The Essentials

Contemporary Canadian doo-woppers the Essentials have turned out two tight and tuneful CD1s 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.

Discography

Bare

Some Kind of Wonderful Heartache Tonight Brown Eyed Girls Change In My Life Stay The River of Dreams We're Here For A Good Times Your Song The Lion Sleeps Tonight December 1963 (Oh What a Night?!) Kiss Him Goodbye

Contemporary Canadian doo-woppers the Essentials have turned out two tight and tuneful CD¼s 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.

2531 CD $14.98

...and then some

Twistin' The Night Away California Dreaming I'll Begin My Girl Lean On Me Under The Boardwalk Wonderful Time Tonight If I Fell My Juanita Only You This Night If I've Taken Too Long

This the Essentials second album and we have considerable change to enjoy. The harmonies are as tight as ever but the doo-wop tunes take the back seat in favor of light rock. In the footsteps of the Nylons they have chosen to add a percussion track to most of the tunes. "My Girl," "Lean On Me," "If I Fell" and "Only You" are the offerings for purists. Please don't let me give the impression that the doo wop is totally gone from the repertoire, for several songs still have that element but the selection is faithful to the historical changes of the 60's popular music.

Listen to "California Dreaming" in Real Audio.

Oh What A Night

December 1963 (Oh What A Night) I Wonder Why Sixteen Candles Runaround Sue Up On The Roof Denise So Much In Love Breaking Up Is Hard To Do Earth Angel Come Go With Me Lean On Me The Way You Do The Things You Do Blue Moon In The Still Of The Night

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)

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

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