If butter melts in your mouth, the Alley Cats arrangement of "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes" will melt in your mind! It is beautiful, smooth, and just melts away the bands of every day tensions from around the heart. Then you'll just have to swoon to one of the sweetest versions of "Only You" which you will ever hear. Thank goodness they launch into a upbeat "Blue Moon" or you would end up in a emotional puddle on the floor! If you ever were touched by the romantic songs of the fifties and sixties (and a sound alike or two from the seventies), this recording is for you. Frankly, we've never heard a better recording of era's music. The voices are beautiful, the slides into falsetto breaks is seamless, and the arrangements keep true to the originals while filling out the instrumental parts with vocals. The Alley Cats have presented all of the greatest songs of an era, "Silhouettes," "Twilight Time," "Earth Angel," "Stand By Me," and more, sixteen cuts in all. The tempos and arrangements vary so you never become complacent and let a tune slide by out of predictability, but rather have to pay attention to each sweet riff. We gush, we enthuse, and we have only this to add, "yip yip yip yip, mum mum mum mum, get a job!" With your first paycheck be sure to get the Alley Cats, "Strike 32." Songlist

Listen to "At the Hop/Jump Jive 'n Wail" and "Rockin' Robin"

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

The enthusiasm of the Alley Cats is so infectious and their energy so buoyant that they can make you like any song they sing. It's true! Having gotten their start at Disneyland's "Magic Kingdom," they exhibit a merry disposition that bursts through even on CD-they cannot be contained! A host of classic tunes such as "Book Of Love," "Don't Be Cruel" and "Duke Of Earl," which could be perfunctory in lesser hands, are pounced on by the Alley Cats, and are the better for it. The arrangements are familiar but with a little added pizazz (we'd encourage more!), the intonation crisp, the rhythms fluid. Songlist

The Blue Stars recorded and performed from the mid-1970s to their excellent a cappella recordings for the Clifton label in the early 90s. This CD contains the 16 cuts from the United in Group Harmony Association Award-winning 1991 release "Blue Velvet," plus 9 previously unreleased cuts recorded from 1994 to 1996. The group's covers concentrate on legendary groups and classic 50s versions. This is exuberant, street-corner doo-wop and lots of it, heavy on the harmony! There's a list of the 25 songs in the liner notes, followed by the name of the group that recorded it, the label, the year and the member of the Stars who's singing lead. From relatively unknown hits like the Marcels' "Sweet Was The Wine," the Five Keys' "Deep In My Heart" and the 4 Vagabonds' "Rosy the Riveter" to better known hits like the Clovers' "Blue Velvet" and the Chords' "Sh-Boom," this is all authentic, soulful stuff. The Stars shine on "Rhapsody!"

Jack, Ed, Jack and Bobby, the Boomerz, are Barbershoppers returning to their Doo-Wop roots! They were raised on Doo-Wop, singing and lip-synching when they were as young as six. After that it was at least ten years (with Ed putting in an amazing 31 years) singing in Barbershop groups. Their love of Doo-Wop brought them together, and the Boomerz have the sweet, soulful sound (some of the best falsetto we've heard on a Doo-Wop CD) that made everyone who heard it on the radio in the 50s and 60s fall in love. 12 songs, "I Wonder Why," "That's My Desire," the excellent "Streets Of The Bronx" (a new one to us), "Come Go With Me," "One Summer Night," "Sometimes (When I'm All Alone)," "Tonight, Could Be The Night," the classic "Western Movies," "All I Have To Do Is Dream," "Barbara Ann," "Little Star" and "Gloria." Great B-shop harmonies, Doo-Wop tunes¶who could ask for more? Songlist

