A unique collection that presents 55 of the finest numbers created by the great Irving Berlin, with a galaxy of great stars. Russian born Israel Baline (1888-1989) became, as Irving Berlin, the most feted of American songwriters, pouring out a prodigious number of songs, a remarkably high proportion of which have stood the test of time through his gift of directly appealing melodies and simple, sincere lyrics.

The aptly named The Melody Lingers On collates all his most successful numbers – every one of them a familiar family favourite. It begins with his first enormous hit, Alexander’s Ragtime Band of 1911 (performed by Bessie Smith in 1927) and finishes with a song from the 1954 film White Christmas. The earliest recording is the 1926 Always from Layton & Johnstone and the latest the 1962 When I Lost You from Frank Sinatra. In between are Let's Face The Music And Dance, You Forgot To Remember, Blue Skies, Cheek To Cheek, How Deep Is The Ocean?, I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm… all from the same pen!

The roster of artists could hardly be stronger: Fred Astaire, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Doris Day, Dick Haymes, Dinah Shore, Tommy Dorsey, Ruth Etting, Billie Holiday, Peggy Lee, Vera Lynn and many others, each one carefully chosen as the best interpreter for each song.

The Melody Lingers On joins five other notable double-CD tributes to the great song-writers on Retrospective: Anything Goes! – The Songs of Cole Porter, With a Song in my Heart – The Songs of Richard Rodgers (RTS 4223), That Old Arlen Magic – The Songs of Harold Arlen (RTS 4206), ’S Wonderful – The Songs of George Gershwin (RTS 4176) and Stardust – The Songs of Hoagy Carmichael (RTS 4106).

Contents:

CD1 (1911-1935)
1. Alexander’s Ragtime Band – Bessie Smith
2. When The Midnight Choo-Choo Leaves For Alabam’ – Tommy Dorsey
3. When I Lost You – Frank Sinatra
4. Play A Simple Melody – Bing & Gary Crosby
5. A Pretty Girl Is Like A Melody – Kenny Baker
6. Say It With Music – Dick Haymes
7. What’ll I Do? – Johnny Mathis
8. All Alone – Dinah Shore
9. You Forgot To Remember – Connee Boswell
10. Always – Layton & Johnstone
11. Blue Skies – Whispering Jack Smith
12. Russian Lullaby – Ella Fitzgerald
13. Shaking The Blues Away – Ruth Etting
14. The Song Is Ended But The Melody Lingers On – Whispering Jack Smith
15. Marie – Tommy Dorsey
16. Waiting At The End Of The Road – Paul Whiteman With Bing Crosby
17. Puttin’ On The Ritz – Harry Richman
18. Let Me Sing And I’m Happy – Al Jolson
19. Me! – Ruth Etting
20. Soft Lights And Sweet Music – Dick Haymes
21. Say It Isn’t So – Connee Boswell
22. How Deep Is The Ocean? – Benny Goodman With Peggy Lee
23. Heat Wave – Ethel Waters
24. Easter Parade – Bing Crosby
25. I Never Had A Chance – Greta Keller
26. No Strings – Fred Astaire
27. Isn’t This A Lovely Day? – Fred Astaire

CD2 (1935-1954)
1. Top Hat, White Tie And Tails – Fred Astaire
2. Cheek To Cheek – Fred Astaire
3. Let’s Face The Music And Dance – Fred Astaire
4. I’m Putting All My Eggs In One Basket – Fred Astaire
5. Let Yourself Go – Fred Astaire
6. This Year’s Kisses – Billie Holiday
7. I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm – Dick Powell
8. Change Partners – Fred Astaire
9. God Bless America – Kate Smith
10. I Poured My Heart Into A Song – Steve Conway
11. It’s A Lovely Day Tomorrow – Vera Lynn
12. This Is The Army, Mister Jones – Irving Berlin
13. Be Careful, It’s My Heart – Bing Crosby
14. White Christmas – Bing Crosby
15. Doin’ What Comes Natur’lly – Dinah Shore
16. The Girl That I Marry – Frank Sinatra
17. There’s No Business Like Show Business – Bing Crosby, Dick Haymes & The Andrews Sisters
18. They Say It’s Wonderful – Perry Como
19. I Got The Sun In The Morning – Doris Day
20. You Keep Coming Back Like A Song – Jo Stafford
21. A Fella With An Umbrella – Bing Crosby
22. Steppin’ Out With My Baby – Fred Astaire
23. A Couple Of Swells – Judy Garland & Fred Astaire
24. Let’s Take An Old-Fashioned Walk – Doris Day & Frank Sinatra
25. Marrying For Love – Michael Holliday
26. It’s A Lovely Day Today – Doris Day
27. You’re Just In Love – Rosemary Clooney & Guy Mitchell
28. Sisters – The Beverley Sisters