The back cover of this Mercury / Polygram 2-CD set from 1991 tells the package's story in two sentences: "All of the Platters' original Mercury chart singles, plus some of the group's great B-sides and EP - LP cuts. Also includes Tony Williams's rare solo single."
In my opinion, this is all you'll ever need of the Platters on Mercury. 50 of the best tracks from the smoothest vocal group in the Pantheon of Rock 'N' Roll. I'd also recommend obtaining examples of their earlier work on Federal, but you can skip the post-Mercury stuff on Musicor during the group's years of decline and dissolution (With This Ring just doesn't "ring" true for me as Platters material).
The 20-page booklet enclosed with this package gives a good history of the development, rise and decline of the group. It also provides full documentation for each track - recording date and location, record number, release date, and lead singer. Release dates are shown in the track listing below. If issued as a single and an LP cut, info for the single is shown; if as an LP cut and an EP cut, LP info is shown (no EP cuts are indicated, since all were also on LPs).
DISC 1:
1. Only You (Mercury 70633) May 1955
2. Bark, Battle And Ball (Mercury 70633) May 1955
3. The Great Pretender (Mercury 70753) Nov 1955
4. I'm Just A Dancing Partner (Mercury 70753) Nov 1955
5. (You've Got) The Magic Touch (Mercury 70819) Feb 1956
6. Winner Take All (Mercury 70819) Feb 1956
7. My Prayer (Mercury 70893) Jun 1956
8. Heaven On Earth (Mercury 70893) Jun 1956
9. Glory Of Love (Mercury LP MG20146) Spring 1956
10. You'll Never Never Know (Mercury 70948) Aug 1956
11. It Isn't Right (Mercury 70948) Aug 1956
12. I Give You My Word (Mercury LP MG20216) Fall 1956
13. On My Word Of Honor (Mercury 71011) Nov 1956
14. One In A Million (Mercury 71011) Nov 1956
15. I'm Sorry (Mercury 71032) Jan 1957
16. He's Mine (Mercury 71032) Jan 1957
17. My Dream (Mercury 71093) Apr 1957
18. I Wanna (Mercury 71093) Apr 1957
19. Only Because (Mercury 71184) Aug 1957
20. The Mystery Of You (Mercury 71184) Aug 1957
21. Hula Hop (Mercury unreleased - recorded Sep 1958)
22. Helpless (Mercury 71246) Dec 1957
23. Indiff'rent (Mercury 71246) Dec 1957
24. No Power On Earth (Mercury LP MG20298) Spring 1957
25. Goodnight, It's Time To Go (Wing LP MGW12112) 1957
DISC 2:
1. Twilight Time (Mercury 71289) Apr 1958
2. You're Making A Mistake (Mercury 71320) Jun 1958
3. My Old Flame (Mercury 71320) Jun 1958
4. I Wish (Mercury 71353) Sep 1958
5. It's Raining Outside (Chove La Fora) (Mercury 71353) Sep 1958
6. For The First Time (Come Prima) (Mercury LP MG23066) 1958
7. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes (Mercury 71383) Oct 1958
8. No Matter What You Are (Mercury 71383) Oct 1958
9. Sixteen Tons (Wing LP MGW12112) 1957
10. Enchanted (Mercury 71427) Feb 1959
11. Remember When (Mercury 71467) May 1959
12. Where (Mercury 71502) Aug 1959
13. Wish It Were Me (Mercury 71502) Aug 1959
14. My Secret (Mercury 71538) Oct 1959
15. Harbor Lights (Mercury 71563) Dec 1959
16. Sleepy Lagoon (Mercury 71563) Dec 1959
17. Ebb Tide (Mercury 71624) Apr 1960
18. Red Sails In The Sunset (Mercury 71656) Jul 1960
19. To Each His Own (Mercury 71697) Sep 1960
20. If I Didn't Care (Mercury 71749) Nov 1960
21. Trees (Mercury 71791) Feb 1961
22. I'll Never Smile Again (Mercury 71847) Jun 1961
23. When You Return - Tony Williams solo (Mercury 71158) May 1957
24. It's Magic (Mercury 71921) Dec 1961
25. La Hora Del Crepusculo (Twilight Time) (Mercury LP SR60808) Sep 1963
