Australian
Peter Allen, who passed away in 1992, will probably be best remembered as a brilliant songwriter and flamboyant performer rather than as a charting artist. Indeed, his own chart successes were modest, but cover versions of his material have been pure gold for many major acts, including "Jennifer" for teen idol
Bobby Sherman, "I Honestly Love You" for fellow Aussie
Olivia Newton-John, and "Don't Cry Out Loud" for
Melissa Manchester. His songwriting range -- tender ballads through to poppier fare and even campy fun numbers like "I Go to Rio" -- has rarely been rivaled. And while his career was neither as long nor prolific as other piano men like
Elton John and
Billy Joel, his work is arguably in their league.
The Very Best of Peter Allen: The Boy from Down Under captures the cream of
Allen's career on one highly engaging disc. All but two of the 20 tracks were penned or co-penned by
Allen. Highlights include his moving 1972 ballad about his grandfather, "Tenterfield Saddler" (
Allen was born in the town of Tenterfield, N.S.W.), the
Judy Garland tribute "Quiet Please, There's a Lady on Stage," his ragtime-style classic "Everything Old Is New Again," and a live version of "Arthur's Theme (The Best That You Can Do)" recorded at Carnegie Hall in the mid-'80s. But perhaps the jewel in the crown is his poignant ode to his homeland, "I Still Call Australia Home." A vivacious performer with a poet's sensitivity, this album spans the moods and melodies that made
Peter Allen such a special artist. ~ Adrian Zupp