In keeping with nearly all the releases in this series, the compilers have been careful to ensure that all the music was more than fifty years old, thereby ensuring that performance royalties aren't paid on the music although songwriting royalties are still payable. Such are the idiosyncrasies of British copyright laws, but it helps to explain why the price is so low for a 4-CD boxed set that comes with a well-researched 48-page booklet. Of course, Doris recorded a lot of music prior to 1956, so much so that plenty of great songs have been omitted even as it is. Nevertheless, this is the most comprehensive collection that you'll find of Doris Day's early music that you'll find outside of the Bear Family boxed sets. There are four of those covering her entire career

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and they can't be beaten for quality or completeness, but most people can't afford thewm.

The first fourteen tracks on CD 1 feature Doris as the lead singer with Les Brown's band. In such a capacity, Doris was outstanding but the difference between these recordings and her later music is very noticeable, especially as the Les Brown tracks are very jazzy and Doris only sings on aboutt half of each track, the other half being instrumental. The most famous track that Doris recorded with Les Brown was, of course, Sentimental journey (which Doris later re-recorded as a solo singer in the sixties, though of course that version isn't here). It spent nine weeks at number one in the American charts. Another song that Doris recorded with Les Brown, My dreams are getting better all the time, spent seven weeks at number one. They had other big hits together, most notably Till the end of time (though Perry Como's version did even better, spending ten weeks at number one), You won't be satisfied and The whole world is singing my song.

After Doris left Les Brown, her first big hit eas Love somebody, a duet with Buddy Clark that made number one in America. Doris didn't have to wait long for her first big solo whit, It's magic (from Romance in the high seas). Perhaps surprisingly, it didn't make number one, peaking at two, but it's certainly stood the test of time well. Over the next few years, Doris had many American hits of which My darling my darling, Again, Bewitched, Shanghai, A guy is a guy, Sugarbush (with Frankie Laine), Mister Tap Toe, Secret love and If I give my heart to you all made the American top ten, with two of them (A guy is a guy, Secret love) going all the way to number one.

Doris had many other hits that didn't make the top ten but are equally interesting. Several versions of Powder your face with sunshine were released as singles, but Evelyn Knight's version was the one the public most wanted; it spent several weeks at number one. Let's take an old-fashioned walk is a duet with Frank Sinatra. Doris had a top twenty hit with the country-ish Quicksilver, but Bing Crosby and the Andrews sisters had a much bigger hit with the same song. A bushel and a peck, like Powder your face with sunshine, was popular among singers and several versions were released; Doris again lost out to the competition, this time the winner being a duet by Perry Como and Betty Hutton. Doris was the first to chart with When I fall in love, yet it only just made the American top twenty. The liner notes state that Doris lost out in Britain to Jeri Southern who (it is claimed) had the British hit with When I fall in love. As there were no recognized record charts in Britain at the time (they started a few months later), they must be referring to unofficial charts, perhaps compiled on a test basis before the official charts began, or to sheet music charts. If the latter, how do they know which singer inspired the sales of sheet music?

When record charts eventually started in Britain, Doris had a few hits but not many. Among them were three top ten hits (My love and devotion, Black hills of Dakota, Ready willing and able) that did better in Britain than America, while Secret love made number one in Britain as it did in America. In 1955, Doris starred in the Ruth Etting biopic, Love me or leave me, which gave her further international hits via the title track and I'll never stop loving you.

Later hits (including Whatever will be will be que sera sera) are outside the scope of this boxed set, but this very strong compilation includes all of Doris Day's British and American hits up to 1955, together with many other wonderful songs. Unless you're ready, willing and able to buy the Bear Family boxed sets, this is as good as it gets for the first half of Doris ay's career.

Whoever got this collection together has talent! I love Doris Day, but I'm not fond of the countless novelty tunes she recorded over the years. I've always been drawn to her jazzy, blues, big pop ballads area. She is, without doubt, one of the premiere singers in pop music history.

This CD is like sitting in the Little Club in New York or any of the hundreds of nightclubs where Doris Day appeared before she became a movie star (the REAL kind). The songs are all first-rate, even the uptempo numbers are pleasant and "adult." No kiddie stuff anywhere to be found. Standards like "Stardust" get the royal treatment from this lady with the golden voice. And, when she sails into something like, "You Outta Be in Pictures," you believe it.

I only wish that they had included one of my favorites, the haunting "Kiss Me Again, Stranger" which I rarely see on any of her compilations. It's quiet, but very powerful, with beautiful strings hanging in the background like Southern moss swaying on a misty night.

This one is perfect for playing in your car or just sitting alone at home enjoying some quiet time (pretending you're sitting in a swank nightclub). Doris Day: you did it.

Sentimental Journey was a special purchase by me for use with my parent's 60th anniversary celebration. I couldn't find it locally. I ordered it, got it promptly and it's a good quality collection.

Doris is a great singer and actress. She is good at the making of mood.

This Box set includes 4CDs and a commentary book. It is a very precious thing.