Kay Starr - Hits Collection 1948-62 (2020)

Kay Starr was one of the coterie of stylish and striking female vocalists alongside the likes of Rosemary Clooney and Patti Page, who enjoyed their real chart heyday during the years between the demise of the big bands in the late ‘40s and the arrival of rock ‘n’ roll in the mid-‘50s, although she was able to ride the musical upheavals to continue having hits into the early ‘60s. This great-value 49-track 2-CD set entirely comprises her recordings during her time with the Capitol and RCA-Victor labels which featured in the published pop charts in Billboard, Cash Box or the UK, through to her final appearance in the Hot 100 in 1961. It naturally includes her landmark US No. 1 hits with “The Wheel Of Fortune” in 1952 and “The Rock And Roll Waltz” in 1955, the latter also a No. 1 in the UK, along with the UK No. 1 “Comes A-Long A-Love” and her other US Top 5 hits “Hoop-De-Doo”, “Bonaparte’s Retreat”, “Side By Side”, “Changing Partners” and “If You Love Me” – she had another eight Top 10 hits as well. Among the top flight arranger/conductors she worked with on her hits were Hugo Winterhalter, Frank De Vol, Harold Mooney, Dave Cavanaugh, Lou Busch, Cliffie Stone, Joe Reisman, Van Alexander, Jimmie Haskell, Jack Marshall and Perry Botkin Jr.. It’s a marvellous showcase for the talent of one of the biggest stars of the day performing across a range of repertoire, and a feast of top-class pop music.