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Doo-wop: a distinctly American musical form that flourished in the 1950's, emerging from urban centers such as New York and Chicago. It's vital statistics? Groups comprised of four to five members, bass/baritone/tenor (or a first and second tenor) and lead, singing in three or four part harmony; frequent use of falsetto; predominance of "nonsense syllables"; dynamic bass parts; instrumentation subservient to vocals or nonexistent; simple but heavy backbeats and lyrical themes that espouse love and longing for "the one." It's pedigree? The vocal harmony groups of the 1940's, such as the Ink Spots and the Mills Bros., rhythm and blues, which incorporated elements of jazz and swing; country and gospel. Each of these individual cells would develop into the matrix called rock and roll, of which doo-wop is considered a part.
The "Rock 'n Roll Jubilee Ball," presented by legendary dee jay Alan Freed in 1955, featured acts the Clovers, Drifters, Harptones and Moonglows, a spectrum of talent that was representative as any of the musical trends of this dynamic period. A bevy of independent record labels sprung up to support and popularize the new music, including Chess, Vee Jay, King, Jubilee, Atlantic, Gee, Laurie and Dootone, and the personalities behind these often one room operations were practically as notorious as the artists themselves: George Goldner, Herb Abramson, Bess Berman, Syd Nathan.
As for the artists, they started young and often burned out early, and frequently realized meager rewards save the excitement of seeing their names on a theater marquee. With few exceptions, the acts were not adequately financed, and though technology was advancing at an unheard of pace (which provided new outlets and opportunity in the form of radio and television), the recording process was generally primitive, with groups rushed in and out of the studio in assembly line fashion. Indeed, that is why so many of the groups of this period sang "acapella": it was simply cheaper, as the producers didn't need to pay for a band! By the way, "acapella" as a moniker (as distinct from the Italian term "a cappella," which, strictly defined, means "in the church style") evolved after a conversation between Donn Fileti, Leo Rogers (of Bruce Records) and Wayne Stierle, according to Wayne in his liner notes for the Moonglows "Glowing in Acapella." However it's described or whatever it's called, doo-wop in general and acapella doo-wop in particular represents a golden age in American vocal harmony, with a loyal following that remains vital to this day.
The following groups' recordings are reviewed below
Alley Cats - Avenue X - Belmonts - Charm - Chessmen - Choice - Dachays - Delmonicos - DC Finest - Essentials - Fabulous Delcardos - Five Delights - Five Jades - Frankie & the Fashions - Jukes - Larkings - Johnny Maestro & Brooklyn Bridge - Mighty Echoes - Moonglows - Nutmegs - Perfect Blend - Persuasions - Regency - Reunion - Royal Counts - Sheps - Shells - Spaniels - Special Delivery - Stormy Weather - Things To Come - Variations - Velvet Angels - Various Artists
We have song lists available for some albums. Click here
or
on the "songlist" notation next to selected recordings.
The Alley Cats, from Southern California, are your destination for fun! This
four piece doo wop group also incoporates classics such as "Barbara Ann"
and "La Bamba" into their terrific repertoire, which includes can't-miss
hits like "Under the Boardwalk" and "Why Do Fools Fall in Love."
They mimic psychedelic guitar twanging on "Love Potion #9" and sizzle
with finger-snappin' energy on the arpeggiated chords of "Rock and Roll
is Here to Stay." "Runaround Sue" crackles with energy and humor-these
guys are clearly veteran performers. A highly professional and entertaining
recording. These Alley Cats will win you over! Songlist
Listen to What's Your Name
8123 CD 14.98
Recipient of many industry awards and a recent Broadway sensation,
"Avenue X" is set in Brooklyn, circa 1963, and as such
draws upon the musical legacy of that time: fities doo-wop and
raw rock and roll. Another aspect of that legacy is the social
turbulence that defined it; the uneasy coming together of different
cultures is confronted thematically in the songs' content, and
heard in the music, as the fission of elements explode in a distinctive
American sound. The performances and recording quality are uniformly
excellent; the result, in the words of L.A. Weekly, "Lush,
booming, soaring"!
