The Decca "Golden Favorites" series was a series of 33 albums released from 1960 to 1964 by Decca Records. Early releases in the series compiled in album format hit songs previously released as singles by the label's past and present artists. The series included songs released on Decca and its subsidiaries, Coral Records and Brunswick Records. Some later releases in the series consisted of new recordings.
Critical reception Reviewer Carroll Lisby in 1961 described the "Golden Favorites" series as the "answer to a prayer" for those building a record collection, describing them as "a convenient means" of adding the all-time greats to one's collection. In a later review in 1963, Lisby described the expanding series as "outstanding examples of musical virtuosity" that "should appeal to a wide variety of tastes." Another reviewer, Pinckney Keel, gave "a salute" to Decca for its efforts in collecting its artists' all-time hits and described the albums as "a series of guaranteed pleasures."
The albums The first albums in the series were released in 1960, including albums collecting hit singles by The Four Aces (The Golden Hits of the Four Aces), Teresa Brewer (My Golden Favorites), the Ames Brothers (Our Golden Favorites), Jackie Wilson (My Golden Favorites), The McGuire Sisters (Our Golden Favorites), and Lawrence Welk (My Golden Favorites). The initial releases in the series also included a collection of rock, pop and doo wop hits by various artists entitled The Golden Oldies (DL4036).
A second group of albums followed in 1961 collecing hit singles of Bing Crosby ("My Golden Favorites"), the Mills Brothers, Webb Pierce (Webb Pierce's Golden Favorites), Ella Fitzgerald ("Ella's Golden Favorites"), Lenny Dee (Golden Organ Favorites), Kitty Wells and Red Foley (one solo album each and a third album featuring their duets), Sammy Kaye (Dance To My Golden Favorites, 1961), and Louis Armstrong (Satchmo's Golden Favorites, 1961),
Decca continued its "Golden Favorites" series from 1962 to 1964 with releases that included compilations by The "Original" Ink Spots (Golden Favorites, 1962), Wayne King (Golden Favorites, 1962), songs from original movie soundtracks (Golden Hollywood Themes, 1963), Lionel Hampton (Hamp's Golden Favorites, 1963), Russ Morgan (Golden Favorites, 1963), Jan Garber (Golden Waltzes From The Blue Room, 1963), and Caterina Valente (Golden Favorites, 1964).
Decca releases
The Golden Hits of the Four Aces In 1960, Decca released The Golden Hits of the Four Aces (DL 4013), a compilation is hit singles from the pop quartet, The Four Aces. The album includes the group's million-selling songs: "Love is a Many-Splendored Thing" (1955, No. 1), "Three Coins in the Fountain" (1954, No. 1), "Stranger in Paradise" (1953 No. 1 Cashbox), "Tell Me Why" (1951, No. 2), and "(It's No) Sin" (1951, No. 1 Cashbox).
Reviewer Vance Johnston in September 1960 called Golden Hits "an unbeatable combination." Another reviewer, Carroll Lisby, wrote: "If you missed thse the first time around, this is a good chance to add them to your collection. The Acs are one of the most consistent hit makers in the popular music field. Their vibrant, full-bodied singing is marked by sincerity and unfailing good taste."
Side A "Stranger in Paradise" [George Forrest, Robert Wright) "The Gang That Sang 'Heart Of My Heart'" [Ben Ryan] "Three Coins in the Fountain (song)|Three Coins in the Fountain" [Jules Styne, Sammy Cahn] 3:00 "Tell Me Why" [A. Alberts, M. Gold] 3:09 "A Garden in the Rain" [Carroll Gibbons, James Dyrenforth] 3:27 "It's A Woman's World" [C. Mockridge, S. Cahn]
B side "Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing" [F. Webster, S. Fain] 2:56 "(It's No) Sin" [R. Shull, G. Hoven] "Written on the Wind" [S. Cahn, V. Young] 2:49 "Melody of Love" [Hans Engelmann, T. Glazer] 2:45 "A Woman in Love" [Frank Loesser] 3:13 "Heart and Soul" [F. Loesser, H. Carmichael] 2:14
The Golden Oldies The initial 1960 releases in the Golden Favorites series included an album titled The Golden Oldies (DL4036), a compilation of hits from the 1950s by various artists. The album featured many of the label's early rock and doo wop hits, including "Shake Rattle and Roll", "That'll Be the Day", and "Peggy Sue".
Reviewer Carroll Lisby called it "a very listenable collection." The Los Angeles Times wrote: "Time must really be rushing by when it records by Bobby Darin, Bobby Helms, the Crickets, and Bill Haley are packaged under a title like this." Another reviewer in July 1960 questioned "for whom these are the golden oldies", and noted that the set included artists and songs that "have rated a great deal of popularity in recent years."
