I Believe (6-CD Box Set)

Between his first recordings in 1944 and the conclusion of his contract with Mercury Records in 1952 (chronicled on Volume 1 of this series, 'That Lucky Old Sun,' BCD 16361 GK). Frankie Laine had become one of the most popular singers in the United States, with hit singles including That's My Desire, Mule Train, The Cry Of The Wild Goose and That Lucky Old Sun. Laine followed his producer, Mitch Miller, to Columbia Records, where he remained for thirteen years, during the course of which his international fan base grew exponentially. Frankie Laine's repertoire, which had previously consisted largely of standards and jazz tunes, expanded underMitch Miller's direction, bringing in a stronger pop music element; in many cases more expansive musical backing; and duets with several of the label's established and up-and-coming stars.

This, the second in a planned series of three boxed sets, covers those Columbia label recordings from 1951 - 1955, including top-10 hits Jezebel, Rose, Rose I Love You, Hey, Good Lookin’, Jealousy, Hambone, High Noon, I Believe, and Hey, Joe, and complete albums including 'One For My Baby,' 'Mr. Rhythm,' 'Lovers' Laine' and 'Command Performance.' Here are all of Frankie Laine's duets with Jimmy Boyd, Doris Day, Jo Stafford and the Four Lads. The 'Jazz Spectacular' sessions with an all-star band including Buck Clayton, Budd Johnson, Sir Charles Thompson, Hilton Jefferson, J. J. Johnson and Kai Winding are here, along with soundtrack recordings from the films 'Sunny Side Of The Street,' 'Rainbow 'Round My Shoulder' and 'Bring Your Smile Along,' plus the complement of previously unissued master and alternate takes that listeners expect from Bear Family. The lavishly-illustrated hard-cover accompanying book includes an extensive discography, and new interviews with first-hand participants including Stafford; the Four Lads' Bernie Toorish; Frankie Laine's long-time accompanist, Al Lerner; and Frankie Laine, himself.