8124 CD 14.98
Acappella is the spelling of the classical a cappella when it refers to doo-wop
and later to rock 'n roll. It evolved in the late '40s and by the late fifties
had emerged into popular culture from the street corners, hallways, alleys and
bathrooms where great echoes could be heard. The practitioners usually presented
themselves to producers as acappella groups and then were relegated to background
singing and stepped on by instrumentation. The Belmonts were named for Belmont
Avenue in the Bronx, their hometown. Joining Dion in 1957 to create "I
Wonder Why" which went to #22, they continued as Dion And The Belmonts
until 1960 when Dion went solo. In that collaborative period they had two #5
hits, "Where Or When" and the cloying "Teenager In Love."
After Dion's departure they had a couple of minor hits in the early '60s but
had to wait to create this legacy to doo-wop music until 1972. It is, indubitably,
a masterpiece. Songlists Listen to Na
Na Hey Hey
8121 CD$14.98
A re-issue of one of our best-selling CD's, this Jersey City group sing doo-wop
and soul in the "Boyz II Men" tradition, though their repetoire extends from
the 'forties-era Ink Spots to Motown, a la the Stylistics or Temptations. Twenty
songs, including seven previously unreleased, are included on this album, which
was recorded in 1983. It is remarkable indeed the combination of vocal talent
and range across such a variety of arrangements. Listen to "Mint Julep," for
a gospel-influenced take on doo-wop; on the other hand, "Drip Drop" is Chubby
Checker twistin' rock 'n roll. Charm's version of the Dell Vikings' "The Sun"
works both sides against the middle, with a potent bass laying pipe underneath
a honeyed falsetto. Other great tracks: ³At My Front Door,² ³I Found A New Baby,²
³I Want You To Be My Girl.² Listen to Why Do Fools
Fall In Love?
8011 CD$14.98
Emerging from the now famous "Relic Rack" scene in New Jersey, the Chessmen
were part of the early sixties integration of rhythm & blues, gospel and rock
'n roll. With a bass singer who could go lower than low, the Chessmen, who wrote
most of their own tunes, established a following and were one of the first groups
to sing live acappella on the "Times Square" radio show, popular at the time.
Songs like "I Apologize" and "That's My Desire" are typical of their robust
and dynamic sound, which is characterized by prominent bass parts, athletic
leads and chunky backing chords.
8641 CD$14.98
Early on in the flourishing of doo-wop music there was the beginning of an
evolutionary division into the tributaries which led to popular music and that
which led to R&B. Choice is a group of five students and practitioners of
this second tributary which has so enriched American culture. They pick tunes
which might not be as well known as the often covered standards, but after all
they are keeping a heritage alive. You'll hear "If I May" as they
learned it from Nat King Cole & The Four Knights' 1955 recording for Capitol.
Or how about listening closely to "Chicken Blues" which they heard
the Domino's sing on the 1950 recording; catch that vocal horn break! As for
the group itself, there are three tenors, a baritone and a bass. This is one
fabulous recording! Jersey City, one of the centers of vocal harmony in the
U.S. has another set of favorite sons to proclaim to the world! Songlist
8225 CD$14.98
Five active and retired law enforcement officers from Washington
D.C. are the Doo Wop Cops. They are one of those groups who have
serious careers and have had to put aside the early musical training
each member had while growing up. They found one another in 1985
and the music just wouldn't be denied. They've performed with
the Persuasions, Chuck Berry, The Drifters, Stevie Wonder and
many more. We'll not pay attention to the numerous Presidential
performances but will mentioned that they were picked by Gen.
Colin Powell out of the hundreds of offers to perform at his retirement.
They are great singers. There is a joyous over the top feeling
to the music of these men who generally use their performances
to inspire young people in their schools and neighborhoods. Let
us tell you, if they weren't such devoted public servants we'd
advise them to quit their day jobs in a second! Songlist
8223 CD$14.98
CARA nominated for "I Go To Pieces," (not the Patsy
Cline song, though the sentiments are along the same lines), the
Dachays are an enthusiastic doo-wop group that covers favorites
such as "Rock and Roll Lullaby," "Morse Code Of
Love " and "Diamonds and Pearls." Originally formed
in the early 1960's, their five voices have a full round sound;
the arrangements utilize the proven devices common to the style-the
characteristic phrasing, high falsetto and burly bass, and doubled
voicings. They reunited a few years ago to pursue the music that
remains tried and true-doo wop performed and recorded for the
sheer love of it!
