Gene Pitney

With his clear and highly emotionally charged singing style, Gene Pitney struck his commercial peak in the early '60s (just before the Beatles hit) with top-notch records like 1961's "Town Without Pity" and a pair of 1962 delights, "(The Man Who Shot) Liberty Valance" (pop-country crossover before there was such a thing) and "Only Love Can Break a Heart," from the Burt Bacharach/Hal David songwriting team. This set includes all of his essential hits, including the above trio of songs and the gorgeous "It Hurts to Be in Love" plus another Bacharach/David gem, "Twenty Four Hours from Tulsa." Unfortunately for Pitney, the British Invasion, Motown, and the rise of rock (as opposed to rock & roll) combined to limit any significant future chart activity for the singer. All you really need is here, along with some stuff you probably don't need. ~ Steve Leggett, All Music Guide