Spotlight On

Gene Pitney achieved success as a writer and performer and is one of a handful of American singers who became more fondly regarded across the Atlantic in Britain. Indeed, there are some claims that Gene also played piano on the early Rolling Stones recording sessions, such was his integration into the UK music scene. It is as a performer, however, that his legend was made, with these particular recordings dating back to his early days as a solo artist (he had originally recorded as part of the duo Jamie & Jane with Ginny Arnell). To round the album out, the original release also featured five tracks by The Newcastle Trio, something of a country act signed to the same label.