George Burns Albums (3)
What The Critics Say
Hey, if George Burns wants to make records while in his eighties, who are we to argue? One of America's greatest entertainers made a series of albums for Mercury Nashville, and even snatched a hit in "I Wish I Was Eighteen Again," a bittersweet look at days gone by. Granted, the production style is pure countrypolitan, and the strings and female chorus that back most tracks can grate on the nerves. The material would have been better served with Burns singing to spare accompaniment in order to get a stronger sense of intimacy between performer and audience. The songs themselves generally are either old standards of popular music or songs that befit a man of Burns' age and knowledge. He brings an appeal based on his life's experiences to such standards as "You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You" and especially "Young At Heart." In the cut "The Old Fashion Way," Burns wryly ad-libs, "I've been around a while. I know a little about love." One can almost envision him saying that, smiling up on stage and flicking his cigar. No, this compilation is no masterpiece of popular music. But despite the slick production values brought to the album, the material is solid and Burns is nothing less than charming on these recordings. ~ Michael Ofjord, All Music Guide
'I Wish I Was Eighteen Again'
Release Date 1/1/1980
Tracks 10
Label Mercury/Musi Verse
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
George Burns' charming personality cut through the dreadful film soundtrack to 1978's Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band when he performed "Fixing a Hole," followed on that record by Alice Cooper's equally exotic rendition of "Because." Two years later Burns almost landed in the Top 40 with "I Wish I Was Eighteen Again," a sequel of sorts to Alice Cooper's debut hit, "I'm 18." Is he country or comedy? As stated above, George Burns is personality. In a cloud of cigar smoke on the front and back covers of this LP the singer is un-p.c. and flagrantly not giving a damn about the hazards of tobacco -- his long life a threat to the accuracy of the Surgeon General reports. And the music inside is a reflection of the fascinating cover photos, the lament of the title track a perfect fit for the television icon. Burns sings on key, though the voice makes up in enthusiasm what it lacks in power. Taking on country material like Tom T. Hall's "One of the Mysteries of Life" as well as "Old Dogs, Children and Watermelon Wine" continues the retrospective theme initiated by "I Wish I Was Eighteen Again." There's a host of musicians backing Burns on this Jerry Kennedy production, classy-sounding country music with a humorous edge. He borrows from Dean Martin for "Old Bones," while "A Real Good Cigar" is a song about his love for women, Glenn Sutton's composition yet another potential signature tune for Burns' spoken word singing. There's a lot of advice from the wise old sage, Dolly Parton's twang of "Nickels and Dimes" blending perfectly with Tim Rice and Marvin Hamlisch's show tune swing of "The Only Way to Go." Delightful is the best description for the star of the Oh, God! films, proof here of the staying power of an old pro. ~ Joe Viglione, All Music Guide