Every member of all male quintet The Boulevards has paid some serious dues. Gary, Brian and Tony, for instance, were raised in the Bronx and started harmonizing at ages 17, 16 and 12 respectively, forming and singing with numerous original Doo-Wop groups. Not surprisingly, their 18-song selection for "Road" concentrates mainly on legendary 1950's NYC area group recordings: the Skyliners' "Lonely Way," the Embers' "Please Mr. Sun," the Belmonts' "Where or When," the Moonglows' "Over and Over Again," the 5 Satins' romantic "To The Aisle," the Students' "I'm So Young," the Harptones' "That's the Way It Goes," the Five Discs' "I Remember," the Dominoes' "Stardust," the Drifters' "What'Cha Gonna Do" and the Teenagers' "Out In The Cold Again." We're hearing a number of these songs for the first time, and there's a lot of good stuff here, sung by the sweet-harmonizing, authentic Boulevards!

Listen to To The Aisle in Real Audio

Naples, Florida's own Brylcream, 'A Little Dab of Doo-Wop,' is John 'Wopp' Mina, Richie Beattie, Tom 'Cool-T' Welter, Gary 'G Man' Groneman and Ray 'Wolfman' Conklin. 'Rockin'' has 16 tight, sweet Doo-Wop standards: 'Barbara Ann,' 'Lion Sleeps Tonight,' 'Book of Love,' 'River of Dreams,' 'Teardrops,' 'Run Around Sue,' 'Mr. Blue,' 'Teenager In Love,' our personal favorite, 'Rockin' The Neighborhood,' and 'Rock and Roll Is Here To Stay' - and if anyone needs proof of that, just listen to Brylcream, some of the best Doo-Woppers we've heard. All A Cappella. Songlist

Listen to "Barbara Ann" in Real Audio.

Pull up a street corner and enjoy the tight, sweet harmonies of Brylcream, from Naples, Florida, which is John "Wopp" Mina, Richie Beattie, Tom "Cool-T" Welter, "Billy D" Louth, and Randy "Rep" Porter. All covers, several nicely arranged by John Mina. Some favorites: "Trickle, Trickle," "Duke of Earl," "Bring It On Home," "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow," "Silhouettes," "All Shook Up," "In The Still of the Night," and "Gloria." The obligatory warning for purists: about half of the songs are accompanied by the "Lords of Cool." But make no mistake, Brylcream sings them slick, smooth & creamy, and a "Little Dab" didn't do us - we want more! Songlist

Listen to "Trickle, Trickle" in Real Audio.

The Cadillacs are a mixed doo-wop quintet from Colorado, whose set list features the most popular fifties and sixties hits. For the millions of us - just about everyone - whose heard these songs, it's irresistable fun. "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" has a rocking lead vocal, enticing close harmony on the chorus, and enough original nuances as the arrangement progresses to give it zing. "Little Bitty Pretty One" has a similar intensity, a nice build on the last chorus, with each voice joining in a measure after the previous one; the Cadillacs really sell this stuff. "Zombie Jamboree" is a general melee, with everyone joining in with animal noises, impressions, you name it. Songlist

The Cadillacs A Capella are Marty Worwood, baritone, Susan Crump, soprano, Todd Russell, tenor, Denise Palfreyman, alto and Wade Lindstrom, bass, and this CD was recorded live in May, 2000. There are 21 standards here, with the group's usual show patter in between songs. It's hard to pick some favorites here: 'Sha Boom,' 'Its In His Kiss,' 'Runaround Sue,' 'Beach Boy's Medley (accompanied),' 'Little Bitty Pretty One,' 'Blue Moon,' 'Elvis Medley,' 'Duke of Earl' and of course ending with 'Goodnight, Sweetheart.' It's clear that the Cadillacs have paid their dues, can belt out the oldies, and they're having a great time up there - which adds up to a fun show and a fun Doo-Wop CD! Songlist

