A good overall compilation of Darin as a singer...

Bobby Darin's best sides were as a Vegas lounge swinger. However he started as a rock'n'roller, turned swinger turned cowboy country singer, and all periods are covered on this exellent cd. Though Darin's waek points were hsi ballad singing, but that isn't what thsi collection focuses on, most of the tunes swing weather they be rockabilly infused rock'n'roll, swingin' big band pieces, Ray Charles style r&b, or country and western. This cd includes the two most essential Darin pieces Beyond The Sea, and Mack The Knife, also included is a swingin' versions of Artificial Flowers, which sums up Darin at his very bast rockin' hard backed b ya swingin' band!!! Exellent compialtion.

Could have been *****, but ...

Where is "I'm Beginning To See The Light"?



This arguably his best song and everyone forgets about it.



It's on the "Swingers" soundtrack.

Premier collection of this legendary entertainer

Imagine learning when you are a young child that you are only expected to live until age 30. This was the reality Bobby Darin was forced to cope with. Even in his early teens Bobby Darin knew just what he wanted to do with his life. He craved the spotlight and realized early on that music was in his blood.

Not only did he love to sing and perform before live audiences but he was also an extremely gifted songwriter and a talented musician as well. And because of his serious medical condition he was determined to make a name for himself before the age of 25. Well lo and behold Bobby Darin did just that!!

In 2002 Rhino released "The Hit Singles Collection" featuring 20 of Bobby's all-time greatest hits. What a collection! From rock and roll favorites like "Queen of the Hop" and "Splish Splash" to the sensational "Beyond The Sea" and "Mack The Knife", Bobby Darin was one of the few artists of his era who was able to appeal to teen and adult audiences alike. In fact, during his four year stint at Atco records between 1958 and 1962 Bobby Darin placed more than two dozen singles on the Billboard Hot 100. "The Hit Singles Collection" features other memorable hits like 1961's "You Must Have Been A Beautiful Baby" and one of my personal favorites "Things" from the summer of '62. With an eye on broadening his horizons Bobby moved on to Capitol records in 1963. Rumor has it that he made the move so that he could record in the same studio where Ol' Blue Eyes made his biggest and best records. Though many of his albums at Capitol were critically acclaimed, Darin did not not achieve the commercial success he had hoped for. Nonetheless, Bobby Darin managed to have 2 Top 10 hits while at Capitol. "You're The Reason I'm Living" and "18 Yellow Roses" are both included on this disc. Times they were a-changin' and Bobby returned to Atlantic records in 1966. His recording of Tim Hardin's "If I Were A Carpenter" proved to be one of the surprise hits of that year.

"The Hit Singles Collection" includes a thoughtfully done 20 page booklet packed with photographs, an informative biography and interesting information on each of the 20 tunes in this collection. It is priced right and would be a great addition to your music collection. A great big thumbs up on this one! Highly recommended!