EMI-Capitol Special Markets'
Lost Hits series is unusual, as far as budget-line series go. Usually, budget-line collections have a few hits and a lot of filler, topping out at ten or 12 tracks.
Lost Hits contains no less than 20 tracks, and instead of relying on predictable material, the compilers have balanced underappreciated hits, cult favorites and forgotten singles from the EMI vaults, resulting in a thoroughly entertaining disc. Lost Hits of the '50s sticks to mainstream pop for most of its 20 tracks, but there are novelties (Stan Freberg's "Point of Order," "The Old Payola Roll Blues"), proto-rockabilly (Ella Mae Morse's "The Blacksmith Blues"), doo wop (the Cheers' "Bazzom (I Need Your Lovin')") and countless variations of vocal pop from
the Four Freshmen,
the Four Knights,
Kay Starr &
Tennessee Ernie Ford,
Jean Shepard and
Andy Griffith. There might not be many songs that are instantly recognizable, but that's the very reason why it's worth a gamble at this bargain price.