James,Joni Very Best Of Joni James 1951-62: All Hits & More CD

Joni James was a hugely successful American recording artist of the 1950s and '60s, and was one of the few singers who were able to maintain the momentum of her career through from the middle-of-the-road pop era of the early '50s through into the post-rock 'n' roll era of the later decade and beyond. So popular was she in the early '50s that she twice had four records in the Top 10 simultaneously. She brought country material into the pop chart, making the Top 5 with "Your Cheatin' Heart" while it's composer, Hank Williams, was topping the country chart, and she helped introduce the "concept" album with her first LP "Let There Be Love". Indeed, she was one of the first artists to concentrate on the album market, successfully releasing at least four a year through the '50s, including her "100 Strings & Joni" series, recorded at London's Abbey Road studios. She suddenly retired from the business in the early '60s to look after her seriously ill husband, but has returned to performing in recent decades. This great value 54-track collection focuses on her singles, and includes all the 40 or more A and B sides which made one or other configuration of the charts, plus selected other A sides, including tracks which came from the then current album releases. It's a highly entertaining showcase for an artist who has perhaps not received the global recognition she merits.

1. Let There Be Love 2. You Belong To Me 3. Why Don't You Believe Me' 4. Purple Shades 5. You're My Everything 6. Have You Heard' 7. Wishing Ring 8. Your Cheatin' Heart 9. bw I'll Be Waiting For You (Non-album track) 10. Almost Always 11. Is It Any Wonder 12. My Love, My Love 13. You're Fooling Someone 14. I'll Never Stand In Your Way 15. Why Can't I 16. Nina Noni 17. Maybe Next Time 18. Am I In Love 19. In A Garden Of Roses 20. Every Day 21. Mama Don't Cry At My Wedding 22. Pa Pa Pa 23. When We Come Of Age 24. The Moment I Saw You 25. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas 26. How Important Can It Be' 27. Is This the End of the Line 28. Disc 2: 29. When You Wish Upon A Star 30. You Are My Love 31. My Believing Heart 32. Don't Tell Me Not To Love You 33. I Woke Up Crying 34. Give Us This Day 35. How Lucky You Are 36. Love Letters 37. Danny Boy 38. Only Trust Your Heart 39. Summer Love 40. There Goes My Heart 41. There Must Be A Way 42. I Still Get A Thrill 43. I Still Get Jealous 44. Are You Sorry' 45. Little Things Mean A Lot 46. I Laughed At Love 47. I Need You Now 48. We Know 49. My Last Date (With You) 50. Be My Love 51. I Gave My Love 52. I Almost Lost My Mind 53. Tender and True 54. You Are My Sunshine 55. Anyone But Her