When You're Smiling

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Regis Philbin- When You're SmilingAmazon.com No on can accuse Regis Philbin of not having a sense of humor. Why else would the 73-year-old raconteur/talk show host kick off his CD with an arch version of Myron and Gordon's "You Make Me Feel So Young" on his first recording in over 37 years? But despite that initial eyebrow-raising rendition, his famous ribald sense of humor and sense of absurd comic timing is absent from the rest of the recording. Instead, Philbin plays it completely straight on these rather pedestrian standards, his ragged but mightily recognizable tenor--from thousands of on air duets--often strains for notes, but his delivery is sure-footed and never coy. In fact, if you don't watch yourself, you'll feel a tug at your tear ducts during his version of "Too Ra Loo Ra Loo Ral" with renowned Irish tenor Ronan Tynan. His other coupling is with wife Joy Philbin, who will surprise listeners with her nuanced and deft singing. Although he may not be the world's best singer, Philbin does have a tonality that is not unlike Bing Crosby's and his oversized, warm personality and the elegant instrumentation of his backing combo--with guest appearance by world class trumpeter Warren Vaché--seems to make everything work. --Jaan Uhelszki Product Description On his first album since 1968, Regis covers some of the timeless classics that have formed the soundtrack of his life, including favorites by HIS favorites - Bing Crosby & Dean Martin. Among the songs he croons on the new disc, produced by acclaimed producer/ singer Steve Tyrell (A New Standard, Father of The Bride I & II, Rod Stewart) , is Bing's "Pennies From Heaven. The album includes guest appearances by Irish tenor Ronan Tynan on a touching version of "Toora Loora Looral" and Joy Philbin on a duet of "They Can't Take That Away From Me". Review "Lush" -- All Music Guide From the Artist "These songs tell stories in two-three minutes with their lyrics," says Regis. "If you grow up with this kind of music, it?s a part of your life you never forget. Tony Bennett once said these songwriters are to this generation what the classical Greek poets were to theirs." Philbin insists he has nothing against today?s pop musicians. "I have them on my show all the time," he insists. "I know them all? Ja Rule, Usher, you name them, and they are terrifically talented young people." When it?s suggested maybe what he needs is a media beef with a rapper to promote the new album, Regis laughs heartily. "Exactly, and I think I?m going right to the top," he claims. "I?m starting right now. When anyone shows up on the show, I?m just going to show them my album." "This is for the people who remember this music," he says. "It?s a shame you don?t hear these songs on the radio any more. I?m just trying to preserve the legacy of great words and great music. Which is tough, because the music business has been inundated with all the other sounds, other stuff." "Steve Tyrell was a joy to work with, always up, always encouraging," says Regis about the album?s producer. "Always wanting to get it better." About the Artist After a successful career as one of TV?s most popular personalities, host of one of the most renowned game shows in history and a best-selling author, he?s back to singing his favorites. Produced by Steve Tyrell, Regis covers songs made famous by Dean Martin, Fred Astaire, Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday and Tony Bennett, and written by the likes of Irving Berlin and George and Ira Gershwin. "I?ve been doing a nightclub act since 1967, not only in Las Vegas and Atlantic City, but around the country," says Philbin. "A little song, a few jokes, that kind of thing. I started out as an opening act, but by the time I began going out with Kathie Lee [Gifford], we were headlining. We?d do our individual sets, then do a segment together and people loved it." "I was inspired by seeing Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis at the old Copacabana nightclub in New York," says Regis. "When I heard D

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