Composer and arranger is perhaps best known for his work with lyricist . The pair practically unleashed an entire subgenre of pop music beginning in the late '50s. After racking up numerous hits for other folks -- notably female vocalists stateside and in England -- the artist began exploring his considerable back catalog. While living in London in the early '60s, recorded his first collection of songs, aptly titled (1965). As the package was issued under the moniker, many thought that the tunes would actually feature him singing and playing. Instead, the slightly updated arrangements are scored for a decidedly more discerning and mature ear. Although listeners would never know it by the practically ersatz interpretations, future members and mid-'60s London recording session musicians and were contributors to the likes of In the context of those familiar melodies, some of the second-tier selections, such as are among the most memorable. became just that in the U.K., as the album rocketed into the Top Ten and the single took off after being aired on , eventually spending 11 weeks on the charts. The unqualified success didn't translate stateside, even though the package was reissued -- with some slight modifications -- twice, first as (1965) and then several years later as (1969). Nearly four decades later, was included -- along with a rare mono version of from the same time frame -- as part of the limited-edition five-disc (1994) box set. ~ Lindsay Planer