The Cadillacs A Capella are Marty Worwood, baritone, Susan Crump, soprano, Todd Russell, tenor, Denise Palfreyman, alto and Wade Lindstrom, bass, and this CD was recorded live in May, 2000. There are 21 standards here, with the group's usual show patter in between songs. It's hard to pick some favorites here: 'Sha Boom,' 'Its In His Kiss,' 'Runaround Sue,' 'Beach Boy's Medley (accompanied),' 'Little Bitty Pretty One,' 'Blue Moon,' 'Elvis Medley,' 'Duke of Earl' and of course ending with 'Goodnight, Sweetheart.' It's clear that the Cadillacs have paid their dues, can belt out the oldies, and they're having a great time up there - which adds up to a fun show and a fun Doo-Wop CD! Songlist

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. Songlist

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

Producer Ronnie Italiano, Clifton Music's "Ronnie I," presents some authentic New Jersey Doo Wop by his Cliftonaires, who consist of two of the finest female singers on today's scene and 4 outstanding veteran male singers. The song selection on the 21 songs pays tribute to the legendary era of classic 1950s R&B Group recordings with bass Jack Scandura's fine arrangements. Some favorites: "How Sentimental Can I Be," "Angel and A Rose," "Blue Moon," "P.S. I Love You," "To Be Loved," "Dream," "Chapel of Dreams," "Skylark," "When I Fall In Love," "Night and Day," "I Found A New Baby," "Wedding Bells" and "I'll Be Seeing You." This is the good stuff! Songlists

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

The male quintet The Dachays (pronounced Da-shays) have Doo-Wop roots going back to the 1960s. Their love of the music and of harmonizing together led them into the studio, and some very fine buttery-harmonied doo-wop was the result. "Lonely Way," "So Fine," "Teardrops," "Our Day Will Come," the classic Brian Wilson anthem "In My Room," "My Girl Friend," "United In Group Harmony," "Zing Went The Strings Of My Heart," "Tonight Medley," "What Time Is It?," and an original by Mike Binder of the group, "The Girl In The Light (Reminds Me Of You). There is some light accompaniment on "Our Day Will Come" and "Girl In The Light," percussion and 12-string guitar by Mike. It's clear these guys have big fun on streetcorners, and we're invited to hang out! Songlist

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! Songlist

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

The Heartspinners' sound started with Dino in 1952. As the R&B vocal group sound emerged in the 50s, Dino embraced the music and became part of it. Many members came and went from the group, and Dino penned hundreds of songs about love, heartbreak and rock n’ roll. He sang with an unmistakable style, joined by Rich, his bass man through all the ups and downs. "Lost Tapes" are from the Heartspinners' heyday, and the tunes, most of which are new to us, are wonderful: the a cappella "Rock N' Roll Just For You Intro" and "The Bells of Love," "You Broke My Heart," "Merry Go Round," "Gee," "Over and Over Again," "Troubles," "Doll Baby," a nice Doo Wop version of "White Cliffs of Dover," "Pure Rock N' Roll" and "The Heartspinners Sing the Blues." Dino's stuff sounds great! Songlist

The Encounters have been together as a singing group for nearly 40 years. (Favorites with audiences and critics, their latest Collectables release "Don't Stop" was nominated as "Album of the Year" and "Song of the Year" by the Contemporary Acappella Society). On this disc, acappella gems such as "Would You Still Be My Girl", "House Where Lovers Dream", and "What Did Daddy Do" get the street corner touch The Encounters are famous for. Songlist

This release, on the Collectables label, features three currently performing a cappella groups: Frankie and the Fashions, The Encounters, and the Balladeers, with their versions of renowned hits. The Five Satins' "In the Still Of The Night," considered one of the great R & B influenced doo-wop songs of all time (though it never broke the top twenty of the national charts when it was released) is covered by Frankie & the Fashions. The Balladeers' take on the Drifters' "Fools Fall In Love" is one of the best cuts overall, with the group making the most of the simple but effective arrangement. Songlist

The Encounters started singing together on street corners in Brooklyn in 1963, releasing "Don't Stop" on the Swan Label in 1964. Pete Milazzo and Charlie DiComo have been in the group from the start, and Mike Levy came aboard in 1966. Roy Hutchings and Pete DeBenedetto joined in 1991. These guys sing "deep" doo-wop with a style that is all their own. 17 tracks in all, including "Lorraine," "Because of You," "Crazy Bells," and of course the title tune. Roots Brooklyn Doo-Wop! Songlist

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 "December 1963 (Oh What A Night)" in Real Audio.

