Capitol Delivers a Geography Lesson

Why would anyone want an album with a version of “Georgia on My Mind” by the Four Knights rather than the hit recording by Ray Charles . . . or “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” by Nancy Wilson rather than Tony Bennett . . . or “Old Cape Cod” by Susan Barrett rather than Patti Page?

Similarly, why would someone want to buy a collection featuring Dean Martin’s “Canadian Sunset” instead of Andy Williams’ hit version . . . or “On a Slow Boat to China” by Kay Starr rather than any of three Top 10 renditions of the song (by Kay Kyser, Freddy Martin and Eddy Howard)?

The answer is that they are simply looking for an engaging concept or theme.

At least that’s what Capitol Records is counting on with the latest releases in its “Capitol Sings” retrospective series.

The “Georgia,” “San Francisco” and “Cape Cod” selections are part of “Capitol Sings Coast to Coast: Route 66,” a 20-track CD featuring songs that salute U.S. cities, states or regions. Among the other offerings: Dean Martin’s “When It’s Sleepy Time Down South,” Judy Garland’s “Carolina in the Morning” and Johnny Mercer’s “San Fernando Valley.”

“Canadian Sunset” and “Slow Boat” are featured in “Capitol Sings Around the World: Far Away Places,” whose 20 tracks offer a more international flavor. The other selections range from Lena Horne’s “I Love Paris” and Bobby Darin’s “Sunday in New York” to June Christy’s “A Night in Tunisia” and Vic Damone’s “The Moon of Manakoora.”

Given the continuing consumer interest in CD retrospectives, the Capitol series tries to tempt pop fans with attractive themes, drawing from the label’s own vaults for material rather than using the more costly practice of leasing the definitive versions of certain songs from other labels.

While the absence of some of the hit versions is likely to be distracting to serious pop fans, these packages are clearly aimed at casual fans, and they are appealing on that relaxed level.

Another sign the packages are designed for the casual pop fan: There are no liner notes detailing the history of the tracks--only the names of the artists, the writers and the dates the songs were recorded.

Two other recent releases indicate that locales aren’t the only themes in the “Capitol Sings” series.

“Capitol Sings Duke Ellington: Mood Indigo” features Ellington material performed by such artists as Nat King Cole, Lou Rawls and Dinah Washington. “Capitol Sings Rodgers and Hammerstein: Hello Young Lovers” features performances by such artists as Peggy Lee, Al Martino and the Andrew Sisters.