Desmond,Johnny Singles Collection 1939-58 CD

Born Giovanni Alfredo de Simone in Detroit 1919, Johnny Desmond was one of the substantial cohort of Italian-American crooners, most notably Frank Sinatra, who were such an important part of the popular music of the post-war era. He studied music before turning to night-club singing, and in 1939 formed a vocal trio called The Downbeats, changing their name to the Bob-O-Links when they joined Bob Crosby's Orchestra, with whom he had two hits before joining Gene Krupa as featured vocalist, and had another hit with Krupa. He was with Glenn Miller's military orchestra during WWII, returning to showbiz as a solo singer after the war, and forged a successful career, having hits through into the rock 'n' roll era, although he never attempted to compete in that musical metier. This 50-track 2-CD set comprises a few recordings with the bands of Bob Crosby and Gene Krupa, along with selected A & B sides of his singles on the RCA-Victor, MGM and Coral labels during this era, including recordings with Don Cornell, Alan Dale, Buddy Greco, Eileen Barton, The McGuire Sisters, Jane Russell and Monica Lewis. It features all his 20 and more career chart entries, including the Top 10 hits "Woman", "Play Me Hearts And Flowers", "The Yellow Rose Of Texas" and "The Gang That Sang Heart Of My Heart". It's a varied showcase for his talents as a big band vocalist, top class ballad singer, novelty pop singer, and skilled interpreter of the repertoire typical of the era, and an entertaining introduction to an artist who has not had the attention which his success merits

1. You Forgot About Me 2. Do You Care 3. Two In Love 4. All Those Wonderful Years 5. Don't You Remember Me? 6. Do You Love Me? 7. I Don't Know Enough About You 8. Guilty 9. P.S I Love You 10. While The Angelus Was Ringing (Los Trois Cloches) 11. Four Winds And The Seven Seas 12. Don't Cry Joe (Let Her Go) 13. C'est Si Bon 14. Picnic Song 15. Just Say I Love Her 16. A Bushel And A Peck 17. Too Young 18. Because Of You 19. Mr And Mississippi 20. I'm Glad I Gave It Up For You 21. I Want To Be Near You 22. Hands Across The Table 23. Festival 24. Trying 25. Nina Never Knew 26. Stay Where You Are 27. Woman 28. The Gang That Sang "Heart Of My Heart" 29. Pine Tree, Pine Over Me 30. Cling To Me 31. The Zoo 32. East Side, West Side 33. Backward, Turn Backward 34. The High And The Mighty 35. A Wife 36. My Own True Love 37. The Song From Desiree 38. Play Me Hearts And Flowers 39. Togetherness 40. It's A Sin To Tell A Lie 41. Learnin' The Blues 42. This Too Shall Pass 43. The Yellow Rose Of Texas 44. I'm So Glad 45. Sixteen Tons 46. Never Again 47. A Girl Named Mary 48. I Just Want You To Want Me 49. A White Sport Coat 50. Anniversary Song