8793 CD$14.98
The Delmonicos were originally formed in Manhattan in 1959.
In their early years they performed in clubs such as the Copacabana,
Peppermint Lounge and Camelot. In 1963 they recorded a couple
of 45's and enjoyed considerable local success singing in the
style of the classic 1950's NYC groups. They reunited in 1986
to perform for the United In Group Harmony Association's 10th
year celebration and have continued to perform since that reunion.
The current lineup features three of the original members and,
recently, a band to enhance their performance package. You will
hear the unmistakable bass of Gary Knight and the original Mr.
Delmonico himself, Joe Cariati, with his stunning leads and soaring
falsettos. Take a journey back into the world of the Dubs, The
Platters, The Spaniels, Flamingos and more! Songlist
8776 CD$14.98
From that hotbed of a cappella music to the north, Canada, comes a young, high
energy quintet who are devoting their harmonious labors on this album to the
art of the doo-wop, particularly the early 60's style. "Sixteen Candles,"
"Runaround Sue," "So Much In Love," "Come Go With Me,"
and "The Way You Do The Things You Do" are a partial list of the tunes,
14 in all. You can thoroughly enjoy a moment of nostalgia or enjoy those oldies
anew as the harmonies are tight and rich, the bass is solid and the tunes are
all from an era of great schmaltz and great vocalization, a virtual golden age
of acappella. (For spelling information see the Belmont's review) Songlist
Listen to Oh What A Night
8020 CD$14.98 Tape$9.98
"Hotter than a drive-in on a July night, smoother than a pocketful of
jello... Here are The Fabulous Delacardos" That's what it says right here
on the notes!We've never had a pocket full of jello, ourselves. In 1981 for
a 20th class reunion of one of the members, the five men and one woman decided
to recreate the music they loved as they grew up. They sing a New York style
with a distinctly southern twist for they are from Tennessee. As an aside, the
fine woman's voice you will hear belongs to Christy Little who ran for a Juvenile
Court Judge in 1998.The 28 tunes are those that any one who went to high school
in the late fifties or early sixties will have to remember fondly, or else turn
in your Baby Boomer ID. Songlist Listen
to One Fine Day
8224 CD$14.98
One of the early mixed groups (two Blacks, a Jew, a Pole and a Puerto Rican),
the 5 Delights had a couple of hit singles in the late 1950's. This recording
was made in a basement with one monaural mike in 1960 "while the guys passed
around a bottle of J &B," according to the legend. Drawing material from a variety
of sources, the group compiled a diverse set list: "Begin the Beguine," "You
Send Me," "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes" and "I'm In The Mood For Love" are highlights.
Some tunes, such as "Whatcha Gonna Do," have a gospel feel; "Dearest Darling"
is a smooth slow dance number.
8794 CD$14.98
The Five Jades formed in New York in 1963, and their career continued, albeit
with some interruptions due to a series of personnel changes, through the 1980's.
Originally released on Relic, this first recording by the Jades was "reconstructed,"
as the original masters were fatally compromised. The group's concept was to
adapt popular R & B tunes and record them as a cappella versions, such as "That's
The Way It Goes," (Harptones) and "When I Fall In Love" (Flamingos), though
they also had several original tunes of their own. Their material indicates
a preference for jazz flavored four part chords. The Five Jades were founded
by three brothers, Hector, David and Richard Rosado.
8787 CD$14.98
It was in the Little Italy neighborhood of West Philly that four teenagers
formed a band inspired by the music of Dion & The Belmonts, The Earls and
Little Anthony & The Imperials. You could hear them on the corner of 49th
St. In April of 1964 they recorded a song called "Funny Girl" which
was never released because their manager died just after the track was cut.
