AMG Review of If I Were a Carpenter: The Very Best of Bobby Darin: 1966-1969

Stephen Thomas Erlewine
All Music Guide

Varese's The Very Best of Bobby Darin: 1966-1969 concentrates on perhaps the most overlooked portion of Darin's eclectic career, painting a definitive portrait of his time as a folk-rock singer. In addition to such moderate hit singles as "If I Were a Carpenter," "The Girl That Stood Beside Me," "Darling Be Home Soon" and "The Lady Came from Baltimore," there are several rare cuts, including non-LP singles and tracks that were previously only available on Rhino's Darin box. Though this material may not be quite so well known as his rock and pop hits, this illustrates the depth of his talents and is an excellent supplement for fans who only know "Splish Splash," "Dream Lover," "Mack the Knife" and "Beyond the Sea."