Though he was regarded as one of the best singers of his generation, initially rose to fame as part of a comedy act. In 1946, teamed up with funnyman , and the two were soon a sensation, headlining at nightclubs and starring in movies and TV shows built around the duo's anarchic humor. Many people believed was just the straight man who belted out a tune occasionally until he landed a recording contract with in 1953 and launched a series of hits that showed off his rich, supple baritone and his strong but playful, devil-may-care phrasing. 's popularity as a vocalist only grew after he and split up the act in 1956, and despite the rise of rock & roll, 's grown-up pop music retained its audience; 's signature hit, "Everybody Loves Somebody," even nudged ' "A Hard Day's Night" off the top of the Billboard Singles Charts in August 1964. is a two-disc set featuring 40 tracks from 's recorded catalog, and includes hits and fan favorites from his years with (1953-1963) as well as his later tenure with (1963-1978). Those looking for an introduction to 's work or an overview of his best-known recordings will find what they're looking for with this set. ~ Mark Deming