Decca Presents Marlene Dietrich

The songs were recorded in Los Angeles under the direction of conductor Victor Young, with sessions taking place on two separate dates. On December 11, 1939, Dietrich recorded "I’ve Been in Love Before", "You’ve Got That Look," and "Falling in Love Again". Later, on December 19 of the same year, "The Boys in the Backroom", "You Go to My Head" and "You Do Something to Me" were recorded.^[3]

Originally released as three 10-inch 78 RPM shellac singles under the official title Decca Presents Marlene Dietrich — New Universal Star — In a Collection of Songs from Her New Universal Pictures, and Her Other Favorites (Decca Album No. 115), the album was later reissued as a 10-inch 78 RPM LP with the addition of two tracks, "Lili Marleen" and "Symphonie", recorded in New York with the orchestra conducted by Charles Magnante on September 7, 1945.^[4] The single "Lili Marlene" / "Symphony" was released on October 1945 (catalog no. 23456).^[5][6] The reissue slightly modified the original cover art, updating the title to Marlene Dietrich Souvenir Album, and adding the tracklist to the design. In 1998, the MCA record label reissued all the eight tracks on a compact disc (CD) titled Falling in Love Again.^[7]

Billboard announced the release on October 24, 1942, in its "The Week's Records" section, covering records issued between October 13 and 20, retitled Marlene Dietrich Souvenir Album.^[8][9]

Billboard praised the album, stating that "this package should go over big" and that Marlene Dietrich "manages to be as sexy on wax as she is in the flicks".^[10] The Hollywood Reporter reviewed the Souvenir Album on 1948, describing it as "the definitive assemblage of the Dietrich into one book", and highlighting its appeal to collectors who, until then, had only been able to obtain scattered recordings.^[11] In his remarks on the album, included in the book Goldmine's Celebrity Vocals: Attempts at Musical Fame from 1500 Major Stars and Supporting Players, Rof Loffman noted that Dietrich's drawling contralto and sophisticated delivery evoked her exotic glamour while also revealing a sense of humor.^[12]

Decca presents Marlene Dietrich

Marlene Dietrich Souvenir Album

• Marlene Dietrich discography