To jazz aficionados, trumpeter Bobby Hackett might be best known for a long history of projects that include his marvelous longtime relationship with trombonist Vic Dickenson, which led to a number of splendid small-group recordings. Hackett had many sides, not the least of which was his affinity for clear, lovely melodies, which he sang through his horn like a young robin chirping in the early morn. Simply put, the trumpeter had a knack for performing tunes from the American songbook with a deep clarity rarely, if ever, equaled. This gorgeous five-disc set collects all ten LPs made by Hackett for Capitol records between 1953 and 1959. These were the Eisenhower years in America, a time when a certain self-satisfaction endured, when conformity reigned, and everything seemed -- at least on the surface -- just right. Hackett's recordings for Capitol reflected the era perfectly. More in the style of easy listening than jazz, Hackett's luscious tone mesmerizes with its subtlety, its exquisite delicacy, and its fine sense of tonal center. Among the sidemen on these discs are Lou Stein, Dick Carey (who performs splendidly on Eb horn), Milt Hinton, Dave McKenna, Cutty Cutshall, and Bob Wilbur. Considering the talent represented, there is little in the way of first-rate jazz improvisation. In its place, though, are some of the most beautiful sounds you are likely to hear on disc, the wondrous tones of a premier stylist whose plush, rich, creamy voice speaks to the heavens with every note.
1-1 Soft Lights And Sweet Music 2:05
1-2 Bobby's Blues 2:46
1-3 I Cried For You (Now It's Your Turn To Cry Over Me) 2:25
1-4 You Turned The Tables On Me 2:24
1-5 Under A Blanket Of Blue 2:45
1-6 How About You? 2:52
1-7 Easy To Love 2:12
1-8 That Old Black Magic 3:01
1-9 Someday You'll Be Sorry 2:32
1-10 The Song Is You 2:41
1-11 It's All Right With Me 3:25
1-12 Sleep 2:32
1-13 Serenade In Blue 3:21
1-14 Deep Night 2:50
1-15 In A Sentimental Mood 3:06
1-16 Lazy River 3:00
1-17 Carefree 2:38
1-18 Mood Indigo 3:31
1-19 Get Out Of Town 2:10
1-20 All Through The Night 3:47
1-21 Stars In My Eyes 2:14
1-22 Rain 2:53
1-23 Flamingo 3:05
1-24 You're My Thrill 3:11
1-25 Isn't It Romantic 2:55
1-26 If You Were The Only Girl In The World 3:06
1-27 Together 2:32
2-1 You Are Too Beautiful 3:02
2-2 Thank You For A Lovely Evening 2:36
2-3 Autumn Nocturne 2:34
2-4 Cocktails For Two 2:56
2-5 When I'm With You 3:06
2-6 We Kiss In A Shadow 3:05
2-7 Two Cigarettes In The Dark 2:33
2-8 The Very Thought Of You 2:32
2-9 The Way You Look Tonight 2:30
2-10 Moonlight Becomes You 3:12
2-11 Love Me 3:04
2-12 One Kiss 2:24
2-13 My Heart Stood Still 2:48
2-14 Ev'rything I Love 2:51
2-15 Moonlight Serenade 3:17
2-16 Put Your Dreams Away 2:37
2-17 Softly As In A Morning Sunrise 2:52
2-18 Wonderful One 2:57
2-19 Zigeuner 2:23
2-20 Don't Take Your Love From Me 3:21
2-21 Autumn Serenade 2:52
2-22 If I Had A Million Dollars 2:38
2-23 A Handful Of Stars 3:16
2-24 Street Of Dreams 2:33
2-25 The Thrill Is Gone 3:44
3-1 At The Jazz Band Ball 2:46
3-2 Lazy Mood 3:58
3-3 Wolverine Blues 2:40
3-4 The Continental 2:37
3-5 Rose Room 3:17
3-6 In A Little Spanish Town 2:37
3-7 Cornet Chop Suey 2:38
3-8 Caravan 3:16
3-9 Tin Roof Blues 5:30
3-10 Albatross 2:57
3-11 Henry Hudson 2:40
3-12 It Don't Mean A Thing 3:06
3-13 Paradise 2:46
3-14 Spring, Beautiful Spring 2:37
3-15 C'est Magnifique 2:21
3-16 I'll See You In My Dreams 2:30
3-17 It's Been So Long 2:15
3-18 That Naughty Waltz 2:07
3-19 Cheek To Cheek 2:48
3-20 If I Had My Way 2:38
3-21 My Monday Date 2:17
3-22 If You Were There 2:21
3-23 All Of You 2:14
3-24 Rosalie 2:05
4-1 Bernie's Tune 2:39
4-2 The Lady Is A Tramp 2:01
4-3 Michelle 3:07
4-4 You Stepped Out Of A Dream 2:36
4-5 Stompin' At The Savoy 2:53
4-6 Swing That Music 2:10
4-7 Stereoso 2:47
4-8 Undecided 2:25
4-9 Don't Be That Way 2:53
4-10 Kahakalau 2:09
4-11 High Society 2:10
4-12 It Don't Mean A Thing 2:18
4-13 I'm In The Market For You 3:09
4-14 Embraceable You 3:19
4-15 Mr. Wonderful 2:35
4-16 'Tis Autumn 3:05
4-17 Take The A Train 3:05
4-18 Bright Eyes 2:37
4-19 Too Close For Comfort 3:19
4-20 Anytime, Anday, Anywhere 2:52
4-21 What's New? 4:23
4-22 C'est Fini 2:59
4-23 Prelude To A Kiss 3:22
4-24 Sleepy Lagoon 2:51
5-1 Good-Bye Blues 2:32
5-2 Weary Blues 2:49
5-3 Sugar Blues 3:13
5-4 Blues In The Night 3:32
5-5 Baker's Keyboard Blues 2:51
5-6 Wang Wang Blues 2:38
5-7 Limehouse Blues 2:41
5-8 Davenport Blues 2:57
5-9 Blues In My Heart 2:44
5-10 Alcoholic Blues 2:45
5-11 Bye Bye Blues 1:22
5-12 Blues With A Kick 2:53
5-13 Kohala March 2:01
5-14 Orchids From Hawaii 1:53
5-15 Song Of The Islands 3:01
5-16 Hawaii Swings 2:58
5-17 On The Beach At Waikiki 2:15
5-18 Robby-San 3:12
5-19 Ku Nei 2:57
5-20 Maui Chimes 2:06
5-21 Hapa Haole Hula Girl 2:28
5-22 Puamana (Sea Breeze) 2:36
5-23 Soft Sands 2:29
5-24 Aloha Oe 2:16
