AMG Review of Golden Greats

Steve Leggett
All Music Guide

The Platters were the most successful vocal group of the 1950s, with a dozen gold singles and a trio of million-selling albums in their resumé. Blessed with lead singer Tony Williams' warm, rich tenor, and a manager, Buck Ram, who was also a skilled arranger and songwriter, The Platters toned down their R&B and gospel roots to fit pop radio, and their biggest hits ("Only You," "The Great Pretender") have become acknowledged classics. Their cover of "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes," originally recorded by Paul Whiteman in 1933, has become the definitive version of this beautiful song. Golden Greats is a budget, three-disc collection that has all the hits and more, although a single disc with just the biggest hits would probably suffice for the casual listener.