Contemporary Canadian doo-woppers the Essentials have turned out two tight and tuneful CD's so far. This third, live recording is really a tribute to classic rock and pop, what with relentlessly infectious songs such as "Stay," "Brown Eyed Girl" and "Some Kind Of Wonderful." Keeping a constant tempo are drums on many tracks. "December, 1963" (a big hit for Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons) works both sides of the audio spectrum, high and low; the four cut loose on "Kiss Him Goodbye," the lead vocal intensifying into a throaty growl, the bass punctuating the concentrated harmonies working feverishly above. "Change In My Life" and "Lion Sleeps Tonight" are "essentially" a cappella. Songlist

"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

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.
Songlist

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.
Songlist

5/3 Woodland's logo is 4 guys singing under a street light, and it was on street corners in South Philly that these four boyhood friends got togerher. In 1993, original member Gene Volpe brought them together to sing on stage just one time, to see what it was like. The performance was well-received, and 5/3 was both hooked and formed. "Easy" is their first CD, and is a labor of love, a love of a cappella doo-wop singing. 21 songs, sung with spirit and joy‹some favorites: "Good Old A Cappella," Brian Wilson's sweet falsetto ballad, "In My Room," Lennon/McCartney's "This Boy," Sam Cooke's "Chain Gang," "Lovers Never Say Goodbye," Johnny Otis' "So Fine," "Come Go With Me/That'll Be The Day," "Old Man River," "Where or When" and "Bop Till You Drop." An excellent debut CD for 5/3, who have the bright, spot-on-key, sweet falsetto, deep-bass sound we like to hear in top-drawer Doo-Wop groups!

Founded in 1997, all-male Doo Wop quartet 4 Ever Young, from the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex, is the brainchild of Bruce Smith, who set out to assemble an a cappella Doo-Wop group to help keep alive the music he used to sing on the streets of Brooklyn, NY, and perform with the Deacons and the Montclairs in the 50s and 60s. 16 Doo-Wop standards, 'Barbara Ann,' 'So Much In Love, 'Sunday Kind of Love,' Book of Love,' 'Blue Moon,' 'At My Front Door,' '409,' 'In the Still of the Night,' 'Monster Mash,' 'Charlie Brown'... you get the idea. There's also a pretty cool cover of 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' as a Doo-Wop song. These guys are smooth as silk, professional, authentic and spot on key - one of the best Doo-Wop CDs we've heard this year!

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

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." Songlist

The Gel Caps are Steve Tucker, Dana Buck, Andrew Gorney and Mike Reed, four sunglass-wearing cool guys who've been gathering fans at car shows, bars, parties and other events throughout lower Michigan since 1989, doing street corner doo-wop. There are numerous theories concerning the origin of the group's name, but the liner notes say that our guess is "as good as anybody else's." Some of our favorite cuts: "What's Your Name," "Don't That Prove I Love You," "My Girl," and "When I Woke Up This Morning" and "Under The Boardwalk," "Zombie Jamboree" and "1000 Miles Away." OK, these guys aren't The Temptations, but they're up there singing the hits and having a good time, and it's infectious. And for infection, Take Two... Songlist

When we want to hear authentic Doo Wop, we think of Indiana. That's right, Indiana—4-man, 1-woman Harbor Lights is the real deal, with the genuine New York Doo Wop sound. On "Almost" they nail Doo Wop standards like "Come Go With Me," "Little Star," "Pretty Little Angel Eyes" and "The Lion Sleeps Tonight." They add a female lead to Ben E. King's "Stand By Me," and reinterpret pop hits like the Temptations' "Just My Imagination" and Peter & Gordon's "I Go To Pieces" becomes an a cappella classic. Ricky Nelson's "Poor Little Fool" is a sweet, nostalgic winner, as is Richie Valens' "Donna." Some accompaniment. "Almost" is the soul of East Coast Doo Wop from America's heartland!

