‘Dedicated’: James’ Hits, Romantic Standards : JONI JAMES, “Dedicated to You!”; <i> The Beautiful Music Company</i> *** 1/2

For too long, Joni James has been a virtually forgotten name in American pop. Though she was one of the most appealing pop vocalists in the early and mid-’50s, I hadn’t seen her mentioned in print in decades until the news came that she’ll appear in concert with a 12-piece orchestra on Sept. 17 at the Academy Plaza Theatre in North Hollywood. (Ticket information: (818) 785-8885).

James--whose real name is Joan Carmello Babbo--sang with such unusual intimacy and conviction on a series of MGM Records hits that it’s no wonder her admirers have ranged from Barbra Streisand to Elvis Presley.

The Chicago native was still in her early 20s when her first single--”Why Don’t You Believe Me”--went to No. 1 in late 1952, where it stayed for six weeks. But it was another hit--a pop version of Hank Williams’ classic “Your Cheatin’ Heart”--that certified her vocal credentials.

Williams, the most influential figure ever in country music, was such a soulful singer that any “pop” singer daring to do one of his songs was open to ridicule. That wasn’t the case with James. While the strings were heavy-handed on her recording, the vocal itself was wonderfully moving.

By the end of the decade, James had more than a dozen Top 40 hits, including “How Important Can It Be” and “Have You Heard.” But she faded from the pop scene in the mid-’60s when she stopped recording and performing to care for her ailing husband and manager, Tony Acquaviva.

It wasn’t until eight years after her husband’s death that James returned to performances last year with a test appearance in Chicago. The response was so strong that she agreed to schedule additional shows.

This mail-order collection, (516) 462-6535, brings together James’ biggest hits as well as romantic standards (from “Stardust” to “Someone to Watch Over Me”) drawn from various albums. Long overdue.

Albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor), two stars (fair), three stars (good) and four stars (e x cellent).