20th Century Popular Singer CD Box Sets---for under 10 bucks?

As a professional musician, I'm sometimes asked for recommendations on starting or building a music collection, specifically for iPods.  So, today I thought we'd look at some CD box sets of some of the great pop singers of the last century.  I know, I know...CD's are so--well--"last century".  I know we're supposed to get all our music from iTunes now, but as nearly anyone with rudimentary computer knowledge can tell you, it's just about as easy to simply buy a discounted CD and upload it to your iTunes, then your iPod, rather than shelling out the 99 cents to $1.39 per song on iTunes.  Plus, I continue to find that iTunes is not all that comprehensive when it comes to some of the older "pop" music--from the 1920's through the 1950's.  So I scoured Amazon for discounted "box sets" of some of my favorite singers, specifically "career overview" collections, in case you're trying to build an instant collection (or create one for someone else....Valentine's idea?).  So, in no particular order, here are some of the best deals I found.  I specifically set the top price limit at $10 a set (plus $2.98 shipping/handling).  The prices I'm quoting are "as of today" and fluctuate regularly, depending on supply/demand, so expect to see some variance for "used" copies.  If you're only buying them for upload purposes, there's no real need for a brand new one, right? (plus, after all these years, I STILL haven't figured out the "easy" way to open CD packaging, so I'll take the used one!).  So, here are the Top-12 deals I was able to find.
Click on the TITLE of the CD in the Amazon box below each description for further details and ordering information:


Barbra Streisand:  If you're a Streisand fan, chances are you already own this collection, Barbra Streisand:  Just For the Record, which remains her most comprehensive career collection, going all the way back to her very first recording she made in 1955 in a Brooklyn recording booth when she was 13, singing "You'll Never Know".  It's a 4-disc, 76-track collection and it's the best you're going to find.  Unbelievably, you can get it used at Amazon for only $5.30!  This would be my "best deal of the day". 


Best Amazon price (Used-w/shipping):  $8.28
iTunes price:  $34.99





Dean Martin:  Here's a solid, fairly comprehensive overview of some of Dean's greatest hits ("That's Amore," "You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You," etc.) in a 3-disc, 48-tune import set.  You can get it "pre-owned" for $7.85, plus shipping.


Amazon best price (Used-w/shipping):  $10.84
This collection not available on iTunes, but to mix-and-match recreating it on iTunes would be over $45.00





Louis Armstrong:  This is an excellent collection of the greatest recordings of the last 25 years of Satchmo's career, including duets with Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and others.  It's a 3-disc set with 60 tracks, and priced under $10, a great deal.


Best Amazon price (Used-w/shipping): $12.23
iTunes:  Only partially available, and not available as a "bulk" download, so to download only the 28 tracks they have would be about $27.00.



Ella Fitzgerald:  Here's a great deal:  A 2-disc set of 39 of Ella's greatest Decca recordings from 1936-1955 that really runs the gamut: "It's Only a Paper Moon", "Oh, Lady Be Good", "How High the Moon", "I've Got the World On a String", "Ain't Nobody's Business If I Do" etc., etc..  It was released in 1993 to celebrate Ella's 75th birthday.
Total Amazon price (Used-w/shipping):  $8.48
Total iTunes price:  $19.99



Broadway's Greatest Hits:  This collection is a real find:  93 tracks on 4 discs, encompassing some of the greatest "original cast" recordings of Broadway's biggest hits of the 20th Century.  It's called "Front Row Center: The Broadway Gold Box 1935-1988".  It's a lavishly-packaged collection with a photo-packed, informative booklet accompanying it.  It's really the best Broadway compilation I've yet come across.


Best Amazon Price (Used-w/shipping):  $12.53
Not available on iTunes



Judy Garland:  This set was very pricey when it came out in 1998--I seem to recall paying around $100 for it at the time.  As far as I know, this remains the very best collection of Judy Garland, starting with rare, previously unheard recordings of her singing with her sisters ("The Gumm Sisters") in the 1920's.  It's a true "box set," in that it comes, well, in a box--along with an excellent, 96-page booklet and a VHS video as well (which may not do you much good anymore, but it's pretty great, if you have a VCR).  But it's really worth it for the CDs alone:  4 discs packed with 66 showstoppers (including many from her CBS television show in 1963-64).
Amazon best price (Used-w/shipping):  $10.83
Not available on iTunes



Ella Fitzgerald/Sarah Vaughn/Carmen McRae:  This 3-disc, 45-track collection showcases these three great ladies of jazz.  I haven't heard this one personally, but take a look at the songlist and figure "How bad could THIS be?"  Especially for $1.49!!  Which is what you can get it for, used, at Amazon.
Amazon best price (Used-w/shipping):  $4.47
Not available on iTunes.



Edith Piaf:  A 3-disc, 65-track collection that looks to be just about every song she ever recorded!  It's a French import collection from 2008.  You can get it new on Amazon for $7.46, or used for $4.88.


Best price Amazon (Used-w/shipping):  $7.86
iTunes:  Not available on iTunes, but a similar collection is available for download for $35.99



Al Jolson/Judy Garland/Ethel Merman:  Don't know much about this collection, but for 4 bucks, it might be worth a risk.  It's a 3-disc, 36-track collection of, perhaps, three of the LOUDEST singers of the 20th Century!  So, if it's a "cuddle-up-and-relax" type of album you're looking for, maybe this wouldn't be it.  But if you're looking for performances by three of the greatest "showmen" of all time, I'd say give it a try!
Amazon best price (Used-w/shipping):  $7.53
Not available on iTunes



Billie Holiday:  Legacy is a 3-disc, 72-track collection that would most likely be considered the best overall box set of Billie Holiday's music.  It's very comprehensive, with many rare, previously unheard "alternate takes" dating back to 1933 and encompassing her entire career, until her death in 1958.  If you have an interest in Billie Holiday but don't know where to start, this is the answer.  And this is the price!
Amazon best price (Used-w/shipping):  $6.97
Unavailable on iTunes



Tony Bennett:  30 tracks on 3 discs.  Looks like a good Tony "starter set".  It includes many of his most popular tunes, and looks to be reissues, mostly from the 1960's (when he was at his best, in my opinion).


Amazon best price (Used-w/shipping):  $6.72
Unavailable on iTunes



Mel Torme:  "The Essential Mel Torme" is a 3-disc, 36-tune collection that looks to be a fine overview of Mel's swingingest best.  I'd say take a chance on it....got 95 cents laying around?  'Cuz that's what you can get it for!


Amazon best price (Used-w/shipping):  $3.93
Unavailable on iTunes