DVD Review: Engelbert Humperdinck - Totally Amazing

I think the first time I heard the name Engelbert Humperdinck was during my college years when I spent some time working at a tiny radio station that specialized in classical music. I didn't know much about that kind of music but I worked for the proverbial peanuts, so maybe that's why the  station owner put up with my lack of knowledge.

However, he would really get annoyed when I'd mispronounce the name of a composer or musician, and he even went so far as to find a book that listed them — complete with pronunciations. Unfortunately I seldom used it, so it was a regular occurrence for me to get a phone call from him, despairingly correcting a name I'd just butchered like a Christmas goose. He kept insisting that I spend some time with the book so I grudgingly did so, but mostly just spent the time looking for names that tickled my fancy (Which was easily tickled in those days).

And that brings us back to Humperdinck, a 19th century German composer best known for the opera Hansel and Gretel, but also the originator of a name that was not only funny but was also appropriated by British singer Arnold George "Gerry" Dorsey, who - unlike the original - is still very much around and going strong, as confirmed by his legions of dedicated fans who still show up in droves at his approximately 100 concerts a year. I can't claim to be a long-time follower of his but have always enjoyed his music, and there's no doubt at all that he still has a lot of appeal to listeners of our generation. (And maybe some to other generations too.)

Article Author: Big Geez

Big Geez is a retiree who takes time off from trimming his ear hair to write about music -- sometimes doing conventional reviews, but often just sharing his opinions about how something resonates with his memories and those of his generation. …

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