Listen to Gee Wiz in Real Audio

"A­Capella New Orleans" by local favorites Jay, Ray & Gee is a generous helping of soulful Doo-Wop, tasty as a hot mess of Cajun shrimp. "Runaround Sue," "Save The Last Dance for Me," "Who Wrote the Book of Love?," the Otis Redding anthem "Dock of the Bay," "Don­t Know Much About History," "Games People Play," Van Morrison­s "Brown-Eyed Girl," "I­ll Be There," "In the Still of the Night," "Let It Whip," "Kiss and Say Goodbye," finishing with the spirituals "This Little Light of Mine" and "Savior, Hear My Humble Cry." These guys have paid some dues, you can hear it in their voices, and we would fly to New Orleans just to catch some of their authentic, roots Doo-Wop live at some funky Big Easy bar! Songlist

New Orleans is home to some of the best music around, so finding this CD of A'capella Doo Wop New Orleans style was simply a treat. The songs are familiar favorites of traditional, motown, funk, calypso and childhood past that will keep you singing along with Jay-Ray and all of his friends. Fresh from the studio and without any technical manipulations to the recording, A'capella New Orleans is raw and unadulterated fun. When you pop this CD into the stereo, have no expectations; just enjoy the songs and the pleasure that went into singing them. Songlist

Jay-Ray & Gee is Reginald Ringo, Raymond Marshall, Jerome Alexander, George Hunter and Arthur Groce, and Acappella New Orleans - No Cover Charge, their second CD, is a tasty buffet of New Orleans Music: Creole, Jazz, R&B and Gospel, not to mention Reggae and street corner Doo-Wop. There are 22 songs here: "Down By the Riverside," "Glory, Glory Hallelujah," "Dry Bones in the Valley," "When He Calls Me," and "Old Man Abraham" mixes Gospel with a funky beat. Then we have the street corner Doo-Wop feel of "Another Saturday Night," "Rockin' Robin," "Groovy Situation," "Hey, Pocky Way," "Shoo-Fly," and a rollicking "Hambone." There's the soulful "Papa Was a Rolling Stone," "So Much In Love," "Summertime" and "Amazing Grace." "Hold 'Em Joe" is a reggae delight. This is fun stuff - the guys are having a great time (some cuts are live) and it's infectious. The first CD was excellent, this is even better - keep it up, guys! Songlist

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. Songlist

The Laferos is Frankie Lafero harmonizing with himself, and we bet he had a good laugh coming up with the "group" name! You know Frank, from West Philly, who formed Frankie and the Fashions in 1963 - well, this gifted performer went into a studio and laid down all the vocal parts on this CD, one by one. There are great covers: "Earth Angel," "Remember Nina," "It's Only Make Believe," "Sea of Love," "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me," "Dream Lover," and a treat, two of Frank's originals, "I'll Never Love Again," and "Making Love for the First Time." We can say without fear of contradiction that the voices on Acappella Serenades are perfectly matched, and although we're not expecting a live tour anytime soon, this is some of the smoothest and sweetest doo-wop we've heard! Songlist

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. Songlist

The Magic Touch is Bob Cardany, bass, lead, Tony Giorgi tenor, lead, Dennis Hurlie first tenor, lead, Tom Kelleher, baritone, and Jim Santrello, tenor, lead. All these guys have been singing doo-wop on street corners and professionally for decades. 26 songs here, including some originals like "The Father of the Bride," written by Tom Kelleher. Some of our favorites are "Buzz, Buzz Buzz," "Under the Boardwalk," "Blue Moon," "When You Dance," "Trickle, Trickle" and "Streets Of The Bronx." All a cappella, from Starlight Discs. Songlist

