Marcheta, Mexicali Rose, Wimoweh & More...1

KARL DENVER was the least likely Pop star of the 60s, being exceptionally short (even with lifts in his Cuban heels), lantern-jawed, and clearly a few years older than his Press biogs would have us believe. The minuscule Glaswegian cut an incongruous figure on package tours and yet The Karl Denver Trio regularly upstaged the younger, considerably hipper and more handsome bill-toppers, night after night. Denver, whose voice could strip paint, seemed to draw on just about every known musical genre; Folk, Country, Blues, Jazz, mainstream Pop, World Music, show tunes, MOR ballads, and perhaps more. His peak years were 1961-62, during which he kick-started his career with five consecutive Top 20 singles, 'Marcheta', 'Mexicali Rose', 'Wimoweh', 'Never Goodbye' and 'A Little Love, A Little Kiss'. This compilation comprises both sides of his first seven 45rpms, plus the pick of his early LP and EP tracks, and includes most of his significant hits.