My Best To You! - Connie Francis

 

Terra Straniera

My Best To You!

Connie Francis

MGM Records 91143

1968

Connie Francis performs 29 glowing songs that display her internationally acclaimed talent.

From the inside cover: Scholar Versus Singer

Connie had already cut several singles. None had really caught fire. On the other hand, she was an honor student and scholarship recipient – ideally suited, it would seem, for the arduous studies required for a medical scholar.

Her father suggested a change of material – an older song with a contemporary beat. So, in November of 1957, Connie recorded a new single, Who's Sorry Now. Soon afterward the record sold over 1,000,000 copies.

Today Connie is a glamorous and sophisticated lady – a truly regal star of the entertainment world. Two reasons for her popularity stand out: outstanding talent and great choice of material. Here on this deluxe two-record set is a wealth of songs exemplifying all of Connies's talents.

An International Star

Recognition of her star status is not limited to this country. She is loved throughout the world. One of her most treasured experiences occurred in July of 1963 when Connie was honored with the request to give a "command performance" before Queen Elizabeth.

Connie's world-wide following is attested to by the fact that she has recorded songs in eight languages, including English, Spanish, Italian, Hebrew and German. She has over 30 albums to her credit and is in constant demand for public appearances.

Even as a child, Connie loved to sing and to entertain. At the age of three, Connie was fascinated by her father's concertina playing. Because of her precocious musical interest, her father brought her an accordion. Soon she was performing at church benefits, hospitals and family gathering, all but hidden by the huge, gleaming instrument. And when she played, she sang.

Connie's First Big Break

At 11, Connie got her first big break – on Arthur Godfrey's annual Christmastime version of his Talent Scout's show. The enthusiastic audience response to that appearance resulted in an audition for a juvenile TV variety show, "Star Time," produced by George Scheck.

"At first," recalls Connie, "Mr. Scheck didn't want to audition me. He had already listened to so many singers that he wasn't interested in hearing any more. Then, my father, who was with me, mentioned that I also played the accordion. That intrigued Mr. Scheck sufficiently to arrange an audition for me the next day." Thus began one of the most successful and enduring relationship in show business. Scheck not only hired Connie for his program, but was so impressed with her that he persuaded her parents to let him become Connie's manager. He was convinced that she had the potential for big-time stardom. His perspicacity was amply rewarded, for to this day Scheck still guides Connie's career.

An Overnight Celebrity

At 17, Connie signed her first recording contract. Following the tremendous success of Who's Sorry Now, Connie found herself an overnight celebrity. She had become a star not only in America, but throughout the entire world. Connie toured the United States, then swept through Australia, New Zeland, South Africa and Europe. The world was at her feet.

As Connie's popularity grew, fans recognized that she was blessed with more than a remarkable voice. It became clear that she was one of the most glamorous female vocalists of her time. Connie's svelte good looks and sophistication were heralded wherever she performed. Critics and audiences alike recognized the fact that Connie Francis was not only a songstress of exceptional talent, but a young woman of striking attractiveness, as well. Night club impresarios across the nation eagerly sought Connie's appearance in such top clubs as New York's famed Copacabana, Las Vegas' exciting Sahara, and Miami's exotic Eden Roc.

Offers From Hollywood

In each club appearance Connie made new conquests among critics as well as audiences. Fan clubs sprang up across the nation as she attracted new fans by the thousands. It was inevitable that Hollywood would begin wooing Connie. In 1961, she agreed to appear in MGM's "Where The Boy's Are." The film quickly became an international hit and a box office bonanza, so a sequel film, "Follow The Boys," was rushed into production. When this motion picture also scored a big success, Connie's fans rejoiced in the fact that their singing idol was now a movie star as well.

This Is You Life

1961 was a momentous year for Connie in many ways. Utilizing the same talent that made her editor of her high school newspaper, Connie wrote her first book. "For Every Young Heart." Public demand was so great that an additional soft cover printing resulted. And during the same year, Ralph Edwards reviewed her life on "This Is Your Life." As if all this were not enough excitement for any single year, the CBS-TV "Person To Person" program visited Connie. Later she starred on her one TV special.

Since that time Connie has acknowledged a cascading torrent of awards and citations. A sampling includes eight gold records signifying sales of 1,000,000 each; the title of "Queen Of Hearts" from the American Heart Association for fund-raising charity work; five citations from the popular "American Bandstand" program naming her "Best Singer Of The Year," certificates from Billboard, Cashbox, Music Vendor and Music Reporter certifying her as "most programmed" female vocalist on disc jockey programs; Playboy's Gold Medal Award as "Best Female Vocalist Of The Year." Radio Luxembourg's Golden Lion Award as "Most Programmed Vocalist" – male or female – on the European continent; a certificate from Japan, in Japanese, naming her "Japan's Favorite American Singer;" announcement by the Custom Clothiers Association of America that Connie is "among the nation's best dressed and most impeccably groomed women" – the list of Connie's plaudits goes on endlessly.

A Glamorous Young Lady

Connie is one-of-a-kind combination of looks, talent and business acumen. A singularly perceptive young lady, she is an astute manager of her own business affairs, in addition to her more artistic accomplishments. IN the fascinating world of show business and internationally famous performers, Connie reigns as one of the most alluring young ladies of the day. She has emerged from her teens into glamorous young womanhood, and her fast paced daily schedule attests to that fact. Connie's life is a dizzying merry-go-round of TV, nightclub and concert appearances as well as foreign tours, rehearsals, costume fitting and – to the delight of her multitudinous fans – recording sessions.

Here, in this two-record set of her most popular hits, Connie celebrates her tenth anniversary with MGM Records. With these unforgettable selections, Connie projects her every mood, from the pensive magic of The Shadow Of Your Smile to the up-beat excitement of Ma (He's Makin' Eyes At Me), from the majestic Somewhere, My Love to the impassioned Forget Domani. Connie is here to entertain you with all her haunting loveliness. So place your phonograph needle into the groove and settle back to listen to the thrilling voice of one of the world's most appealing female vocalists.

Who's Sorry Now

Dance My Trouble Away

Three Coins In The Fountain

It's A Great Day For The Irish

La Violetera

My Happiness

Stardust

The Second Time Around

April Love

High Noon

Forget Domani

The Shadow Of Your Smile

Three O'Clock In The Morning

Ma (He's Makin' Eyes At Me)

Siboney

Somewhere My Love

Love Is A Many Splendor Thing

La Bamba

Terra Straniera

So Long, Good-Bye