There are some doo-wop groups from whom the clean, smooth, crisp sound just seems to flow like a street corner water fountain, like it did with the original groups who burst onto the airwaves in the 1950s and 60s. The 5-man Magic Touch is one of those groups, and 'Sincerely' just goes to show how appealing and timeless the combination of great arranging, soaring harmonies and classic material can be. Some favorites: 'Ain't No Woman Like The One I Love,' 'Just My Imagination,' 'Rama Lama Ding Dong,' 'Twilight Time,' Bobby Darin's 'Dream Lover' (OK, we know it was a hit for Del Shannon), 'In The Still of the Night' and the title tune, but we have to say that these are 19 of the best doo-wop tunes we've ever heard! Songlist

Beginning with this mixed (three black & two white) group's initial success with "Blue Moon," which was #1 on the Pop and R&B charts in 1961 (displacing none other than Elvis), the Marcels carved out an unmistakeable niche in the annals of pop history. It is their "bomp baba bomp...da dang da dang, da ding a dong ding" bass intro, heard on "Zoom," "That Lucky Old Sun" and others that is forever in the ear of every doo-wop audience, casual or otherwise. "Blue Moon" is not on this CD, but pretty much of the rest of the Marcels recorded output is; like many other groups, personnel departed more consistently than they remained, so some cuts are stronger than others. Signature songs such as "Summertime," "Over The Rainbow," "Sunday Kind Of Love" and "I Put The Bomp" display a flair and musicality a cut above the average and are terrific R & B tinged doo-wop. Songlist

Mike Mastrolia (The Acappella Kid) sings soaring leads for Memories of You, has been singing Doo-Wop since the late 50s when he recorded an album with The Fortells at age 16. The other four men have been paying their dues equally as long, and have nicknames like "Singin' Eddie" and "Mr. Bassman." 17 songs, from "Gloria," "Darling I Love You," "Chapel of Dreams" and "I'm So Young" to "My Juanita," "My Vow To You," "Sentimental Reasons" and, appropriately, "My Memories of You." This is authentic stuff, much of which is new to us, from five guys who know what they're Doo-Wopping! Songlist

Though we have scant information on this sextet, save that they come from Pennsylvania, we can say that their sound was obviously inspired by the great doo-wop groups like the Spaniels and Moonglows. This is a 1999 release, but, as their name implies, the singers of Memory Lane aren't about today. Their arrangements really capture the flavor of the genuine article, the performances have punch and authority, and the blend is earthy, thick and resonant. Favorite cuts include "California Dreamin'," "Mio Amore" and "I Like It Like That." Songlist

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

Listen to "Unchained Melody" or "I Think We're Alone Now"

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." Songlist

Listen to "Rama Lama Ding Dong" in Real Audio.

A Moment's Pleasure is John Farrington, Herb Johnson, John Jones, Bill Keith and Bob Reilly, all guys with many, many years of a cappella singing experience. Herb Johnson, for instance, was the lead singer of The Cruisers who recorded "Have You Heard/Guilty" for Len Records in 1962, and Bill Keith is an original member of The Blendtones who recorded "Lights Please" for Don-El Records in 1957. 24 cuts, some of our favorites are "Finger Poppin' Time," "When I Fall In Love," "Diamonds And Pearls," "Baby, It's You"Ê heck, they're all good. From Starlight Discs. Songlist

Benny (Bird) Primetime Daniels, John Farrington, John Jones, Bill Keith and James (J.P.) Phillips are A Moment's Pleasure, and they sing polished, smooth, deep-bassed, close-harmony a cappella street corner doo-wop. Formed in 1982, all the group members have paid their dues (dues-wop?) big time, and it shows. 15 classic songs, from 'What's Your Name,' 'Farewell My Love,' 'Sitting In the Park' and 'Save the Last Dance for Me,' to 'Come Go with Me,' 'So Fine,' 'Sincerely' and 'Don't Leave Me Baby' - it's all great doo-wop with more of a 60s flavor without losing the vintage R& B 1950's sound!. Songlist