Features / The Weekend Stream

Last April, the Doris Day centennial celebration kicked off.  It’s since encompassed a rarities collection on CD and the vinyl premiere of Doris’ final studio album, My Heart, from Real Gone Music as well as a beautiful coffee table book from Hermes Press, various film and television screenings on Turner Classic Movies, and a flurry of charitable work benefiting the Doris Day Animal Foundation.  As a finale to the celebration, Sony’s Legacy Recordings has committed to refreshing the late superstar’s discography on all digital download and streaming services.

Last Friday, Legacy premiered the long out-of-print 2-CD collection from Doris and Les Brown and His Orchestra, The Complete Okeh and Columbia Recordings 1940-1946, to all digital platforms.  It’s just one of many releases coming from Legacy which will, collectively, make her entire Columbia catalogue – spanning 1941-1967 – available once again.  The digital campaign adds all of Doris’ Columbia singles and the full collection of her albums for the label.

The new digital offerings will be released in chronological order and are split into two main categories: singles and original albums. The singles will be grouped into 40-42 song playlists, while the core albums will be presented in their original sequences with bonus material when applicable. Playlists may be downloaded or streamed in full, or the listener can choose to mix and match individual tracks to create their own customized Doris Day compilations. Alternate takes, unreleased tracks and other rare recordings will be sprinkled throughout the series.

Producer Charles L. Granata, part of the Legacy digital team, comments in the press release, “Acknowledging Doris’ invaluable contributions to Columbia’s success from the 1940s through the 1960s and beyond, in addition to her tremendous appeal as both a vocalist and actress, is extremely important.  The focus of Doris’ artistry is what we affectionately call the American Songbook.  As tastes change over the years, these songs–and Doris’ superb interpretation of them–will always remain beloved by discriminating music lovers and serve as a master class for music artists throughout the world.”

Sony Music Entertainment has also announced that the Doris Day Animal Foundation will be presented with a RIAA Gold Record Award for her 1958 album Doris Day’s Greatest Hits.  The album was certified Gold in 1964 and has remained in print for 65 years.  It features a dozen of Day’s beloved classics including “Everybody Loves a Lover,” “It’s Magic” and the Academy Award-winning pair of “Secret Love” and “Whatever Will Be, Will Be (Que Sera Sera)” from the films Calamity Jane and The Man Who Knew Too Much, respectively.  Presentation of the award will occur at a date to be announced at Carmel, California’s Cypress Inn, the pet-friendly boutique hotel formerly co-owned by Doris.

The Complete Okeh and Columbia Recordings 1940-1946 is streaming now.  Watch the Weekend Stream for future Doris Day updates!