Buena Vista may have released this brief domestic anthology in reaction to the proliferation of
Annette bootlegs in the years since the box set Annette: A Musical Reunion With America's Girl Next Door went out of print. The buyer's incentive with this package is the sparkling remastering job, although a number of hits and essential tracks are omitted.
Annette's second-biggest hit, "O Dio Mio," isn't here, and in general the collection concentrates on her later surf'n'sand songs instead of her early pop singles. "Train of Love" is one brilliant example of the latter, and "Let's Get Together" is
Annette's version of
Hayley Mills' hit (and one of two recordings here that did not appear on the box set). The Best of Annette is merely OK as an overview, but is adequate for fans of her beach movies who are looking for a fun and inexpensive collection. ~ Greg Adams