Johnny Desmond – The Johnny Desmond Singles Collection 1939-1958 – 2CD

Born Giovanni Alfredo De Simone in Detroit 1919, Johnny Desmond was one of the substantial cohort of Italian-American crooners.
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 the Second World War, 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.
He made many radio and television appearances. In 1958, he made his Broadway debut co-starring with Vivian Blaine and David Wayne in the show Say, Darling and he later starred as Nicky Arnstein in Funny Girl. In 1958, he appeared with Dorothy Collins on the television series Your Hit Parade. His movie appearances included Calypso Heat Wave, Escape From San Quentin, Desert Hell and China Doll.
This 50-track collection features the bands of Bob Crosby and Gene Krupa, along with selected A- and 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.
Among his career chart entries included here are the Top 10 hits Woman, Play Me Hearts And Flowers, The Yellow Rose Of Texas and The Gang That Sang Heart Of My Heart. These CDs offer 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.

Track Listing:

CD1:
Bob Crosby & His Orchestra with The Bob-O-Links: 1. You Forgot About Me -   2. Do You Care -   Gene Krupa Orchestra with Johnny Desmond & Anita O'Day: 3. Two In Love -   Gene Krupa Orchestra with Johnny Desmond: 4. All Those Wonderful Years -   Johnny Desmond: 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) -   Johnny Desmond With The Quintones: 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 -   Johnny Desmond & Monica Lewis: 20. I'm Glad I Gave It Up For You -   21. I Want To Be Near You -   22. Hands Across The Table -   23. Festival -  

CD2:
Johnny Desmond: 1. Trying -   2. Nina Never Knew -   3. Stay Where You Are -  4. Woman -  Don Cornell, Alan Dale and Johnny Desmond: 5. The Gang That Sang "Heart Of My Heart" -   Johnny Desmond, Eileen Barton & the McGuire Sisters: 6. Pine Tree, Pine Over Me -  7. Cling To Me -   Johnny Desmond: 8. The Zoo -   Alan Dale, Johnny Desmond and Buddy Greco: 9. East Side, West Side -   Johnny Desmond and Jane Russell: 10. Backward, Turn Backward -   Johnny Desmond: 11. The High And The Mighty -   Eileen Barton and Johnny Desmond: 12. A Wife -   Johnny Desmond: 13. My Own True Love -   14. The Song From Desiree -   15. Play Me Hearts And Flowers -   16. Togetherness -   17. It's A Sin To Tell A Lie -   18. Learnin' The Blues -   19. This Too Shall Pass -   20. The Yellow Rose Of Texas -   21. I'm So Glad -   22. Sixteen Tons -   23. Never Again -   Johnny Desmond & Lawrence Welk & His Champagne Music: 24. A Girl Named Mary -   Johnny Desmond: 25. I Just Want You To Want Me -   26. A White Sport Coat -   Johnny Desmond & Lawrence Welk & His Champagne Music: 27. Anniversary Song -