Here is the definitive collection of Johnny Mercer (1909-1976), a show-business phenomenon. Not only did he write the (usually witty, polished) lyrics for more popular songs than any other songwriter in history, as well as composing many fine numbers himself, he also founded Capitol Records in 1942 and, as a performer, his genial vocal style won him huge popularity in its own right – and 29 chart successes. In short, he was simply Too Marvelous for Words. Retrospective’s 2-CD survey presents, on the first disc, 28 of his finest creations, in each case sung by its best contemporary interpreter. He collaborates with 17 different composers, notably Harold Arlen (e.g. That Old Black Magic – Judy Garland), Hoagy Carmichael (e.g. Skylark – Dinah Shore) or Harry Warren (e.g. Jeepers Creepers – Louis Armstrong), as well as his very own songs (e.g. I’m an Old Cowhand – Bing Crosby). The second disc shines the spotlight on Johnny Mercer the singer. And what a great performer he was! Opening with a rare, superb version of his and Hoagy Carmichael’s Lazybones from 1933, the selection includes 14 of his top 20 hits. Mercer was always at his best when performing with other top personalities, and 10 duets are included with such stars as Nat King Cole, Bing Crosby, Jack Teagarden and Bobby Darin. The whole programme contains no fewer than 10 Oscar-winners or nominations (In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening, Moon River)!

Contents:

CD 1: Johnny Mercer, Songwriter
1. Too Marvelous for Words
2. Goody, Goody!
3. I’m an Old Cowhand from the Rio Grande
4. Bob White, Whatcha Gonna Swing Tonight?
5. You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby
6. Jeepers Creepers
7. And the Angels Sing
8. Day In, Day Out
9. I Thought About You
10. Fools Rush In
11. This Time the Dream’s on Me
12. The Waiter and the Porter and the Upstairs Maid
13. I Remember You
14. Tangerine
15. Skylark
16. Dearly Beloved
17. I’m Old-Fashioned
18. That Old Black Magic
19. Hit the Road to Dreamland
20. Autumn Leaves
21. Laura
22. Dream
23. Come Rain or Come Shine
24. In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening
25. The Glow-Worm
26. Something’s Gotta Give
27. Moon River
28. Days of Wine and Roses

CD 2: Johnny Mercer, Singer
1. Lazybones
2. Doctor Heckle and Mister Jibe
3. Christmas Night in Harlem
4. The Bathtub Ran Over Again
5. Small Fry
6. Mister Crosby and Mister Mercer
7. Cuckoo in the Clock
8. The Old Music Master
9. Blues in the Night
10. Ac-cent-tchu-ate the Positive
11. Candy
12. On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fé
13. It Ain’t Necessarily So
14. A Gal in Calico
15. Personality
16. One for My Baby and One More for the Road
17. Zip-a-dee-doo-dah
18. Huggin’ and a-Chalkin’
19. A Fine Romance
20. Sugar Blues
21. Save the Bones for Henry Jones
22. Baby, it's Cold Outside
23. At the Jazz Band Ball
24. She’s Shimmyin’ on the Beach Again
25. OK for TV
26. Memphis in June
27. Mississippi Mud