Through this tragic circumstance the group never went commercial but did continue
to just cruise around Philadelphia and share street corner symphonies with other
groups, alternating songs for their own pleasure and that of passersby. Thirty-three
years later lead singer Frankie Lafaro (who has been called the Frank Sinatra
of doo-wop) and the four Fashions finally recorded both some of the tunes they
have sung all their lives and some of Frankie's originals. Songlist
8121 CD$14.98
Frank Sinatra had an unfailing instinct for great material. This tribute album,
from Philadelphia's Frank Lafaro and his Fashions, contains signature songs
such as "Strangers In The Night," "It Was A Very Good Year," "Night and Day,"
"Something Stupid," "My Way," "New York, New York" and thirteen more. The melody
lines are more-or-less true to the original versions, but most of the arrangements
are revised in the doo-wop style, such as "All The Way" and "Summer Wind," where
nonsense syllables are the accompaniment and falsetto embellishes the intro
and outro. Frank Lafaro does a pretty credible Sinatra and obviously relishes
the opportunity to stand in for "Ol' Blue Eyes."
8795 CD$14.98
The Jukes sing us a selection of familiar tunes from the opening "Higher And
Higher" to the Caribbean rhythm on "Kiss The Girl." The songs are delivered
in a clean straightforward manner by this Tennessee mixed quintet. They have
not over embellished either in the studio work or arrangements and thus these
familiar tunes sound fresh through many listenings. There's the rural element
present in "Who Stole The Chicken," doo-wop "In The Still Of The Night," "Silhouettes
On The Shade" and "Teenager In Love." A couple of gospel tunes round out the
delightful and familiar mix.
2358 CD$14.98
The Larkings are a quintet of singers from Brooklyn each of
whom have been harmonizing all their lives. One member was singing
for nickels at age five! Bass singer Bernard "BJ" Jones
has sung for the Drifters and The Persuasions. What the five have
created, after almost three years in the studio, is a labor of
love. The selection of twenty-one songs come mostly form the mid
1950s for that was the golden age of doo-wop music which was relegated
to the back burner by The Beatles' and "the British Invasion"
of the early sixties. The Larkings have consciously emulated the
original arrangements as a tribute to the great doo-wop groups
of that time. So they give tribute to the Nutmegs, The Moonglows,
The Cadillacs, Five Keys, Spiders, El Dorados, The Dells and more
on this very special recording.
8779 CD$14.98
The story of Johnny Maestro began with The Crests in the latter half of the
1950's when the marriage of swing, blues, country music and doo-wop was giving
birth to rock n' roll.That Manhattan group's breakthrough record was "Sixteen
Candles." A string of hits followed, but the British invasion of the sixties
stole the nation's attention leaving these early rockers with devoted local
audiences. At that time Johnny Maestro became a member of the Del-Satins who
had regional hits in NYC. He once again hit the gold record stratosphere with
the hit, "The Worst That Could Happen" which also featured a band
with horn section who called themselves The Brooklyn Bridge. By 1972 they had
sold over ten million records. Their career has never ceased. Now listen to
the original Johnny Maestro and the five vocalists who are the vocal component
of The Brooklyn Bridge sing a terrific version of "I Only Have Eyes For
You" and nine other perfectly sung tunes. Songlist
Listen to Could This Be Magic
8567 CD$14.98
This is the Mighty Echoes second album although both were released
at the same time! Echo Park is a cultural and racial melting pot
which is next to Dodger Stadium. It is home to long established
Hispanic and bohemian communities, similar to the communities
in which doo-wop originated. The Echoes frequently perform jam
sessions at L.A.'s famous Farmer's Market which is held in this
area and their affection for that community of enthusiastic fans
is the origin of the album title. You will mostly be regaled by
tradition such as "Morse Code Of Love," "Unchained
Melody," "Tell Me Why" and "OOH Baby Baby,"
but additional treats are the reggae "One Love / Stir It
Up" and "Sweat/Dance To The Music" with the rap
break thrown in. Doo-wop lives!! Songlist
8226 CD 14.98
These guys have personality plus. Doo-wop and street corner
harmonies only give a 'sort of' idea to their music shared on
this, their first album which was released at the same time as
their second. They start off doo-wop all right but immediately
do Bruce Springsteen's "Factory." Then, thanking the
Coasters, they proceed with a very funny arrangement of "Youngblood."
