Bobby Darin: The Singing Actor

I've been vibing on the "Seeing is Believing" DVD a lot lately, mainly because it is a prime example of what I have always said about Bobby Darin: He is not just a singer, he is not just an interpreter, he is a singing actor. And even more than that, he is also a storyteller. And even more than that, he is a truth teller.

Actually, I think all these things rolled together (great voice, brilliant acting, fabulous storyteller, truthful storyteller) are what make Mr. Darin one of the greatest lyrical interpreters of our time. He gives his all, everything he's got, to make a song come alive. The video clip of "Come Rain or Come Shine" from "Seeing is Believing" I posted elsewhere on this blog shows all of these elements working in tandem. There he is, opening up and letting it all out, displaying a deep understanding of the lyricist's intent, while also allowing his own experiences to color the delivery, and spinning a yarn for us that will knock us off our feet.

Not many can do that. Not many even try.

There's nothing left to say except: HA CHA!

--Michael

Bobby Darin sings Come Rain or Come Shine from the video Seeing is Believing

In honor of the all the rain-and-sunshine mixed days we've been getting here in the Philadelphia area lately: Bobby Darin croons an absolutely devastating rendition of "Come Rain or Come Shine." Listen to that band swing! And listen to Bobby swing right along with them, with an easy style and an emotional intensity that'll give you goosebumps. Once again, Mr. Darin does more than sing a song... he tells the truth. Reaching down inside, he draws on his own experiences of love and loss, and opens a window to his soul. Nobody, I mean nobody, has ever given so much to an audience.

Bobby Darin sings a “Lazy Medley” with Dinah Shore and Andre Previn

Bobby Darin flashes that brilliant smile and caresses each line with his voice, while Andre Previn tinkles the keys so sweetly. Could anything be more relaxing and thrilling all at once? Dinah Shore is the perfect match for Bobby in this number, her sunny girl-next-door sound adding to the summer afternoon feel of it all. My favorite part is when they sing the Johnny Mercer number “If I Had My Druthers,” lying on their backs with their heads touching. HA CHA indeed!

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

Bobby Darin sings "That's How it Went, Alright" in the movie Pepe

Bobby Darin was always a kick and a half in movies, and here he is layin’ down the Andre Previn tune “That’s How it Went, Alright” in the 1960 comedy extravaganza Pepe. His delivery is so smooth, so hip, and so coooooooooooooool in this nightclub scene that it borders on the Antarctic. I dare ya not to snap along!

Bobby Darin on What's My Line in 1965

This is a real kick, and goes back to my belief that television was so much smarter in the early days. Even the game shows were more intellectual. ‘What’s My Line’ was a perfect match for the quick witted (and undeniably witty) Bobby Darin.

Bobby Darin Video: on the Tonight Show

Bobby Darin sings "You Are my Sunshine" on the Tonight Show. This is an absolutely smmmmmokin' performance!!! Enjoy...