Petula Clark is a minor figure at best in the history of American rock 'n' roll. The thing is, she was an established star in Europe before she broke through here, and she remains a huge star overseas today - a sort of continental Barbra Streisand, complete with legions of fans comprised mainly of middle-class housewives and gay men. The song that began Clark's relatively brief stardom in the States was "Downtown," a #1 smash in late 1964 that reeked of British Invasion optimism and perkiness. For three more years, Clark routinely scaled the Top 40 with an impressive string of fun, bouncy hits. "Downtown" was foremost among them, but "My Love," "Don't Sleep In The Subway," and "I Know A Place" were as effervescent as anything on the radio in the mid-1960's.

Thanks to Clarke's lofty international status, collectors have dozens of CD's (most of them imported) from which to choose. In my opinion, though, one needn't look farther than a recent series of reissues on a American major labels. Downtown: The Greatest Hits Of Petula Clark (Buddha, 1999) is a well-selected, inexpensive overview; it's brief (just 12 short songs), but do you really want to listen to 74 nonstop minutes of Pet Clark? Yeah, I thought so: pick up The Ultimate Petula Clark (Buddha, 2003), which compiles nearly all of her American hits.

Still not satisfied? Then, here ya go, sailor: The Petula Clark Anthology: Downtown To Sunset Boulevard (Hip-O, 2000). Hoochie mama! Containing two - yes, two - long CD's comprising a comprehensive, exhaustive review of this showbiz icon's career, its a dream come true for Clark's loyal (er, maniacal) following.