Buddy Clark The Collection 1934-49 (2-CD)

Buddy Clark was one of the most popular and successful crooners of the 1930s and '40s and was ubiquitous on radio as well as being a prolific recording artist during the late '40s and enjoying a string of hits during that era. The only reason that he does not rank alongside his contemporaries at that time like Frank Sinatra, Perry Como and Dick Haymes as being one of the top vocalists of the era is that he died tragically in a light plane crash in 1949 at the age of 37. He was a fine vocal stylist, best-known for his easy-going pop recordings although he equally at home with big band and jazz material. This great-value 48-track 2-CD set comprises selected A and B sides from his releases across the complete fifteen years of his recording career, featuring early recordings from the late '30s with various orchestras, including Benny Goodman, Freddy Martin and Johnny Hodges, which included several big sellers, and then from his solo recordings for Columbia after his war service. During that era he had fifteen Billboard chart hits, including the No. 1s Linda, with the Ray Noble Orchestra, Peg O' My Heart, and Love Somebody, a duet with Doris Day. It also includes his No. 3 duet hit with Dinah Shore Baby It's Cold Outside. It's an entertaining introduction to a sadly ignored singer, who deserves much wider recognition.