Side A Bill Haley & His Comets – "Shake, Rattle and Roll" Carl Dobkins Jr. – "My Heart Is an Open Book" The Dream Weavers – "It's Almost Tomorrow" Paul Evans – "I Think About You All the Time" Kalin Twins – "When" Bobby Darin and The Jaybirds – "Rock Island Line"
Side B The Crickets – "That'll Be the Day" The Mills Brothers – "Smack Dab in the Middle" Buddy Holly – "Peggy Sue" The Flamingos – "The Ladder of Love" Bobby Helms with The Anita Kerr Singers – "My Special Angel" The Shirelles – "I Met Him on Sunday"
Our Golden Favorites (The Mills Brothers) In 1961, Decca released Our Golden Favorites (DL-4084), a compilation of greatest hits by The Mills Brothers (DL4084). Reviewer Clyde Gilmour called the album called it "[a] lighthearted album of outstanding appeal."
Side A "Paper Doll" [Johnny S. Black] "I'll Be Around" [Alec Wilder] "You Tell Me Your Dream, I'll Tell You Mine" [Charles N. Daniels] "Till Then" [Seiler, Wood, Marcus] "You Always Hurt the One You Love" [Alan Roberts, Doris Fisher] "Don't Be a Baby, Baby" [Buddy Kaye, Howard Steiner]
Side B "Across the Alley From the Alamo" [Joe Greene] "Be My Life's Companion", with Sy Oliver And His Orchestra [Bob Hilliard, Milton DeLugg] "The Glow-Worm", with Hal McIntire And His Orchestra [Mercer, Robinson, Lincke] "Queen Of The Senior Prom", with Sy Oliver And His Orchestra [Penney, Richards, Lee] "Smack Dab In The Middle", with Sy Oliver And His Orchestra [Charles E. Calhoun] "Opus One, with Sy Oliver And His Orchestra [Sid Garis, Sy Oliver]
My Golden Favorites (Bing Crosby) In 1961, Decca issued My Golden Favorites by Bing Crosby (DL4086). Critic Harry Schreiner wrote: "The Old Groaner at his best with sure fire stuff." Another reviewer, Carroll Lisby, called it an "excellent sampling" and "very enjoyable listening," noting that Bing performs his biggest hits "with all the charm and warmth" that had won him such a large following.
Side A "Sweet Leilani", with Lani McIntire And His Hawaiians [Harry Owens] "Pistol Packin' Mama", featuring The Andrews Sisters, with Vic Schoen And His Orchestra [Al Dexter] "Swinging on a Star", with John Scott Trotter & His Orchestra [Jimmy Van Heusen, Johnny Burke] "Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral (That's An Irish Lullaby)", with John Scott Trotter & His Orchestra [J. R. Shannon] "Don't Fence Me In", featuring The Andrews Sisters, with Vic Schoen And His Orchestra [Cole Porter] "White Christmas", featuring The Ken Darby Singers, with John Scott Trotter & His Orchestra [Irving Berlin]
Side B "I Can't Begin to Tell You" with Carmen Cavallaro on piano [James V. Monaco, Mack Gordon] "MacNamara's Band", featuring The Jesters, with Bob Haggart & His Orchestra [Latham, Bonham, Stamford, O'Connor, Carlson] "The Whiffenpoof Song", with Fred Waring and The Glee Club [Pomeroy, Minnegerode, Galoway] "Galway Bay", with Victor Young And His Orchestra [Dr. Arthur Colahan] "Play a Simple Melody", featuring Gary Crosby and Matty Matlock's All Stars [Irving Berlin] "Now Is The Hour (Maori Farewell Song)", with The Ken Darby Choir [Clement Scott, Dorothy Stewart, Maewa Kaihau]
Red Foley's Golden Favorites In 1961, Decca released Red Foley's Golden Favorites (DL 4107), with Foley's hits singles in long-playing album format.
Side 1 "Chattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy" 2:42 "Blues in My Heart" "Shake a Hand" [Joe Morris] 2:54 "Blue Guitar" 2:33 "Salty Dog Rag" 2:51 "Smoke on the Water"
Side 2 "Sugarfoot Rag" 2:20 "Old Kentucky Fox Chase" 2:51 "Birmingham Bounce" 2:55 "Carless Kisses" 2:35 "M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I" [Bert Hanlon, Ben Ryan, Harry Tierney] 2:29 "Plantation Boogie" 2:17
Kitty Wells' Golden Favorites In 1961, Decca released Kitty Wells' Golden Favorites (DL 4108), with Wells' 1950s hits in album format.
