The Frankie Vaughan US & UK Singles Collection 1950-62

Frankie Vaughan was one of the most popular and successful British singers of the 1950s and ‘60s, his career transcending the vagaries of the rock ‘n’ roll era, despite the fact that he was very much a vocalist in the traditional style, and he even made inroads into the US market – rare for British artists in that time. Starting as a big band singer and becoming popular on radio, he signed to EMI’s HMV label in 1950, subsequently moving to Philips, scoring his first hit in 1954 with “Istanbul (Not Constantinople)”, the first of many successful cover versions of US hit originals which he recorded, notably his No. 2 “Green Door” in 1955 and his first No. 1 the following year “The Garden Of Eden”, and he racked up a significant run of big hits over the next few years. This great-value 60-track 2-CD set comprises a significant proportion of his UK A sides during this era, plus selected B sides, along with titles which were among his US A and B sides, some otherwise unreleased in the UK – he had a No. 22 US hit with “Judy” in 1958. It naturally includes all his 24 UK hits during these years, including the No. 1 “Tower Of Strength” and the Top 10 entries “Man On Fire”, Kisses Sweeter Than Wine”, “Kewpie Doll” and “The Heart Of A Man”, and his Top 10 hits with The Kaye Sisters “Gotta Have Something In The Bank Frank” and “Come Softly To Me” – needless to say, we also include his signature song “Give Me The Moonlight”. It’s a fine showcase for a fine singer and highly popular personality in British entertainment.