"Blue Velvet singer" was a clue in the crossword puzzle today and it is good to see that the song is still remembered and not just David Lynch's movie of the same title. The same holds true for Bobby Vinton. On February 1, 1964 "I Want to Hold Your Hand" became the #1 song in the U.S. and stayed there for seven weeks, at which point it was replaced by "She Loves You" for two weeks, and then "Can't Buy Me Love" for five weeks. I bring this all up because before that epic 14 week run, the artist who had been at the top of the charts for the entire month of January 1964 was Bobby Vinton, with his third #1 hit, "There! I've Send It Again!" The previous year Vinton had spent four weeks on top with "Roses Are Red (My Love" and another three with his signature song "Blue Velvet." Vinton had his last #1 near the end of 1963 with "Mr. Lonely," but by then the face of popular music had changed.

Going into 1963 Vinton was well on his way to being the crooner for the Sixties, but then came the Beatles and the British Invasion. Despite suddenly being out of vogue, Vinton had a pretty good career throughout the decade. You might be surprised to find out that in the first decade of his career Vinton had 28 songs make it to the Billboard Top 40. But this CD only has 25 songs, so obviously some of them got left off of this one. In addition to the above #1 hits this album has "Rain, Rain Go Away" (#12), "Over the Mountain (Across the Sea)" (#21), "Blue on Blue" (#3), "My Heart Belongs to Only You" (#9), "Tell Me Why" (313), "Long Lonely Nights" (#17), "L-O-N-E-L-Y" (#22), "Satin Pillows" (#23), "Coming Home Solider" (#11), "Please Love Me Forever" (#6), "Just as Much as Ever" (#24), "Take Good Care of My Baby" (#33), "Halfway to Paradise" (#23), "I Love How You Love Me" (#9), "To Know You Is to Love You" (#34), "The Days of Sand and Shovels" (#34), "Every Day of My Life" (#24), and "Sealed With a Kiss" (#19).

So it turns out there are three songs here there were not Top 40 hits, including "My Elusive Dreams" (#46). So there is no reason to complain about including that one, however, the same cannot be said for "No Arms Can Ever Hold You" (#93) or "I'll Make You My Baby" (never charted). For the record, what is missing would be Vinton's first Top 40 song from 1962, "I Love You the Way You Are" (#38), "Let's Kiss and Make Up" (#38), "Trouble Is My Middle Name" (#33), "Clinging Vine" (#17), "What Color (Is a Man" (#38), "Dum-De-Da" (#40), and a Top 10 entry, "Dearest Santa" (#8) to go along with another holiday entry "The Bell That Couldn't Jingle" (#23). The cutoff date on this collection ends up being 1972, so "My Melody of Love" (#3) and "Beer Barrel Polka" (#33) from 1974 and 1975 get left off (Too bad: how many Top 10 this are partly sung in Polish?). So there are more Bobby Vinton hits out there. Still, this is a solid collection and the point of enumerating all of his Top 40 hits is to simply prove by the numbers that Bobby Vinton was the crooner of the 1960s.

This is a great collection of his hit songs, but they are not the original final cuts. They are likely rerecordings from a later date. Personally I'm going to go and look for the real "mcCoy." For those who have an "ear" for the exact sounds of those 50s & 60s hits we loved in our youth, you'll notice the difference. If you don't crave perfection, this CD will suffice. bougie62@hotmail.com

Bobby Vinton can still make airwaves sizzle; and when you listen to this album there will be no doubt as to why! Indeed, Bobby remains quite a special entertainer who tours to this day after receiving over twelve gold records and albums. Yes, there are one or two numbers of Bobby's that unfortunately didn't make it to this disc ("Clinging Vine" and "My Melody of Love" are not here); but overall this is still a strong single CD compilation. In addition, the quality of the sound is excellent and that artwork is great. Although every song on this album is easily a winner, I'll try to write this review primarily about the songs that are very, very special in my opinion. Another reviewer writes that these are not the final versions of his songs; but a few of them do seem to be the final cuts or extremely like them. In fact, even if none of them were final cuts, as someone who enjoys Bobby's artistry it's actually pretty interesting to hear alternate renditions of these classic ballads.

"Roses Are Red (My Love)" starts the album with a huge hit for Bobby; he sings this at his usual very best and it's a very poignant song. "Rain, Rain Go Away" also features Bobby Vinton in the spotlight; he sings this with panache and I'm very impressed. "Blue on Blue" is beautifully performed by Bobby; and that music perfectly complements Bobby as he sings the lyrics to this tune that is very pretty even if the lyrics aren't all that happy. "Blue Velvet" was a cover that Bobby aced as effortlessly as if it were mere breathing; but of course we know it really wasn't all that easy--Bobby's talent carries him through. "There! I've Said It Again" is easily one of the major highlights of the entire album; I always enjoy hearing Bobby deliver this with his excellent diction and genuine emotion!

"My Heart Belongs to Only You" is quite romantic; and "Tell Me Why" was yet another gem that glistened like silver and gold whenever Bobby sang it! "Tell Me Why" has a fine musical arrangement, too. "Mr. Lonely," a number inspired by Bobby's stint in the army, is faultlessly performed by Bobby who throws himself completely into this melancholy ballad; it's so beautiful. "Long Lonely Nights" is yet another standout; Bobby's singing stuns me with its beauty; his voice is really special.

"L-O-N-E-L-Y" is certainly memorable; and "Satin Pillows" has a fine backup chorus to enhance this number--not that Bobby needed backup but they do sound pretty good. "Coming Home Soldier" is another charmer inspired by Bobby's time in the army that Bobby delivers with all his heart and soul; and listen for "Please Love Me Forever;" "Just as Much as Ever" and "Take Good Care of My Baby" with Bobby squarely in the spotlight--which is right where he belongs! "I Love How You Love Me," a cover of a song recorded earlier by The Paris Sisters, sports a lush arrangement that is very easy on the ear; and I also enjoy Bobby's fine "I Love How You Love Me" with those backup vocalists.

"No Arms Can Ever Hold You" uses the strings to great advantage; Bobby delivers this without ever letting go of a single superfluous note! "Every Day of My Life" also lets Bobby open up and showcase the operatic qualities of his voice; and the CD ends with Bobby Vinton performing his rendition of a song Brian Hyland recorded, "Sealed With a Kiss."

Bobby Vinton never disappointed his adoring fans; and it's no wonder--with THIS voice Bobby could do no wrong. He never will do wrong, either. As I mentioned above, he still tours to this day--catch him in concert if you can! This album is a must-have for Bobby's fans.

I am extemely happy with this purchase. There are 3 songs on it I haven't found on any other CDs. I have them on an album but a CD and they are my favorite of his songs.

A complete album for the Bobby Vinton lover or admirer! I will buy it again when this one wears out.