The Platters - The Magic Touch: An Anthology (2CD) - 1991, FLAC

A double-disc, 50-track extravaganza from one of the paragons of smooth soul, The Magic Touch: An Anthology is the most complete look at the Platters, barring only Bear Family's 1994 box set Four Platters and One Lovely Dish. Between 1955 and 1962, the quintet recorded 36 entries that reached the pop charts and they're all here, led by the ones that absolutely must be on any effective Platters compilation: "Only You (And You Alone)," "The Great Pretender," "(You've Got) The Magic Touch," "My Prayer," "Twilight Time," "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes," "Harbor Lights," and "Red Sails in the Sunset." That leaves plenty of room for the type of material collectors drool over, like the previously unreleased "Hula Hop" and a rare Tony Williams solo record ("When You Return"), plus obscure Platters versions of songs made famous by others ("The Glory of Love," "Goodnight Sweetheart, It's Time to Go," "My Old Flame," even an enjoyable stab at "Sixteen Tons"). It's all delivered in the sweetest sound heard yet, with a lengthy booklet and many superb photos. It's the ultimate Platters anthology, and it's everything this important group deserves.

CD1:
01. Only You (And You Alone)
02. Bark, Battle & Ball
03. The Great Pretender
04. I'm Just A Dancing Partner
05. (You've Got) The Magic Touch
06. Winner Take All
07. My Prayer
08. Heaven On Earth
09. Glory Of Love
10. You'll Never Never Know
11. It Isn't Right
12. I Give You My Word
13. On My Word Of Honour
14. One In A Million
15. I'm Sorry
16. He's Mine
17. My Dream
18. I Wanna
19. Only Because
20. The Mystery Of You
21. Hula Hop
22. Helpless
23. Indiff'rent
24. No Power On Earth
25. Goodnight, Sweetheart, It's Time To Go

CD2:
01. Twilight Time
02. You're Making A Mistake
03. My Old Flame
04. I Wish
05. It's Raining Outside (Chove La Fora)
06. For The First Time (Come Prima)
07. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes
08. No Matter What You Are
09. Sixteen Tons
10. Enchanted
11. Remember When
12. Where
13. Wish It Were Me
14. My Secret
15. Harbor Lights
16. Sleepy Lagoon
17. Ebb Tide
18. Red Sails In The Sunset
19. To Each His Own
20. If I Didn't Care
21. Trees
22. I'll Never Smile Again
23. When You Return
24. It's Magic
25. La Hora De Crepusculo (Twilight Time)