Throughout the remainder of the fifteen cuts we are treated to
lots of traditional oldies interspersed with Prince's "Doves
Cry," Paul Simon & Joseph Shablala's "Diamonds On
The Soles Of Her Shoes" and Peter Townsend's "My Generation."
But that's what you'd expect from a bunch of guys who have been
featured on TV's "Who's The Boss," "Frank's Place"
and "Murphy Brown," not to mention their roles as the
singing firemen in the movie "Wilder Napalm." Listen
to Rama Lama Ding Dong. Songlist
8227 CD 14.98
They just don't make 'em like this anymore. The emotion wrung from every note,
the grit and rawness. "When I'm With You" and "Secret Love"
are poignant declarations, "The Lover's Medley" wears its heart on
its sleeve...(listen to the texture of the voices!) What's truly amazing is
that these acapella (spelling intentional) recordings were sometimes done without
instruments to save money, and were virtually demos (listen to the abrupt fadeouts).
The Moonglows' artistry and musicality is all that more impressive, given these
impediments; they make some of today's vocal groups sound pale by comparison.
8783 CD 14.98
The history of the Nutmegs, formed in 1955 in Connecticut, was all too brief-aside
from the typical struggles for recognition and fame that are familiar to any
group, first tenor and songwriter Leroy Griffin's life was cut tragically short
in a mysterious accident. They realized a modicum of early notoriety, but as
subsequent releases failed to sell, the group broke up and then reformed, calling
themselves "The Rajahs." Subsequently they recorded a number of tracks, many
of which are collected here (several are previously unreleased, and three feature
an unknown female vocalist). The group heralded the convergence of rhythm and
blues vocal harmony with the advent of rock and roll. "Help Me" implores and
entreats-notice how the back-up vocals create tension, which sets up the chord
change to follow. "Shifting Sand" has a vigorous repeating figure throughout
the verse, changing to block chords for the next section; it's great observing
how the group's arrangements, though simple, are consistently creative; it's
all the more impressive, given that they wrote their own songs (reproductions
of some of Leroy's charts are included in the liner notes).
8042 CD 14.98
Gibson T Trowery had a dream. He wanted to create a harmony
group which would rekindle the same excitement and discovery which
were the hallmarks of the best of the doo-wop groups in the l950s.
Through a long process of elimination he found a perfect blend
of voices. They blew away audiences in Philadelphia and New York.
They won the talent competition at the Apollo Theater on the nationally
syndicated TV show "It's Showtime At The Apollo." If
you're ready for your own personal 90s doo-wop revival start right
here. Part of the blend that make it so perfect is Katrina, Gibson's
wife, whose voice allows the group to move into the soul and R&B
which shares the lineage of the early doo-wop groups. They do
some of the Persuasions' songs so well that they will become the
new standard for groups to live up to. They are fabulous!
2095 CD$14.98
Reunion is a solid East Coast a cappella doo-wop group who have now recorded
their second record on Collectables Records. This one is different. They have
a guest artist joining them. Willie Winfield is the legendary singer of the
Harptones who enjoyed an illustrious recording and stage career in the fifties
and sixties, and still are in demand on the oldies circuit. When Willie joins
the members of Reunion a true singing spirit of the street corner is invoked.
He sings lead on five of the eighteen tunes, "On Sunday Afternoon,"
"My Memories Of You," "A Sunday Kind Of Love," "I Almost
Lost My Mind" and "That's The Way It Goes." Let Willie Winfield
and Reunion transport you back to that New Jersey street corner of yesteryear.
2092 CD14.98
Three-time UGHA winners Reunion - no other group has had that distinction -
have been singing together in various incarnations since the 1960's. They also
competed in and won the "Acappella Showdown" in 1990 and 1991. This experience
has resulted in a smooth fluid sound and crisp delivery; they avoid harshness.
Their strong suit is the roundness and fullness of their tone. Their set list
comprises the contemporary - Otis Redding's "Drift Away" or Van Morrison's "Brown
Eyed Girl" - and the classic: the plaintive "I Believe" and uptempo "Where Are
You Tonight?"
