First Name Initial - All Her Chart Hits And More ORIGINAL RECORDINGS REMASTERED SET

These are the original Disneyland/Vista recordings. The sound quality is excellent.The nice folks at Jasmine, one of the Premiere Reissue labels to emerge in the last few decades have put together a "must have" package for all the Annette Funicello Fans out there. This two-disc set gathers together Annette's first four Vista LPs, ANNETTE; ANNETTE Sings ANKA; HAWAIIANNETTE and ITALIANETTE and adds three bonus tracks,thereby encompassing all 12 of her Billboard Hot 100 hits along with most of the B-sides.ANNETTE, her first LP, is a collection of all her early hits including: How will I know my Love?" (Cashbox #55); "Tall Paul" (Billboard #7); "Lonely Guitar" (#50); "Jo-Jo the Dog-Faced Boy" (#73)(This is the original single version) and "My Heart Became of Age" (#74). b-sides include "Ma, he's makin' eyes at me"; "Don't jump to conclusions"; "Love me forever"; "It took dreams" and the non-charting singles: "Wild Willie" & "That crazy place from outer space"ANNETTE sings ANKA was her highest charting LP reaching #21 on the LP charts. It was conceived when Annette was dating fellow Teen Idol PAUL ANKA. It features the hits "Train of Love" (The LP mix) and "Talk to Me Baby" (#92). The b-side "I Love you Baby" registered on the Cashbox charts at #98. The album also includes Annette's only "bad girl" recording, "Hey mama" which Paul adapted from his title song written for the mamie Van Doren Movie "Girl's Town" in which he also appeared. Other songs of interest are "Teddy" (covered by Connie Francis, this became a top 20 hit); "Lonely Boy" (Annette's cover of Paul's number one hit "Lonely Boy"); "I love you" (sung in "Girl's Town" by Cathy Crosby), and "It's really Love (The Tonight Show Theme".HAWAIIANNETTE - ANNETTE Sings songs of Hawaii - was also a hit on the LP charts reaching #38 and includes her #11 hit "Pineapple Princess". This album also includes the non-charting singles "Hukilau Song" and "Hawaiian Love Talk" a/k/a "Hawaiiannette" along with the b-side "Blue Muu Muu" which bubbled under the Hot 100 at #107. The album also includes Annette's takes on the Hawaiian inspired standards "Blue Hawaii", "Now is the Hour" and "My Little Grass Shack".ITALIANETTE - Annette sings songs with an Italian flavor - contains Annettes final chart hit "Dream Boy" (#87) and has never been available on CD in its entirety. It includes the b-side "Please, please, Signore". Italianette also includes the Italian-American standards "That's Amore", There's no Tomorrow" and "Lucky, Lucky, Lucky Me".The bonus tracks are the single version of "Train of Love" (#36) which has never been on CD, the single (english language) version of "O Dio Mio", also not on CD before (#10) and the title track of this CD set "First Name Initial" (#20).These albums were conceived at a time when rock'n roll was new and possibly a fad that would not last, so the material is more "1950's" (1940's-1930's) in flavor. Heard today these LPs have a quaint charm and, of course, there was only one Annette. The songs have been beautifully re-mastered and have a depth and clarity I have not heard on any other compilation, not even the boxed set.Even if you already own another Annette compilation, this is the one you have been waiting for.The handful of tracks that have been issued in stereo are the same tracks that were issued in stereo on the collection A MUSICAL REUNION.The only disappointment for me is the fact that there is nothing here from Annette's Beach Party Years. Believe it or not, Annette recorded for Vista for a full decade, so there's a lot of material still in the vaults at Disney.There are at least 7 more Annette LPs begging to be re-released. Dance Annette; Annette's Beach Party; Muscle Beach Party; Annette at Bikini Beach; Annette's Pajama Party; Annette sings Golden Surfin' Hits and "Something Borrowed, Something Blue". The last six LPs were released in stereo when they were on Vinyl.

Discovered by Disney, Annette from NY began her career on The MM Club. Disney signed her to a recording contact after telling him - I'm not a singer. Camaratti, the musical director for the studio, had Annette record her voice twice for strength and went on to have 10 top hits on the charts . Her music still stands the test of time because of the fabulous musical arrangements the studio band created for her. Another plus was The Sherman Brothers (Mary Poppins) who wrote hits for Annette and gave her all sorts os musical styles from R'n R to Latin rhythms to ballards that prompted Paul Anka to write a Complete album for her that the studio purchased and this CD contains all those songs including the hits "Train Of Love" and the haunting "Talk To Me Baby." Also here is the smash single "First Name Initial," not found on any L P's until her history album "The story Of My Teens" came out after her marriage to agent Jack Gulardi. Annette was a sweet woman who did something she didn't think she could do and I treasured her visits to New Orleans as Grand Marshal for The Italian French Quarter parade in the '80's. others treasures is the Italian flavored hit "O Dio Mio" and "Dream Boy." Annette also had a big hit "Pineapple Princess" included in this re-mastered Collection of pure listening pleasure. Enjoy a phenomenon who went on to star in several successful "Beach Party" musicals- all wholesome fun for all to watch! God Bless Annette who now suffers with MS.

