Joni James (Giovanna 'Joan' Carmella Babo) was born into an Italian family in Chicago on Sept. 22, 1930. As an adolescent, she studied drama and ballet, and on graduating from high school, went with a local dance group on a tour of Canada. She then took a job as a chorus girl in the Edgewater Beach Hotel in Chicago. After doing a fill-in in Indiana, she decided to pursue a singing career. Some executives at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) spotted her in a television commercial, and she was signed by MGM in 1952. Her first hit, "Why Don't You Believe Me?" sold over two million copies. She had a number of hits following that one, including "Your Cheatin' Heart" (a cover of Hank Williams' hit) and "Have You Heard?". + Informações

Released in Stereo only on a scarce 1958 stereo 45 and the 1959 album "More Joni Hits". Not even included on any of her recent CD compilations in stereo. This mix is "extreme stereo" in that the instrumentaion seems to be fully contained in the right channel while the voice mix comes from the left... still a nice rarity for Joni fans!!! Enjoy!!!. + Informações

Although best known by the version recorded by Jo Stafford, " You Belong to Me "was also recorded in 1952 by the then 22 year old Joni James. Her version can be found on the album, Dedicated to You, a collection of her early hits and other favorites released in 1991 on the Beautiful Music Company label.. + Informações

"Vaya con Dios" was written by Larry Russell, Inez James, and Buddy Peppers and is best known for its big hit version by Les Paul and Mary Ford in 1953. Joni James recorded it for her 1962 album, Joni James Country Style on MGM records. This album was paired with her 1959 MGM album, Joni James Sings Songs of Hank Williams, on a CD released by Taragon Records in 2005.. + Informações

"Red Sails in the Sunset" written by Hugh Williams and Jimmy Kennedy in 1935 is featured on Joni James' album, Like Three O'Clock In The Morning, originally released in1963 on MGM Records. Personnel include: Jimmy Haskell (arranger, conductor); Pete Jolly (piano); Howard Roberts (guitar); Ralph Penna (bass); Shelly Manne and Milt Holland (drums). It is available on CD combined with her album, After Hours on Collectors' Choice Music.. + Informações

Charted at #38 on Billboard Hot 100 in December 1960. Vocal version of the Floyd Cramer instrumental hit. A vocal version was also recorded by Skeeter Davis.. + Informações

Charted at #19 on Billboard Hot 100 in September 1958.. + Informações

Released on the 1956 album, "Let There Be Love".. + Informações

Released on the 1955 album, "When I Fall In Love". Originally a hit in the early '50's for Doris Day, this song has been recorded by many artists. Other very popular recordings include those by Nat King Cole and the Lettermen.. + Informações

Released on the 1959 album, "Joni James Sings Songs of Hank Williams". Written by and originally recorded by Hank Williams himself in 1951 and a huge hit on the country chart. On the pop chart, a recording by Tony Bennett was the biggest hit.. + Informações

Released on the 1959 album, "100 Strings and Joni". Written by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke. Originally a hit in 1940 for both the Tommy Dorsey and Glenn Miller orchestras.. + Informações

what can you find -Among My Souvenirs?. + Informações

From the CD Album "Joni Sings Irish Favorites" Music & Lyrics By Arthur Colahan. + Informações

Ill Remember April presents another aspect of the very talented Joni James jazz singer. The track comes from her album, Like 3 O'Clock in the Morning, released on MGM records in 1963. The album became available on CD in 2003 combined with another album, After Hours. Personnel are the track include: Joni James (vocals); Jimmy Haskell (arranger, conductor); Pete Jolly (piano); Howard Roberts (guitar); Raplh Penna (bass); Shelly Manne, Milt Holland (drums).. + Informações

"How Important Can It Be?" written by Bennie Benjamin and George David Weiss in 1955 was recorded that same year by Joni James on MGM and reached number 2 on the US charts. It was included in the CD, Legendary Joni James -- Platinum & Gold Hits, on the Taragon label and was used in 1997 the motion picture "LA Confidential".. + Informações

Charted at #4 on Billboard in January 1953.. + Informações

"The Song from Moulin Rouge" ("Where Is Your Heart") from the 1952 movie, Moulin Rouge, written by Georges Auric.,Jacques Larue, and William Engvick is from Je T'Aime, Joni James album of French songs recorded in 1958 and released by MGM Records. The album was made available on CD in 1998 on the Taragon label combined with the album, Ti Voglio Bene.. + Informações

Anywhere I Wander (1951) Music Written By: Frank Loesser Lyrics Written By: Frank Loesser His arms were warm as they welcomed me His eyes were a fire bright And then I knew that my path must be Through the ever haunted night, for Anywhere I wander, anywhere I roam Till I'm in the arms of my Darling again My heart will find no home Anywhere I wander, anywhere I roam His voice was, oh, such a soft caress Of love it gently told And in his smile was the tenderness I may never more behold, but Anywhere I wander, anywhere I roam Till I'm in the arms of my Darling again My heart will find no home Anywhere I wander, anywhere I roam. + Informações

From 100 Hundred Strings and Joni Released in 1959 and recorded at Abbey Road studios London Arranged by Geoff Love and Tony Osborne. Each time I see a crowd of people, Just like a fool I stop and stare, It's really not the proper thing to do, But maybe you'll be there. I go out walking after midnight, Along the lonely thoroughfare, It's not the time or place to look for you, But maybe you'll be there. You said your arms would always hold me You said your lips were mine alone to kiss, Now after all those things you told me How can it end like this? Some day if all my prayers are answered I'll hear a footstep on the stair; With anxious heart I'll hurry to the door, And maybe you'll be there Now after all those things you told me How can it end like this? Some day if all my prayers are answered I'll hear your footstep on the stair; With anxious heart I'll hurry to the door, And maybe you'll be there. + Informações

"There'll Be No Teardrops Tonight" was written by Hank Williams in 1949 and recorded by Joni James in 1959 for her MGM album, Sings Songs of Hank Williams. This album was paired with her 1962 album, Joni James Country Style, on a CD released by Taragon Records in 2005.. + Informações

"Soon", composed by George Gershwin with lyrics by Ira Gershwin from the 1927 musical, Strike Up the Band, was recorded by Joni James for her 1964 MGM LP, Joni James Sings the Gershwins. In 2003 the album became available on CD on the Collectors' Choice label, a subsidiary of Emi-Capitol, combined with the album, My Favorite Things.. + Informações

The River Seine ( La Seine), written in 1953 by Guy Lafarge and Flavien Monod, appears on Je T'Aime, Joni James album of French songs recorded in 1958 and released by MGM Records. The album was made available on CD in 1998 on the Taragon label combined with the album, Ti Voglio Bene.. + Informações

Charted at #35 on Billboard Hot 100 in December 1959. This song was a #1 hit for Kitty Kallen in 1954.. + Informações

"I Really Don't Want to Know" written by Don Robertson and Howard Barnes in 1953 was featured on Joni James 1962 album, Joni James Country Style, recorded in Nashville. It was released on a CD, Joni James Sings Songs of Hank Williams/Country Style, released on the Taragon label in 2005.. + Informações

Yours by Joni James. + Informações