8792 CD14.98
Originally released in 1966 on the Catamount label, the Counts were originally
produced by Stan Krause, who also guided the Persuasions. Their sound, all a
cappella, is clearly derived from the Motown soul brew that produced groups
like the Temptations and the Four Tops, while retaining its basic doo-wop characteristics:
nonsense syllables, falsetto running over the top and bass turnarounds. "Valerie,"
is a tragic outpouring of grief; the lead vocal doesn't sing as much as he sobs
through his part. By the way, the group had three alternating lead singers,
giving them an uncommon versatility. "Don't Have To Shop Around," "My Girl"
"Too Young" plus twelve more.
8791 CD14.98
This New York quintet's modest success was largely thanks to Wayne Stierle
and Donn Fileti, who personally believed in and promoted the group. Thanks to
these efforts, the 1957 single, "Baby Oh Baby," was reissued in 1960, and reached
#21 on the national Billboard Charts. The Shells then made a hasty comeback,
and recorded a follow-up album, though without their previous lead singer, "Little
Nat" Bouknight, who had sung on "Baby Oh Baby." That hit, plus the results of
the subsequent album, are heard on this CD, which contains soul and pop standards,
such as "Ooh, Baby, Baby," "Misty" and "Dream," as well as straight ahead doo-wop,
such as "Be Sure My Love" and "So Fine," and a behind-the-scenes bass mix of
"Fine Little Girl" for the truly inquisitive.
8786 CD$14.98
The Sheps are one of those rare groups which received almost instant success
and public acclaim. Tommy Shinder formed the group in late 1992 after a long
search for kindred spirits who loved to sing the music of the early R&B
groups. Their name honors James Sheppard of both the Heartbeats and Limelites.
In their first year of performing they won the UGHA's (United In Group Harmony
Association) prestigious award, Rookie Of The Year-1993, and in unprecedented
triumph were declared the Veteran Group Of The Year in 1994. This award winning
quintet have their harmonic sensibilities firmly rooted in the 1950's as they
emulate the Mellomoods ("Where Are You," "I'm Lost," "How
Could You"), the Heartbeats, the Five Keys, Flamingos and more. Included
is one original composition, the title track, "Me, My Tears and a Jukebox"
which might have written in 1954 except it mentions all the groups they love.
Great!
8642 CD$14.98
The full, round sound of the Spaniels, as led by "Pookie"
Hudson-whose sinewy and thick vocal tone is as broad as the Mississippi,
and just as deep-is still revered by doo-wop and a cappella fans
today. This CD is a fascinating retrospective, as it includes
various mixes of some of the same tracks, allowing a unique "behind
the scenes" glimpse of the group in process. (The Spaniels
met in their Indiana high school in the 50's, though their recording
careers continued, albeit sporadically, into the '70's.) Their
arrangement of "Stormy Weather" is worth the price of
this CD alone-the intensity and originality demands to be heard,
if not analyzed: the soulful R & B lead, coupled with the
repetitive backgrounds, is perfect. The Spaniels' quintet of voices
combine to form a whole that is rich, satisfying, and sweet. A
rare find.
8784 CD$14.98
Special Delivery has rapidly made a name for themselves since their formation
in 1993, culminating in their award as 1998 A Cappella Group of the Year by
the UGHA. True to their East Coast roots, their sound is fundamental doo-wop,
as exemplified by the cut, "When You Dance": the airy falsetto in
contrast to the beefy bottom end, the block chords ringing out "ooh"
and "aah," the anthems to puppy love and dancing cheek-to-cheek. The
eight piece group also includes the sixties anthem, "California Dreamin,"
"Lean On Me" and even "Blue Moon," bridging the gap between
contemporary doo-wop and the original 'fifities groups in a nice mix of old
and new.
8785 CD 14.98
Stormy Weather are from Gary, Indiana, and are keeping the doo-wop sound alive
with a constant touring and recording schedule. On this accompanied CD, an anthology
of their twenty-five year career, they perform twenty-seven popular favorites
in a variety of styles. This four man and one woman quintet, led by Henry Farag,
were originally inspired by the legendary Spaniels, and indeed, the Spaniels
lead, Pookie Hudson, joins with three of the Temptations on the final cut, "Peace
Of Mind," a carol (several of the tracks are holiday songs). Whether standards
("Somewhere Over The Rainbow"), pop ("Crazy Love"), or doo-wop, Stormy Weather
is professional, entertaining and fun!