I can't stop playing this music because it makes me happy! I always wanted to be just like Annette and if I could not be like her, I would have chosen Haley Mills. But, Annette was my idol and I did my best to emulate her, I even started wearing the little neck scarves that she often wore. But, back to her music: her voice is so wonderful on these CDs and some of the songs are quite sophisticated with an amazing equally sophisticated band. I love her voice and she is very good! There is nothing Annette could not do, everything she did,she did well and with good taste. I am very saddened by her passing and how she suffered--she did not deserve to live her last days like that. Love you, Annette.....

i am in my 60s and in australia i have not seen anything on c.d. i am very pleased with the c.d as i never knew she had recorded so much plus she had the best mickey mouse ears on t.v s mickey mouse club i hope she is doing well with her illness as we dont hear much in australia about her jack darby

I received this CD in perfect condition. It arrived brand new and sealed. I have always loved listening to the girl singers of the 50's and 60's - and Annette has been my very favorite female singer from those years. Her songs have such a sweetness and innocence to them which makes them such a pleasure to listen to. You get all the songs from Annette's first 4 albums on these 2 cd's. I would highly recommend this 2 cd set to anyone who enjoys this type of music. Many of these songs are appearing on cd for the first time. These songs will have you singing along and you will be so happy you purchased this.

I myself grew up with Annette Funicello music and movies.She was always a clean cut chick the kind of woman you respect.Muscle Beach Party was her first movie i went to and i was one of the first 100 lucky people at the the drive in to recieve a copy of Muscle Beach Part on a 45 RPM record which came in a pictured sleeve.Its been long gone but i can still picture it.Annettes new cd is really excellent sound quality i believe her first albums are in order on the cd a light went on immediately before i purchased it on amazon.Annette fans PLEASE purchase this cd it is really super!

love the music

Great selection of Annnettes music

This 2CD album by Annette Funicello,has all her early and famous hits.A good listen for fans of the MOUSEKETEERS,which brings back many fond memories.I enjoyed it

2枚組の本CDは、アネットのデビュー・アルバムから4枚目のアルバムまでの全曲48曲に、シングル曲3曲を加えた全51曲が収録されています。アネットのホット100以内のヒット曲は全てこの時期のものですので、本CDにて聴くことが可能です。Disc-101～12　「Annette」（Buena Vista　BV-3301　1959年）13～24　「Annette Sings Annka」（Buena Vista BV-3302　1960年）Disc-201～12　 「Hawaiiannette」（Buena Vista　BV-3303　1960年）13～24　 「Italiannette」（Buena Vista　BV-3304　1960年）25　　　　Buena Vista Single（F-349　1959年）26　　　　Buena Vista Single（F-354　1960年）27　　　　Buena Vista Single（F-359　1960年）Hit SongsDisc-101.「Tall Paul」（1959年7位）04.「Lonely Guitar」（1959年50位）07.「Jo Jo The Dog-Faced Boy」（1959年73位）20.「Talk To Me Baby」（1960年92位）Disc-202.「Pineapple Princess」（1960年11位）19.「Dream Boy」（1961年87位）25.「First Name Initial」（1959年20位）26.「O Dio Mio」（1960年10位）27.「Train Of Love」（Single Version　1960年36位）この時期のアネットの音源は全てモノーラル録音ですので本CDもモノーラルですが、音質は普通です。

Annette accomplished much in a very few years as a teenage star and part of the Disney empire. Her sings from the beach party movies were that of a different era where fun and looking to a bright future were common place. I was saddened with her health struggles in her latter Yeats but was also lifted by her positive and contagious attitude. These songs reflect the strength she had her entire life and the joy she brought to any who watched and listened

I must confess that Annette rather passed under my radar originally- I was aware of her involvement with Paul Anka, and her films, but not much awareness of her music. This is a comprehensive coverage (presumably) of her musical output, and it is exactly what I expected. Some of the tracks I found to be rather insipid, but I was impressed by her renditions of many of the Anka songs. Once again, good value for the number of songs on these CDs.