This two-CD set spans Brooks’ career from 1945 to 1998 and does a fine job of gathering bits and pieces from the veteran singer/pianist’s catalog. Divided into two sections –”Hadda Sings” and “Hadda Swings” — which unsuccessfully tries to separate essentially similar patterns in Brooks’ style and manner, this amounts to a representative, if incomplete, compilation of progressing, artistic achievement. The ’90s recordings featured here aren’t bad, but it’s the late-’40s material — particularly Brooks’ sublime take on “That’s My Desire” — that gives I’ve Got News for You something to shout about. – Michael Gallucci