Gene Pitney 18 All Time Greatest Hits CD

With his clear and highly emotionally charged singing style, Gene Pitney struck his commercial peak in the early '60s (just before the Beatles hit) with top-notch records like 1961's "Town Without Pity" and a pair of 1962 delights, "(The Man Who Shot) Liberty Valance" (pop-country crossover before there was such a thing) and "Only Love Can Break a Heart," from the Burt Bacharach/Hal David songwriting team. This set includes all of his essential hits, including the above trio of songs and the gorgeous "It Hurts to Be in Love" plus another Bacharach/David gem, "Twenty Four Hours from Tulsa." Unfortunately for Pitney, the British Invasion, Motown, and the rise of rock (as opposed to rock & roll) combined to limit any significant future chart activity for the singer. All you really need is here, along with some stuff you probably don't need. ~ Steve Leggett

Liner Note Author: Chuck Young.