Polly Bergen

I didn't care for this record, at all, when I first heard it. If there is such a thing as overacting while singing, then actor-singer Polly Bergen (1930-2014) does it in this, her first album, from 1955.

Bergen's version of "When the World Was Young," a song that can seem bathetic even in a sober performance, is almost out of control. At one point pianist Jack Kelly even seems to be lightly mocking her in his phrasing.

But the more I listened to the record, the more I grew to like it. She's a good singer. She sounds sincere in her gung-ho intensity. The songs come off well.

Polly Bergen

Bergen recorded several more records that were somewhat popular, especially after she won an Emmy for portraying the tragic singer Helen Morgan on television. She was active as an actor, and successful in business as well.

The cover photo is by Burt Goldblatt, who has appeared here before an an artist (see the Johnny Smith item).

Note (July 2024): this item has been updated, and the files have been greatly improved. The new version is in excellent ambient stereo.

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