In the pre-Hit Parade era, Josef's record sales were quite remarkable. He signed to EMI Records in 1947, his releases appearing on the dark blue Columbia label: his debut 78, "Return To Sorrento / Santa Lucia", appeared in the summer of '47 and was followed by perhaps his best-known release, "Hear My Songs Violetta / I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen" in November. His version of "Galway Bay" was the biggest-selling record in Ireland during 1948-9, whilst his recordings of "Goodbye", "Ave Marie", and "The Soldiers Dream" were all very near as popular. In fact, by the turn of 50's it was estimated that he'd sold well in excess of a million 78s.

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1. COME BACK TO SORRENTO (TORNA A SURRIENTO)
2. SANTA LUCIA (NEAPOLITAN BARCAROLLE)
3. GOODBYE
4. HEAR MY SONG, VIOLETTA
5. I'LL TAKE YOU HOME AGAIN, KATHLEEN
6. THE HOLY CITY
7. WHEN YOU WERE SWEET SIXTEEN
8. THE ROSE OF TRALEE
9. COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS
10. GALWAY BAY
11. MACUSHIA
12. AVE MARIA
13. THE OLD BOG ROAD
14. WHEN YOU'RE IN LOVE
15. SONGS OF SONGS
16. BLESS THIS HOUSE
17. THE SOLDIER'S DREAM (LA REVE PASSE)
18. WHILE THE ANGELUS WAS RINGING (LES TROIS CLOCHES)
19. BENEATH THY WINDOW (O SOLE MIO)
20. TOSELLI'S SERENADE (SERENATA)
21. HOW CAN YOU BUY KILLARNEY ?
22. A SHAWL OF GALWAY GREY
23. SILENT NIGHT