The Essential Love Songs

With two dozen songs and over 70 minutes playing time, this collection generally includes less well-known tracks by Doris, which was the intention of the voting exercise, although it is unlikely there is now anything too rare in view of the Bear Family anthology. However, I

don't understand how SECRET LOVE and MOVE OVER DARLING fulfil the criteria, both being constantly available on various compilations over the years. Much as I love these songs, I could do without them here, and can only assume that many voters were either unaware of this fact or misunderstood the requirements of the Poll and voted for their favourite Day songs.

However, the remaining 22 songs, are equally split between album tracks (from at least eight albums) and singles; are less common, and two of them, only previously found CD release via Bear Family. EVERY NOW AND THEN, a contemporary 1966 release in the States, was ignored by CBS in the UK, whilst THIS TOO SHALL PASS AWAY from 1953, is a neglected recording, and with one of its lyric lines reading, "When the world is bleak and cold" it suggests pessimism, yet on close listening, the opposite is true. MOONLIGHT LOVER, an aborted single, rescued from the vault for inclusion on one of Sony's "2 on 1's" is based on Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No 2, allowing Doris to join the ranks of all those singers who have dabbled with the classics via popular song adaptation. Other included highlights are a swingy PEOPLE WILL SAY WE'RE IN LOVE, the 1952 remake of IT'S MAGIC and the latin-flavoured FLY ME TO THE MOON. Any compilation by its very nature proves to be a compromise, but for the casual collector this uniquely planned compilation covers much ground and is the ideal showcase for the Day vocal talent.

Some of the songs are very old. Dream a little dream of me hit the top of the American charts back in 1931. Doris recorded her version in the late fifties, before the Shirelles and a good ten years before the Mamas and Papas. I only have eyes for you is also from the thirties, although many people identify it with the Flamingoes or Art Garfunkel, both of whom had huge hits with covers of it. You'll never know and The more I see you were big American hits for Dick Haymes (who also wrote and had a hit with Love letters, normally associated with Ketty Lester) in the 1940's.

When I fall in love was an American top 20 hit for Doris in 1952, but it is Nat King Cole's cover which everybody in Britain regards as the definitive version. His version almost topped the charts in the late fifties and again in the late eighties.

Doris's versions of all these songs are of the highest quality, but it is the less obvious songs which make this collection essential. My personal favorite is Send me no flowers, which is usually ignored by compilers of Doris CD's, but there are some even rarer tracks here.

This is a stunning compilation, with plenty for Doris diehards yet with enough familiar songs to attract casual buyers.

To say the least, you are given a real taster for the many Day styles with tracks appearing from some of her most unforgettable albums whilst signed to Columbia (1947-67). It also features the title soundtrack songs from her romantic comedies like 1963's Move Over, Darling where she starred opposite James Garner and 1964's Send Me No Flowers which paired her for the third and final time with pal Rock Hudson. There are also bonus tracks like the Spanish ballad Perhaps... which was on the soundtrack for a long running UK TV commercial and of course, the Aussie film Strictly Ballroom. Plus rarities like the unreleased single Moonlight Lover based on Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No.2, the swingy US b-side Every Now And Then and the dramatic UK b-side This Too Shall Pass Away.

It's a must for any fan of music...miss this and miss out big time !