1990's
Golden Years 1955 is a disappointing oldies collection with a promising track listing that, unfortunately, features just one original recording out of its ten tracks. The original --
Gogi Grant's "Suddenly There's a Valley" -- isn't quite as immediate as her hit "The Wayward Wind," but it still sounds better than the weak re-recordings that surround it. Tired, overworked versions of
the Crew Cuts' "Earth Angel,"
the Platters' "The Great Pretender," and
the Four Aces' "Love Is a Many Splendored Thing" lack the impact and nostalgia of the original renditions of these songs. This collection really can't be recommended to anyone, especially since far better '50s pop compilations have come out since its release. ~ Heather Phares