Joni James - 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.

Track List:

Disc: 1

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:

Disc: 2

1. When You Wish Upon A Star
2. You Are My Love
3. My Believing Heart
4. Don't Tell Me Not To Love You
5. I Woke Up Crying
6. Give Us This Day
7. How Lucky You Are
8. Love Letters
9. Danny Boy
10. Only Trust Your Heart
11. Summer Love
12. There Goes My Heart
13. There Must Be A Way
14. I Still Get A Thrill
15. I Still Get Jealous
16. Are You Sorry'
17. Little Things Mean A Lot
18. I Laughed At Love
19. I Need You Now
20. We Know
21. My Last Date (With You)
22. Be My Love
23. I Gave My Love
24. I Almost Lost My Mind
25. Tender and True
26. You Are My Sunshine
27. Anyone But Her