Eydie Gorme - The Collection 1952-62 (2021)

A traditional pop singer in the classic early ‘50s mould, Eydie Gorme, born Edith Gormezano, started her career singing with big bands at the start of the 1950s before signing as a solo singer with the Coral label and forming a partnership on US TV’s ‘Tonight Show’ with her future husband Steve Lawrence. She enjoyed a successful career recording primarily as a solo artist, but also occasionally with Lawrence, making the successful transition into the post rock ‘n’ roll era, as she had hits in both the USA and UK from 1956 into the ‘60s, her chart success with her husband coming beyond the scope of this anthology. This excellent-value 56-track 2-CD set comprises selected A & B sides from her 40 or so solo singles on the Coral, ABC-Paramount and Columbia labels during these years, excluding duet performances with Steve Lawrence, and features all her ten solo US and UK chart entries from this era, including the Top 20 hits “You Need Hands”, a US No. 11, “Yes My Darling Daughter”, a UK No. 10, and “Blame It On The Bossa Nova”, a US No. 7. It showcases her ability to range across the music spectrum from sophisticated big band material to upbeat pop, and provides a substantial and entertaining overview of this key first decade of her career.