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Leslie Hutchinson, widely known as “Hutch”, was a singer and pianist, born in Grenada in the West Indies, who went to New York to study medicine but became a cabaret artist and was encouraged by British aristocrat Lady Edwina Mountbatten to move to London. He became the most popular and highly-paid entertainer of the day, performing in the ritziest venues, and becoming the darling of high society, resulting in a number of well-publicised affairs with high-profile personalities, and public scandals, which eventually damaged his career. He recorded in the UK for EMI’s Parlophone and HMV labels, and this 70-track 3-CD collection comprises selected A and B sides from his releases from his heyday during these years. It includes his recordings of many of the best-known songs of the day, such as his big UK hit “These Foolish Things” and others which went on to become Great American Songbook standards - he was particularly associated with Cole Porter and recorded songs like “(Let's Do It) Let's Fall In Love” and “Begin The Beguine”. He was a stylish, urbane and distinctive performer, accompanying himself on piano, while also recording with orchestras, and this collection, very evocative of its era, is a fine showcase for his talents.
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