Royal Counts

Review: 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.

Songlist: My Girl, Don't Have To Shop Around, Don't Look Back, He's The One Love Forgot, Made Up My Mind, Gypsy Woman, There Goes A Fool, When We Get Married, Farewell My Love, When You Wish Upon A Star, It's Growing, Time, I'll Always Love You, Peace Of Mind, Too Young, Valerie

Review: A Cappella Soul' is the CD version of a groundbreaking lp released by this Jersey City, New Jersey all male quintet. The Counts were the first recognized a cappella group to bridge the then formidable barrier between doo-wop and soul. A forerunner of the Persuasions' soundthe Counts were widely admired and imitated by 'hip' kids, and had a sizeable local following for the four years they were together, their airplay limited by the idea that a cappella doo-wop was a passing fad. They have a handful of originals written by the group on this CD, including the Introduction, 'Chim Chim,' 'Gypsy Whoa' and 'Got To Get A Little Closer,' but their forte was a cappella covers of soul favorites like 'Hey There Lonely Boy,' 'Tell Him,' 'The Way You Do The Things You Do,' 'Born To Love You,' 'Way Over There,' 'Isn't She Pretty,' 'No Man Is An Island' and 'I Want A Girl.' 17 amazing songs by one of the pioneers of a cappella doo-wop and soul.

Songlist: Hey There Lonely Boy, Tell Him, That's How I Feel, Over The Rainbow, He'll Be Back, The Way You Do The Things You Do, Fading Away, For All We Know, Chim Chim, Gypsy Whoa, Got To Get A Little Closer, Born To Love You, Way Over There, Isn't She Pretty, No Man Is An Island, I Want A Girl