The Legendary Hutch - The Singles Collection 1929-47

Leslie Hutchinson, widely known as 'Hutch', was a singer and pianist, born in Grenada in the West Indies, who went to New York to study medicine but became a cabaret artist and was encouraged by British aristocrat Lady Edwina Mountbatten to move to London. He became the most popular and highly-paid entertainer of the day, performing in the ritziest venues, and becoming the darling of high society, resulting in a number of well-publicised affairs with high-profile personalities, and public scandals, which eventually damaged his career. He recorded in the UK for EMI's Parlophone and HMV labels, and this 70-track 3-CD collection comprises selected A and B sides from his releases from his heyday during these years. It includes his recordings of many of the best-known songs of the day, such as his big UK hit 'These Foolish Things' and others which went on to become Great American Songbook standards - he was particularly associated with Cole Porter and recorded songs like '(Let's Do It) Let's Fall in Love' and 'Begin the Beguine'. He was a stylish, urbane and distinctive performer, accompanying himself on piano, while also recording with orchestras, and this collection, very evocative of its era, is a fine showcase for his talents.