In the development of Doo-Wop in the years following WWII, the most influential singer, on a level with Elvis in Rockabilly, was The Ravens' Jimmy Ricks, whose booming bass would set the standard for a generation of aspiring bass vocalists. 'Birds' is a generous 2-CD set with 50 soulful, authentic (all accompanied) cuts, recorded from 1946 to 1952 by one of greatest R&B quartets of all time! Smooth and romantic on hits like 'Lullaby,' 'Until The Real Thing Comes Along,' 'Deep Purple,' 'It's Too Soon to Know,' Gershwin's 'Summertime,' and 'I'm So Crazy For Love' and 'You Foolish Thing;' hip, swingin' and funny on 'Be I Bumble Bee or Not,' 'Marie,' 'Leave My Gal Alone,' 'Oh Babe,' 'Don't Look Now,' 'My Baby's Gone,' 'Midnight Blues,' 'Gotta Find My Baby,' 'I Get My Lovin' on a Saturday Night,' a jazzy 'Begin the Beguine' and a Ravens original, 'Rock Me All Night Long.' Wonderful extensive liner notes with photos and vintage posters. Every cut is a winner and these guys deserve to be a lot more famous! Outstanding.

Listen to Summertime in RealAudio.