Bobby Darin had left Atco Records by the time
Things & Other Things hit the shelves in mid-1962. But the artist's popularity would turn this seemingly monetarily-motivated odds and sods collection into a relatively successful package for the label. The dozen songs were taken from practically as many different sessions, some of which date back over a four-year span (1958-1961). However,
Darin's universal popularity all but guaranteed that almost anything associated with him would be warmly embraced. Although stylistically eclectic, the material hangs together to offer an overview of the musical diversity that had become one of his strongest suits. The upbeat opening title track "Things" charted in the Top Five and was among his signatures. It undoubtedly aided the album, which bubbled briefly under the Top 40. The easygoing tune is efficiently matched to the catchy female backing vocalists, providing a memorable call-and-response chorus. If the orchestrated midtempo "I'll Be There" sounds reminiscent of another
Darin classic, "Dream Lover," it is most likely because they both come from the same recording date. While this reading was issued as a single, it paled in comparison to
Gerry & the Pacemakers' Top 20 hit. Likewise, it would be the only
Darin original ever covered by
Elvis Presley, which the King documented during his landmark Memphis era circa 1968 and 1969. The Caribbean-flavored "Lost Love" is notable in contrast to the brash and brass-intensive "Nature Boy," one of only two pieces not penned by
Darin. The other is a rocking version of an obscure
Doc Pomus/
Mort Shuman cut titled "Sorrow Tomorrow." Other sides worth a spin are the traditionally derived and folkie "Jailer Bring Me Water," as well as the "Theme from 'Come September'." This slightly mysterious samba is among the later inclusions and comes from the film of the same name, which starred
Darin and his future wife
Sandra Dee. ~ Lindsay Planer