We have chosen to address that career with two 5-CD collections, of which this is the first (“Smoke Gets In Your Eyes - The Hits Collection Vol. 2 1928-54” Acrobat ACFCD7522 is the other one). This 113-track 5-CD set comprises all the titles listed as hits, all of them on the Victor label, from his 1920 debut through to the end of 1927. It includes no less than twenty-three No. 1s including the classic songs “Whispering”, “What’ll I Do”, “Birth of The Blues”, “My Blue Heaven”, “In A Little Spanish Town”, “Somebody Loves Me” and “Among My Souvenirs) The Japanese Sandman”. There are performances by a number of featured vocalists including Bing Crosby, Jack Fulton, Charles Gaylord, Austin Young, Lewis James and more, plus a piano solo by George Gershwin. It’s a substantial and comprehensive overview of the hits from his early career, and a great showcase for his highly successful style.