Hibbler,Al Singles Collection 1946-59 CD

Born in Mississippi in 1915, Al Hibbler, who was blind from birth, was a baritone vocalist whose career transcended the divide between big band jazz, rhythm and blues and sophisticated pop. Starting with the band of Jay McShann, he became the vocalist with Duke Ellington's orchestra in 1943, recording memorable hits with him and staying with Ellington until 1951, but along the way also forging a career as a solo recording artist, enjoying a string of R&B and pop hits, both in the USA and the UK. This 75-track 3-CD set comprises most of his A and B sides on the Aladdin, Sunrise/Miracle, Chess, Atlantic, Mercury/Clef/Norgran and Decca labels during this era. It includes all his career chart entries, most notably his US No. 3, R&B No. 1 and UK No. 2 in 1955 with "Unchained Melody" and his US pop Top 10 hits with "He" and "After The Lights Go Down Low", plus Top 10 R&B hits with "Trees", "Lover Come Back To Me", "Danny Boy" and "What Will I Tell My Heart". It includes a couple of fine recordings with the Count Basie Orchestra. Al Hibbler occupies a unique place in American popular music, and this substantial and comprehensive overview of his primary career as a chart-focused artist provides an enjoyable showcase for his smooth and distinctive vocal style.

1. I Got It Bad And That Ain't Good 2. How Long Blues 3. S'posin' 4. Don't Take Your Love From Me 5. I Surrender Dear 6. Solitude 7. My Little Brown Book 8. My Ev'a Lovin' Baby 9. Summertime 10. Trees 11. Lover, Come Back To Me 12. Poor Butterfly 13. Hey Baby 14. By The River Sainte Marie 15. It Don't Mean A Thing 16. What Will I Tell My Heart 17. I Love You 18. Danny Boy 19. Song Of The Wanderer 20. If I Knew You Were There 21. Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen 22. Stormy Weather 23. Cherry 24. Star Dust 25. Honeysuckle Rose 26. The Blues Came Falling Down 27. Old Folks 28. Travelin' Light 29. Now I Lay Me Down To Dream 30. This Is Always 31. Please 32. Believe It Beloved 33. Sent For You Yesterday (And Here You Come Today) 34. Goin' To Chicago 35. There Is No Greater Love 36. It Must Be True 37. As Time Goes By 38. I'm Getting Sentimental Over You 39. Anne 40. I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart 41. I'm Just A Lucky So And So 42. Every Hour On The Hour 43. Flamingo 44. It Shouldn't Happen To A Dream 45. Unchained Melody 46. Daybreak 47. They Say You're Laughing At Me (While I'm Crying For You) 48. I Can't Put My Arms Around A Memory 49. He 50. Breeze (Blow My Baby Back To Me) 51. 11th Hour Melody 52. Let's Try Again 53. Never Turn Back 54. Away All Boats 55. After The Lights Go Down Low 56. I Was Telling Her About You 57. I'm Free 58. Trees 59. The Town Crier 60. Sweet Slumber 61. Because Of You 62. I Complain 63. Around The Corner From The Blues 64. When Will I Forget You 65. Be Fair 66. Wish 67. I'm Glad I'm Not Young Anymore 68. My Heart Tells Me 69. Ain't Nothing Wrong With That Baby 70. Softly, My Love (Etude) 71. Love Land 72. Love Me Long, Hold Me Close, Kiss Me Warm And Tender 73. Warm Heart - Cold Feet 74. Mine All Mine 75. What Tis? What Tis? Tis Spring