MUSIC REVIEW: PATTI PAGE “This Can’t Be Love”

Label: Hindsight Records

Release Date: October 2, 2020

Rating: 85%

Reviewer: Todd “Toddstar” Jolicoeur

I am always venturing out and enjoying music out of my norm and that is so true with my listening and enjoyment of the Hindsight Records re-release of Patti Page’s This Can’t Be Love as part of their reimagined series.  This collection is full of timeless classics that resonate as much now as they did when originally released.  The blend of Ms. Page’s voice with The Sentimental Pops Orchestra led by John Forbes is a perfect combination of sound that helps deliver the tracks and allow the listener to enjoy not only the vocals and instrumentation, but the songs as a whole.  Patti’s take on “Blue Moon” is a standout in my opinion, as it doesn’t detract from the more commonly known version, but rather adds to the tracks legendary status.  Title track “This Can’t Be Love” zips and pops from opening note until the final piano key is stroked.  Another classic gets treatment from the orchestra and Page when “Let Me Call You Sweetheart” joins the musical fray.  This song takes its time and sticks closer to the more well-known arrangement.  A song previously unknown to me, but that resonates with me each pass through, “Exactly Like You Again,” benefits from a killer interlude featuring piano and guitar that enhances the mood and sound of the track.  Another fun track that seems to sparkle a bit more than others is “It All Depends On You.”  The mood and tempo of this track get your foot tapping and singing along before the chorus makes a second pass.  Another classic, and my favorite on the collection, the Ms. Page’s rendition of “The Glory Of Love.”  Growing up in a different era, I have heard several versions of this song, but there is something about this one that sticks to the head and heart.  The instrumentation and arrangement seems to be made to support and be a perfect foundation for Patti’s vocals.  Disc closer “Goody Goodbye’ is another toe tapper that gets treatment form a piano interlude and instrumental treatment from the orchestra that elevates and showcases Page’s vocals and makes one appreciate the music of another era.

Tracklisting: Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me – Blue Moon – This Can’t Be Love – Let Me Call You Sweetheart – I‘ll Never Smile Again – Exactly Like You Again – Don’t Blame Me – It All Depends On You – I Can’t Get Started With You – It Started All Over Again – The Prisoner’s Song – The Glory Of Love Again – You’ve Changed Again – Goody Goodbye Again