Download Sony BMG’s Top 20 hit album “The Magic of Doris Day” for under £4UKP!

In 2007, we reported how the British division of Columbia/Sony BMG released an all-new compilation “The Magic Of Doris Day” featuring Doris Day’s biggest & best loved songs plus a couple rare recordings from the 1970s. All recordings were digitally re-mastered from Columbia’s original master tapes (not vinyl LPs!).

The ‘TV Advertised’ album was conceived by the American producer Jim Pierson who was responsible for all of Doris Day’s TV show DVDs. Soon after its release the album became a hit on the UK ‘Top 20′ album chart (also charting in Australia!).

The good news for Doris Day fans living in the United Kingdom is Sony BMG have recently issued it to digital-download. The 22-track compilation is now available to download from amazon.co.uk for less £4UKP. If you live overseas you will not have access to UK music downloads but can still order the best-selling CD release which amazon.co.uk is selling for under £5UKP (approx. $8USD).

One very important point to make. Only the releases made by Columbia/Sony BMG or companies which specifically have licensed the songs from Sony BMG (e.g. The Bear Family, Collectors Choice Music or Collectables) get access to the original Columbia master tapes. Most of  the budget-priced ‘Doris Day’ CD collections you will find for sale online for just a few pounds or dollars are likely cashing in on current EU/Australian law which allows anyone to release recordings which are now considered in the “Public Domain” i.e. recordings which were first released over 50 years ago. This explains why the music market is flooded with CDs or downloads of only Doris Day’s earlier work (pre-1959/60).

Our big grievance with this situation is that Doris Day, the lady whose beautiful voice made the songs so divine will not receive a penny from any such “Public Domain” release. This, in our view, is fundementally wrong as any recording artist deserves to benefit from their craft. Furthermore, this site has randomly tested over 10 of these “Public Domain” releases and found that the companies ripped the songs poorly from old Vinyl LPs – so the sound quality is seriously substandard!

The “Public Domain” law is currently under review after stars such as the chart-topping British pop singer Sir Cliff Richard, whose career began in the 1950s, challenged its principle. Time will tell if individual governments around the world decide to extend their copyright laws but the hope is more will follow the United State of America’s 95-year rule!

To help you sift out the “bad from the good” this site has compiled an amazon.com aStore which contains reviews on many lovely “official” Doris Day releases.

The Magic of Doris Day
Label: Sony BMG UK
Order on CD & download

1. Whatever Will Be, Will Be (Que Sera, Sera)
2. Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps (Quizas, Quizas, Quizas)
3. Move Over, Darling
4. Pillow Talk
5. Teacher’s Pet
6. Bewitched, Bothered & Bewildered (c)
7. When I Fall In Love
8. It’s Magic (1952 version)
9. Lullaby Of Broadway (a)
10. Secret Love
11. The Deadwood Stage
12. The Black Hills Of Dakota
13. A Very Precious Love
14. Everybody Loves A Lover
15. Love Me Or Leave Me
16. Fly Me to the Moon (In Other Words)
17. Dream A Little Dream Of Me
18. Close Your Eyes (b)
19. You’ll Never Walk Alone
20. Sentimental Journey (with Les Brown & His Orchestra)
21. 21. Secret Love / Who Will Buy? / 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy) (Previously Unreleased)
22. 22. The Way We Were (Previously Unreleased)

(a) with Harry James / (b) with Andre Previn Trio / (c) with The Mellowmen