Marlene Dietrich

Marlene Dietrich did her wartime part working the USO circuit and cutting American standards in German to irritate the Third Reich faithful. Having surmised them to be some of Dietrich's best sides, arranger Mitch Miller convinced her to re-record them while at Columbia in 1959. The result is this classic collection of Tin Pan Alley favorites sung in Dietrich's inimitable pop-sprechstimme style. With intimate cabaret tones blowing smoke rings in the background, Dietrich waxes deadpan and ironic on staples like "Lili Marlene," "Miss Otis Regrets," "Taking a Chance on Love," and "Mean to Me"; the going gets especially surreal when her expressionistic delivery is tested on sunny fare like "Surrey With the Fringe on Top." Also found in an English-language version, Lili Marlene should please both the Dietrich newcomer and die-hard fans. ~ Stephen Cook, Rovi