Waverly Seven: Yo! Bobby"

Seven of New York's finest young jazz players pay tribute to the great Bobby Darin on this 2-CD set. Like Darin's originals, these 24 tracks are sizzling with energy, invention, and sheer fun. The ensemble re-interprets such Darin classics as Splish Splash, Nature Boy, Mack the Knife, The Good Life, Charade, That Funny Feeling, and Work Song.

Check out a YouTube Clip of the band performing "Charade" live at their recent CD release show.

HA! and might I add CHA!