Decca Presents Marlene Dietrich (later reissued as Marlene DietrichSouvenir Album) is the debut album by singer and actress Marlene Dietrich, released in 1940 by Decca Records as part of their Decca Personality Series of box sets.[1][2]
The album featured songs from her films and personal favorites, recorded in Los Angeles under conductor Victor Young. Originally issued as three 78 RPM singles, it was later reissued with additional tracks, including "Lili Marleen".
Critics at the time noted Dietrich's distinctive, smoky delivery, emphasizing how her understated yet expressive vocals suited the album's intimate mood. Some highlighted the appeal of hearing her perform signature songs like "Falling in Love Again" in a recorded format.
Background and release
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 DietrichSouvenir 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 DietrichSouvenir Album.[8][9]
Reviewing the Souvenir album, the critic from Billboard wrote that Dietrich, famous for slinking across the screen on her fabulous legs, had been captured on wax in the Decca album, performing a set of oldies well suited to her sensuous singing style. The review noted that, although her voice was certainly not the strongest, she still managed to convey her mood—that of a sultry charmer. According to the critic, the package was bound to appeal to her many fans, featuring numbers she had performed on screen such as "Falling in Love Again" and "The Boys in the Backroom". The review predicted that the album was likely to do well commercially, with the potential to make many turntables "torrid".[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]
↑ "New record releases"(PDF). Cashbox. Vol.7, no.6. November 22, 1945. p.10. Archived(PDF) from the original on 4 September 2025. Retrieved 4 September 2025.
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