Rod McKuen

Real Gone's expanded edition of The Greatest Hits of Rod McKuen is joined by the world premiere CD release of the singer-songwriter's 1970 album New Ballads. Rod teamed with renowned arranger-conductor Don Costa for this remarkable collection of songs including "As I Love My Own," the dramatic Jacques Brel collaboration "I'm Not Afraid," "Thank You for Christmas," and a composition which could have been McKuen's credo: "Hit 'Em in the Head with Love." New Ballads showcases many of McKuen's favorite lyrical themes supported by Costa's lush, elegant orchestrations worthy of his work with Sinatra. It's no wonder that this 15-track album became among McKuen's most successful; it's a cohesive and timeless collection that proved why he earned his spot among the premier singer-songwriters on the venerable Warner Bros. label. The Second Disc's Joe Marchese has written the liner notes for the deluxe booklet, and Mike Milchner has again remastered.