Starting out as a trumpeter as well as vocalist, Billy Eckstine led one of the most innovative big bands during the early 1940s, with many future bebop stars passing through his ranks as he had a number of R&B hits on the National label before he disbanded his orchestra and became a solo singer – this earlier era is covered in our existing Acrobat release Billy Eckstine – Jukebox Hits (ACMCD4019).

As a solo performer, he became a popular, sophisticated and highly-regarded crooner, racking up a string of hits during the late ‘40s and through into the rock ’n’ roll era.

This 74-track set comprises selected A- and B-sides from his releases on the MGM, RCA and Mercury labels during these years, and features all his twenty and more hits on those labels his US pop and R&B chart entries in this era, and his UK hits, including the Top 10 successes Bewildered, Fools Rush In, Temptation, Sitting By The Window, My Foolish Heart, I Wanna Be Loved, If, I Apologize, Kiss Of Fire, No One But You and Gigi plus his duet hit with Sarah Vaughan Passing Strangers.

It’s a substantial overview of a core 15-year period of his career, including at least one side of a significant proportion of his releases, and providing an entertaining showcase for his versatility as a performer and for his distinctive and unmistakable vocal styling.

REVIEWS

This 74 track three CD set is a more than worthy anthology of one of the finest artists of the post war era... one of the all time greats in a set that comes highly recommended. - Gerry Stonestreet (In Tune Issue 347)

This is certainly a glimpse into a major part of his career. Soulful ballads galore, early rhythm and blues here as well, will keep his legacy going. - Colin Campbell (Blues Matters March 2021)