8024 CD 14.98
There are exciting things going on in our doo-wop corner. This CD, from the
group that began its career as "The Plazas" in 1966 (!) and is now
known as First Things First, includes twenty-two amazing a cappella doo-wop
favorites. With guest appearances by founding member of The Deep River Boys,
Harry Douglas, (83 years of age!) on "St. Louis Blues" and "Dry
Bones," this CD is a feel-good find. The warm tenor of "Just My Imagination,"
the sweet inspiration of "Change in My Life" that has the good will
of church on Sunday, and the exuberance of "Yakety Yak" are enchanting,
and evoke a sentiment that is missing in the sounds of today. The earnest declaration
of "When We Are Made As One" will melt any heart. Listen to Return
To Sender
8782 CD 14.98
The Variations: Wish You Were Here
These East Coast doo woppers capture the earnest innocence of the girl groups of the 'fifties. Featuring two altos, two sopranos and one lone fella on bass, the Variations specialize in less familiar songs recorded by the Crystals, Orlons, Capris, and many others (history included in the liner notes). Obviously a labor of love, "Wish You Were Here" reminds us what it was like to be a girl in the era of poodle skirts and malteds at the diner-ecstasy if he liked you, misery and pathos if he didn't. The trademark oohs and aahs, and plaintive vibrato implore ("Please Come Back to Me"), adore ("Heart Darling Angel") and admonish ("You Better Run"). The harmonies are well-executed and are nicely balanced by the bass register, resulting in a full, complete sound. A welcome addition to the doo-wop category. Songlist Listen to Baby Doll
8781 CD 14.98
Another example of a young group whose brief public exposure was over almost
before it began, the Velvet Angels' career began in '62 or '63 and was history
by '65. These recordings, some done at the Madison Hotel and the rest while
the group practiced in a basement, reveal a gospel/R & B/doo-wop blend. For
example, "Jungle Fever," an original written by Velvet Angel Robert Calhoun
(he wrote many of the groups songs with Cy Iverson) is heavy on the gospel side
of the scale, while "Be Ever Wonderful"'s lead is decidedly soul; "Since You've
Been Gone" is uptempo finger-snappin'doo-wop, with the lead singing high at
the top of his range. It's a shame that this is the sum total of the group's
professional output.
8796 CD$14.98
8050 CD$55.98 Tape $49.98
8052 CD$55.98 Tape $49.98
8113 CD$14.98
It was in 1965 that Eddie Gries put together 20 acappella songs
in the first Relic Record album, Best of Acappella Vol 1 (Relic
#101). It featured cuts from the masters which Eddie had purchased
from the proprietor of the famous Times Square Record Store, Irving
"Slim" Rose. Additional cuts came from odd sources including
the one that came from a tape found on the bathroom floor of the
Times Square Record Store! One cut by the popular local group,
the Savoys, was provided by Stan Krause's Catamount Records. Folks,
this is history! The record came out and was a surprising success
in the big city markets where streetcorner culture was huge. Our
fascination with this recording is the fact that it is the very
beginning of Relic Records.
8771 CD$14.98
It was still in 1965 that the second Relic Record was produced.
The first was selling well in a streetcorner underground around
New York City and Philadelphia. Eddie Gries and his partners decided
to start producing their own acappella sessions. They began with
the popular group, the Chessmen. The Holidays were a young group
which auditioned right in the Times Square Record Shop. The Citadels
were the first mixed group to record acappella, streetcorner style.
The Youngtones were a young Latino group who almost made it big.
This second record was rounded out with leased masters by the
Delstars of "Zoop Bop" fame (remember them?) and the
Five Jades. None of these songs had been released before Best
of Acappella Vol 2. The CD is packaged with the same images which
a adorned the original album jacket and includes the original
album notes. Songlist
8772 CD$14.98
Yo! It's just now 1966. The British invasion is in full force,
even in New York and New Jersey, the last bastion of doo-woppers.
