Rat Pack-era sex kitten Joey Heatherton -- daughter of "Merry Mailman" actor/singer Ray Heatherton -- was predominantly known for her Vegas-style stage act. However, she became a media fixture in the mid-'60s with numerous TV appearances ranging from the teen/dance program Hullabaloo to being a permanent fixture on Bob Hope's variety specials and overseas all-star tours of duty entertaining American troops. Perhaps taking a page from cohorts Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., and Dean Martin, this long-player consists primarily of familiar pop standards. Heatherton's reading of the Gershwin classic "Someone to Watch Over Me" -- which concluded the original ten-song platter -- is especially irresistible. Equally impressive are comparatively modern compositions including Brian Wilson's Pet Sounds (1966) era entry "God Only Knows" as well as Barry Mann/Cynthia Weil's "It's Not Easy," a criminally disregarded number cut by both Sandy Posey and Neil MacArthur. Somewhat less successful is "Shake-A-Hand," a remnant of the peace and love generation that shouldn't be confused with the R&B tune of the same name penned by Joe Morris and interpreted by the likes of Paul McCartney, Ike & Tina Turner, and Elvis Presley. Heatherton more than makes up for it with her take of Willie Nelson's "Crazy" and "I'm Sorry" -- the latter emotively besting Brenda Lee's hit version. [In addition to The Joey Heatherton Album, a Hip-O Select compilation also contained eight non-LP tracks, most notably the May of 1965 "The Hullabaloo" -- a dance inspired by the TV show. The package was rounded out with three never-before-issued recordings, the highlight being a remake of "Till There Was You" from Meredith Willson's Music Man. Heatherton was involved in every aspect of the release -- including choosing the remarkable cover art -- and Joey Heatherton (2004) was available in a limited edition of 5,000 copies exclusively through the online audio vendors at www.hip-oselect.com.]
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