Various Artists — Destination Bermuda
Destination Bermuda is twenty five track compilation, which as its title suggests celebrates the island territory in the North Atlantic Ocean known for its pink-sand beaches. The CD is from these masters of the retro compilation Bear Family Records- the tracks are from between the 1950s and 1960’s, with a focus on the largely more mellow side of things- moving between swing, mellow pop, easy listening calypso, lightly simmering organ music, laid-back doo-wop & rock ‘n’ roll, etc.
The CD is presented in a see-through jewel case- which features a colourful twenty-page inlay booklet. This takes in a five-and-a-half-page write-up about the compilation/its themes/ Bermuda’s history in the 50s/ 60’s. As well as write-ups/ pictures for the twenty-five tracks
In the first half of the CD, we move between the lightly jaunting swing meets calypso tones of “Sunset In Bermuda” by The Talbot Brothers Of Bermuda. Onto male harmony lined, tip-tapping percussion, sassy horn-tipped Rock ‘n’ Roll of The Del Vikings “Down In Bermuda”. Through to mellow guitar twang, organ simmer, and expressive/ harmonic horn work of David Dee And The Dons “Queen Of The Bermudas”.
In the second half, we move from shambling acoustic guitars, warbling/ wavering Hammond organ, trad jazz horns, and male sing-song vocals of “Golf Time In Bermuda” by Ross Talbot. We have the sassy ‘n’ jaunting big-band instrumental flavours of Maurice King And The Wolverines “Bermuda”. And grooving organ runs, big beat drum work, male & female led Rock ‘n’ roll of “Betty In Bermuda” by The Dovells.
I guess compared with some Bear Family Records compilations this is not the most genre-varied of collections, with a relatively similar vibe/ tone throughout. We also have three versions of the same song either titled simply “Bermuda” or “Beautiful Bermuda”, and I’m sure this was a faux pa- but at the beginning of the CD on tracks one & three we have two examples of different versions of the same said track….so you very much get a true double take early on in the CD!.
On the whole Destination Bermuda is another worthy/ enjoyable collection from Bear Family Records. Though you have to be ready for a fairly similar vibe/ tone throughout, and the use of the word Bermuda, again & again!.