JACK KELLER SONGBOOK (3 CDs)

Some would have it that the time between the initial explosion of rock and roll and the advent of the Beatles were barren years, but that is far from the truth. The period from Buddy Holly’s death to the Beatles’ first No.1 – that is from February 1959 to February 1963 – was dominated by the young and talented New York songwriters operating in and around New York’s Brill Building. Some of the writers became famous performers in their own right but there were many other songwriters in Tin Pan Alley who also had impressive track records but remained unknown. Such a person was Jack Keller, a backroom musician who would often work with the lyricists Gerry Goffin and Howard Greenfield. He also worked with Larry Kolber, Noel Sherman and several other writers who recognised him as an effective collaborator who could come up with winsome melodies in a few minutes. This 3CD set is a fitting tribute to Jack Keller, featuring 60 of his compositions including many hit singles.

Disc 1

1. Venus In Blue Jeans – Jimmy Clanton
2. How Can I Meet Her? – The Everly Brothers
3. A Forever Kind Of Love – Bobby Vee
4. Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool – Connie Francis
5. What A Nice Way To Turn Seventeen – The Crystals
6. That’s Where My Lovin’ Goes – Conway Twitty
7. Before We Say Goodnight – The Poni-Tails
8. That’s How Much – Brian Hyland
9. Who – Gary Crosby
10. One Little Acre – George Hamilton IV
11. A Heartache Named Johnny – Jaye P. Morgan
12. It’s Unbearable – Dorothy Jones
13. Now You Know How It Feels – Wink Martindale
14. Next – Johnny O’Neill
15. When Does Friendship End And True Love Start – Debbie Stuart
16. Have A Nice Weekend – The McGuire Sisters
17. Cute And Collegiate – The Brooktones
18. A Most Impossible Dream – Dwayne Hickman
19. I’ve Got A Lot Of Things To Do – Johnny Burnette
20. Walking In The Footsteps Of A Fool – Ben E. King

Disc 2

1. Run To Him – Bobby Vee
2. Little Hollywood Girl – The Crickets
3. Yum Yum Yum – The Cinderellas
4. Seven Minutes In Heaven – Poni-Tails
5. It Started All Over Again – Brenda Lee
6. Ask Me No Questions – Carl Dobkins Jr.
7. Keep In Touch – Georgia Gibbs
8. Never Say Goodbye – Jimmy Beaumont
9. Everybody Loves A Guy Named Johnny – Cardigan Brothers
10. A Pair Of Scissors – Dean Reed
11. Just Couldn’t Resist Her With Her Pocket Transistor – Alma Cogan
12. One More Time With Billy – Anita Bryant
13. Poor Little Puppet – Jan & Dean
14. Lonely Tomorrows – Tony Orlando
15. Just Between You And Me – The Chordettes
16. The World In My Arms – Nat King Cole
17. Say Hello (Goodbye Makes Me Cry) – Cardigan Brothers
18. I’ve Got My Pride – Jack Jones
19. I Can’t Sit Down – Marie And Rex
20. Beats There A Heart So True – Perry Como

Disc 3

1. No One Can Make My Sunshine Smile – The Everly Brothers
2. Who Do You Think You Are? – The Four Lads
3. If I Didn’t Love You So Much – Babs Tino
4. Short Hair And Turtleneck Sweater – Billy Adams
5. Don’t Read The Letter – Patti Page
6. The Lovin’ Touch – Mark Dinning
7. Notify The F.B.I. – The Arena Twins
8. Love Is A Two Way Street – The Chordettes
9. He Who Laughs Last – Freda Payne
10. Give It Up – The Deb Tones
11. Wanted, One Girl – Jan & Dean
12. Fantastico – Peggy Lee
13. Please Don’t Ask About Barbara – Bobby Vee
14. My Heart Has A Mind Of Its Own – Connie Francis
15. Chills – Tony Orlando
16. He’s Got My Sympathy – Ray Adams
17. Breaking In A Brand New Broken Heart – Jean Campbell
18. One Way Ticket (To The Blues) – Neil Sedaka
19. Don’t Ask Me To Be Friends – The Everly Brothers
20. The Tiger’s Wide Awake (The Lion Sleeps Tonight) – The Romeos