As most of the groups were composed of members seventeen to nineteen
years old and the draft was going gangbusters, groups were disappearing
right and left. But acappella survived in spite of the fact that
it received no airplay except on WHBI-FM. Volume 3 introduces
seven new groups, The Islanders, The Durhams, Count Five, Horizons,
Nicky & Naks, the Apparitions and the Enchantments in addition
to the two veterans, the Citadels and the Quotations. So you'll
find the nine groups singing twenty tunes on this CD reissue.
The digital restoration of the original tapes is a work of art.
Relic's presentation is a fascinating slice of the history of
acappella music.
8773 CD$14.98
By the time volume 4 was produced, even though it was still 1966, the sales
of acappella were beginning to fall off but there was still enough interest
to do just one more for people who loved the music. This recording was different
in that there are the first two all girl acappella groups, ever. We mean girl
groups. Ginger And The: Adorables, from West Orange, NJ, had three sixteen year
old and two fourteen year old girls! The other all girl group was the Rondells.
Little Joe and The Majestics could barely speak English and became the first
recorded acappella in Spanish. There was another departure from the previous
albums and that was a barbershop harmony song by the Notations. We're talking
radical departure. This is the end of the beginning of the great Relic Records.
They promoted a Vol 5 in these album notes but there is no evidence it was ever
produced. Aah, the good old days! Songlist
8774 CD$14.98
This CD rerelease is an important piece of history. It has
to do with Stan Krause who started Catamount Records in 1964.
Stan was an unabashed acappella fan who started his label while
working the presses in his dad's record pressing plant, Kay Records.
I Dig Acappella was put together by Stan and two friends, Bobby
Miller who had a small acappella label of his own and "Uncle
Steve" Piva who had a radio show called "Oldies Express"
on WFDU-FM in Teaneck N.J. The recording was an article of faith
in the emerging musical field of acappella and featured groups
of varying talents who had recorded on their small labels. Stan
started with amateur groups but went on to more polished performers
such as the Royal Counts and The Persuasions and thereby was pivotal
in creating today's field of a cappella music. I Dig Acappella
features The Five Fashions, The Zircons, The Versailles and the
Savoys. This is a historical gem. Songlist
8030 CD$14.98
17 Groups! 26 Selections! 6 Bonus Tracks! 5 Previously Unreleased
Tracks! Yo, get yer classic doo-wopp street corner harmony here!
Ronnie Italiano, affectionately and professionally known as Ronnie
I, almost single-handedly is responsible for the flouishing doo-wopp
scene. He created Clifton Records, Ronnie I Productions and is
the founder of the United In Group Harmony Association. This is
the first of two volumes of great street corner singing. Most
of the recordings were made in the late seventies and 1980's.
You will hear selections from the entire spectrum of performance
in the doo-wopp style. We have the Computones, a rare mixed group,
singing "The Only Love" with Brenda Mitchell on lead.
Our favorite is Charm's live version of the World Was II song,
"Rosie The Rivieter." It was originally recorded by
the Four Vagabonds but the Charm version with the long Mills Brothers
style horn arrangement is superb! Songlist
8010 CD$14.98
20 Groups!! 26 Selections!! 11 Previously Unreleased Tracks!! Sound familiar?
It should for this is the second mega-release by Ronnie I Productions of great
street corner singing by groups who so often had only local followings in New
Jersey, New York and Philadelphia. Doo-wopp, streetcorner style usually consists
of five parts: lead, 1st tenor, 2nd tenor, baritone and bass. You just have
to hear the individual stylization that different groups bring to songs which
make them uniquely their own. There's one guy in the group Street Corner Memories
who can roll his tongue so accurately it's hard to believe! Jackie Bland is
the female lead of Windsong, who, with a superb quartet backing sings "Imagination."
Once again Ronnie I has packaged a primer of this uniquely American music. Songlist
8012 CD$14.98\
Silhouettes (arr. Ed Lojeski)
In The Still of the Nite (arr. Ed Lojeski)
Book of Love (arr. Ed Lojeski)
Duke of Earl (arr. Ed Lojeski)
Under the Boardwalk (arr. Mark Brymer)
(TTBB)
8710 B$7.98
For an electronic version of the Doo Wop catalog click here (Need Adobe Acrobat Reader)
To find a specific song on any recording (or to find recordings
by group name or CD title),
pick the search method and type the item you are searching for here:
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