Growing up, and before I developed my own musical tastes, which are more rock-oriented, I derived much listening pleasure from artists like Engelbert Humperdinck, seen as one of India's own, because of his birth there. The sizeable Anglo-Indian community, and general Anglo-philia meant that English songs such as his, Tony Bennett, et al were staples at weddings, on the radio, and school concerts.
I have retained an admiration for his honeyed voice, emotive lyrics and stage presence. His varied life has been an illustration of the highs and lows in 'la condition humaine'. The collection "Engelbert Live" is a good starting point for an introduction to the ouevre of this music legend.
It is packaged as a DVD/CD combination, at a low low price, (rereleased recently with the bonus CD) recorded from a 1998 show at the Forum Theater in Los Angeles. The DVD comes with Dolby Digital as well as DTS sound, and features him doing a few of his own songs, as well as some interesting cover versions. A couple of guest stars appear, including Michelina. His trademark, self-deprecating humor and easy airs are much in evidence.
The selection includes, "Portofino", "Love Is A Many Splendoured Thing", "Release Me" and "Quando Quando Quando". Cover versions of "Sittin' On The Dock Of The Bay", "When I Fall In Love" and "Unchained Melody" are well done, and personalized to the typical Engelbert style. I particularly liked the rock'n'roll "Nothin' A Little Love Won't Cure", his interpretation of "Sittin' On..." and "Such A Night". His love for Spanish songs comes out in "Yours" and "Per El Amor De Uma Mujer"(also in English)
Engelbert's sensuality and charisma have ensured him both chart-topping success as well as a legion of ardent admirers, not all of them lounge lizards and cruiseship divas. His early single "Release Me" put pause to the Beatles "Penny Lane/Strawberry Fields", and more recent hits like "After The Lovin'" (also on this collection) have given him brand-name recognition with at least two generations, across five decades. He has even stepped away from his traditional ouevre to provide naughty songs like "Lesbian Seagull" for "Beavis and Butthead Do America"
Article comments
1 - Matt
Slide the CD in, dim the lights, snuggle up with a loved one, and ease your troubles away.
2 - HW Saxton
I have had the distinct displeasure of
being on the sound crew at several of
EH's shows at Bally's Grand Hotel in LV
Nevada.(I'm a stagehand in Las Vegas).
Englebert is a PRICK! A tone deaf,humor
less arrogant jerkoff.He is disliked by
sound men the world over.He's losing his
hearing and needs stage monitors loud as
can be & then it's still not loud enough
for him. This of course poses lots of
hassles as his monitors are at & beyond
the point of feedback and the asshole
still can't hear shit. Of course this
the sound guys fault naturally...
3 - Temple Stark
What's that? Can't hear you HW? A but for lame jokes - there but for the grace of god go I.
Aaman,
I've moved this over to Advance.net - the land of hundreds of thousands of readers a week.
Let your contacts know - and thanks for the review. - Temple
4 - Aaman
Temple, small typo - I don't believe I wrote that - I grew up in India, not England - re the first line - would appreciate that changed - here, and on advance.net - much thanks
5 - Aaman
Nope, I didn't - my blog has the same post, and it doesn't have those words - hmmm
6 - Eric Olsen
between Aaman's super, velvety, langorous review and HW's yeoman's lament we have the whole of the moon - what an odd and interesting day is today
7 - Temple Stark
Gawd, sorry. That's scary. I don't know how that got there. Your original post at your site lists neither, just "Growing up, ....
I'll change it to that - both places. Sorry again.
8 - phyllis miles
i still think he is the greatest singer yet, and those of u that like to find fault lets hear u sing and let me be ur critic , he satill has his good looks , have u let me be the judge of that , u seem to like to find fault with other people, i still would like to meet him , i still think u are a great singer and u are getting older and wiser, , i will be at ur next concert when u come back to florida , love u much , can u tell phyllis miles
9 - Rod
Great singer..Saw him at his concert at the Las Vegas Hilton in 1982 with family members..been a fan ever since.
10 - Evan
he is a great singer i bought a cd of him tonight hes the best along with Neil Diamond Barry Manilow and Neil Sedaka
11 - Evan
acutaly i decided to turn down Engelbert Humperdinck for the Carpenters
12 - Anonymous
I was a musician who worked for Engelbert for years. He treats all of us terrible. The talented musicians he has are at a loss of what to do because he constantly yells and harrasses everyone. He calls people names. He changes songs at the last minute without rehearsal and the reason he doesn't like any of the music is because he can't hear. He's almost completely deaf and knows nothing about music (as in notes. He can't write music and never studied it). He treats the sound man and staff so disrespectfully that musicians can't stand working with him. The only reason he has the people with him now is because of the money (they gotta pay bills) so they tolerate him. He's horrible to work with. Nothing to do with his singing it has to do with how he treats people.
13 - Davey
Interesting that Engelbert speaks of his generosity and charitable interests. Most of his fans don't know that he is not generous on any level with his staff (crew and musicians). He is a bully. This DVD was made on the backs of his less fortunate staff. He pays no royalties to the musicians that appear on it. They were forced to sign a release minutes before showtime with a threat of being fired if they didn't, they were fired anyway. He has hit people in the face with microphones (a lawsuit stopped that practice).
The end result might be ok, but you have to ask yourself if you want to support a man like this. I worked for him briefly, there are no words to describe how awful he is. Trust me, I am being very generous here. Everything you read that is negative is true, really true.
14 - Lonie
I know a musician who has worked with Hump in recent years and has some rehearsals and live performances recorded without the benefit of AutoTune. Everything you read above about Englebert losing his hearing is true. The man might believe he can still perform, but the flat notes tell me he should get off the stage and let his OLD legacy speak for his future. His undeniably great showmanship is thoroughly undermined by the the loss of his instrument and the true tales of his horrific bullying.
I have heard stories that would raise the hair on your head about how he abuses his professional staff - belittles them, attacks them unjustifiably, accuses them of poor musicianship when HE is the one off beat and out of tune. No one wants to travel with him on tour busses. The musicians in his band keep their heads down and their mouths shut - but it doesn't protect them. It is a shame that an artist of his stature has become so small and mean.