The Ray Conniff Singers - It's The Talk Of The Town

1. It's The Talk Of The Town
2. You're An Old Smoothie
3. Buttons And Bows
4. Let's Put Out The Lights (And Go To Sleep)
5. It's Been A Long, Long Time
6. Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah
7. Deep In The Heart Of Texas
8. Love Is The Sweetest Thing
9. They Say It's Wonderful
10. Hands Across The Table
11. My Heart Cries For You
12. Rosalie

It's The Talk Of The Town

Ray Conniff brought his chorus into the foreground for the first time on It's the Talk of the Town, and credited the album to the Ray Conniff Singers. Conniff's chorus is bright and cheery, unlike the immense-sounding Norman Luboff Choir or the comparatively stodgy Robert Shaw Chorale. But despite the high level of energy and enthusiasm, the choral format gives the album a throwback feel that is only amplified by material like "Zip-a-dee-doo-dah" and the Gene Autry favorite "Buttons and Bows," although the latter is, admittedly, very good. The increased focus on the chorus comes at the expense of the instrumental arrangements, which are relegated to a supporting role well behind the voices. It's the Talk of the Town, more than any of Conniff's other vocal albums, treads a little too close to Mitch Miller territory for comfort. 

(by Greg Adams from allmusic.com)