Side 1 "Hey Joe!" 2:30 "Amigo's Guitar" 2:36 "Three Ways (To Love You)" 2:35 "Mommy for a Day" [Harlan Howard, Buck Owens] 2:25 "The Man I Used to Know" "Your Wild Life's Gonna Get You Down" 2:35
Side 2 "Left to Right" [Lorene Mann] "Repenting" [Gary Walker] "I'll Always Be Your Fraulein" "Jealousy" "I Can't Stop Loving You" "All the Time"
Kitty Wells' & Red Foley's Golden Favorites In 1961, Decca released the album Kitty Wells' & Red Foley's Golden Favorites consisting of six duets by Kitty Wells and Red Foley along with three solo track by each artist (DL 4109).
The six duets were previously released as hit singles but were assembled for the first time here in album format. The duets are: "One by One" (Juke Box #1, 1954), "I'm a Stranger in My Home" (Jockey #12, 1954), "As Long As I Live" (Juke Box #3, 1955), "Make Believe" (Jukebox #6, 1955), "You and Me" (Juke Box #3, Jockey #3, 1956), and "No One But You" (Best Seller flip, Juke Box flip, 1956).including six duets and three individual performances by each artist)
Side 1 "One by One", Wells & Foley duet, written by Jack Anglin, Jim Anglin and Johnnie Wright "Just Call Me Lonesome", Foley, written by Rex Griffin "As Long as I Live", Wells & Foley duet, written by Roy Acuff "A Wedding Ring Ago", Wells solo, written by Tillman Franks & Claude King "Make Believe (Till We Can Make It Come True)", Wells & Foley duet, written by Billy Walker "Candy Kisses", Foley solo, written by George Morgan
Side 2 "You and Me", Wells & Foley duet, written by Jack Anglin, Jim Anglin and Johnnie Wright "Memory of a Love", Wells solo, written by Bill Phillips "I'm a Stranger in My Home", Wells & Foley duet, written by Red Foley, Pee Wee King, Redd Stewart "I'm Throwing Rice (At the Girl That I Love)", Foley solo, written by Eddy Arnold, Ed Nelson Jr., and Steve Nelson "No One but You", Wells & Foley duet, written by Eddie Smith "I'm Counting On You", Wells solo, written by Don Robertson
Webb Pierce's Golden Favorites In 1961, Decca released Webb Pierce's Golden Favorites (DL 4110).
Side A "Honky Tonk Song" [Buck Peddy, Mel Tillis] "Missing You" [Dale Noe, Red Sovine] "Bye Bye, Love" [ Felice and Boudleaux Bryant ] "Someday" [ Sonny Curtis, Webb Pierce] "Why Baby Why", with Red Sovine [ George Jones ] "How Long" [Webb Pierce]
Side B "I'm Tired" [A. R. Peddy, Mel Tillis, Ray Price ] "All I Need Is You" [ Marijohn Wilkin, Wayne Walker, Webb Pierce] "New Panhandle Rag" [ Leon McAuliffe, Webb Pierce] "Any Old Time" [ Jimmie Rodgers ] "Shanghied" [Marijohn Wilkin, Mel Tillis] "A Thousand Miles Ago" [Mel Tillis, Webb Pierce]
Golden Organ Favorites (Lenny Dee) In 1961, Decca released Golden Organ Favorites (DL 4112), an album compiling the hits of organist Lenny Dee.
Side A "April In Paris" [E. Y. Harburg, Vernon Duke] 3:37 "Twilight Time" [Al Nevins, Artie Dunn, Buck Ram, Morty Nevins] 3:58 "White Silver Sands" [Charles G. Matthews] 3:20 "Mr. Lucky" [Henry Mancini] 2:18 "The Happy Organ" [David Clowney, James Kriegsmann, Ken Wood] 2:20 "Tico Tico" [Zequinha Abreu] 2:18
Side B "Patricia, It's Patricia" [Bob Marcus, Perez Prado] 2:12 "The Jitterbug Waltz" [Fats Waller] 3:24 "Honky Tonk" [Bill Doggett, Billy Butler, Clifford Scott, Shep Shephard] 3:54 "Tequila" [Chuck Rio] 2:57 "You Can't Be True, Dear" [Gerhard Ebeler, Hal Cotton, Hans Otten, Ken Griffen] 2:48 "Plantation Boogie" [Lenny Dee] 2:27
Ernest Tubb's Golden Favorites