Alma Cogan - I Love To Sing (Music CD)

Alma Cogan's debut album was released in 1958, four years into her career, at a time when her fame was at an all time high. It is devoted, for the most part, to the same novelty-style numbers that had already brought her so much success, a mood that conductor Frank Cordell effortlessly mirrors with his playful, show tune jazz arrangements. From the rollicking title track, through a lovely rendition of "Taking a Chance on Love," and on through standards "Cheek to Cheek" and "As Time Goes By," I Love to Sing is lighthearted entertainment at its very best, with Cogan's trademark laugh never far from the surface. "Ain't We Got Fun" is irresistibly buoyant and, though the album does have its quieter moments, when she sings "Today I Love Ev'rybody," you can believe she means every word of it. ~ Dave Thompson