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Leroy Van Dyke is a country singer and guitarist who is best-known for his memorable landmark crossover pop-country hit in 1961 Walk On By, which made him a household name on both sides of the Atlantic. After a flurry of pop chart success which followed that iconic success, he became a fixture on the country scene with a string of hits through to the late 1970s. This 42-track 2-CD set focuses on the early years of his career, and comprises the A & B sides of all his singles for the Dot and Mercury labels from his 1956 debut through to the end of 1962, along with all the titles from the Mercury albums released during that period Walk On By, Movin' Van Dyke and Music from the Broadway Show All American Goes Country Style not otherwise released on singles. As well as the country No. 1 and pop and UK No. 5 Walk On By, it includes his other Top 10 country hits Auctioneer and If A Woman Answers along with his other country, pop and UK chart entries Black Cloud, and Big Man In A Big House. It showcases his distinctive talent that enabled him to straddle the increasingly blurred divide between pop and country during this era. REVIEWS “With the benefit of hindsight, Leroy Van Dyke was clearly a country singer, but with novelty cuts like The Auctioneer, and million sellers like Walk on By, he was regarded by record buyers in his 1956-1962 heyday as a quality pop artist. This double CD has a generous 42 tracks, and covers Leroy's career with US Dot and Mercury labels. He enjoyed hits on both sides of the Atlantic, and had a distinctive, and sometimes relaxing voice - if you don't include the frenetic, high speed Auctioneer in that bracket.” – John Howard (Vintage Rock Issue 43) “A double CD featuring 42 recordings, the inclusion of two songs from the Broadway Show soundtrack album 'All American Goes Country' is a nice touch.” – Howard Cockburn (Now Dig This Issue 438)
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