The Volumes

"Dreams" and "Bells" are the only two tracks I really enjoyed on this release. Good sound quality but no liner notes.
This is the last post for this month. Next month I will try to focus more on soul harmony.
3 out of 10.

The Vocaleers

The best track on this release for me is "Is It A Dream". Other nice tracks include "Be True", "A Golden Tear", "The Night Is Quiet" and "Could You Adore Me". The sound quality varies. A must for the Doo Wop fan.
6 out of 10

Ben E. King

The first CD I have listed is a must have just for the track "I'll Forget About You" recorded when he was with the Crowns. Other nice tracks on that disc include "Oh My Love" and "Sometimes I Wonder". The second release focuses more on this big hits and expands into the latter part of his career.
5 out of 10.

Clyde McPhatter

Early R&B ballads and rockers featuring the founder of the Drifters. Highlights include "Seven Days", "Gone", "Oh What A Dream" and ""Let Me Know" apart from his big hits such as "Money Honey" and "A Lover's Question".
4 out of 10

The Drifters

Nice compilation of some of The Drifters' well known songs. A good addition to any fan of oldies music in general. If you are looking for the "low-rider sound" you might not get much out of this one.
4 out of 10.

Great Groups Of The 50's

A Good collection of tracks when it was first released. Unfortunately, all the good tracks are now an many other compilations including newer Collectables Records releases with better sound quality. If you must have these they are easy to find and inexpensive. Highlights include tracks by The Five Satins, The Vocaleers, The Charts, The Scarlets and a few others.
5 out of 10

The Jive Bombers

If you like the singling style of Clarence Palmer on "Bad Boy" you will also enjoy "Star Dust" and "Cherry". Other good tracks are "Oh What A Dream" and "I'm Yours". Sound quality varies on a few tracks.
5 out of 10

The Squires

Mid 1950's R&B out of Los Angeles. A must for the Doo Wop fan. Highlights include "Heavenly Angel", "Dreamy Eyes", "Venus" plus they do a good job on their covers of "Pledging My Love" and Earth Angel".
5 out of 10

The Coed Records Story

Some standard material by The Crests, The Duprees and The Rivieras that is pretty well known and available. The gems in this release for me are "All In Your Mind" by The Harptones and the beautiful "This Love That I'm Giving You" by The Joytones. Being it is an Ace Records release you can count on high quality sound and liner notes.
6 out of 10

Shoo Be Doo Be Doo Wop

Excellent sound quality on this release. No rare find bust still a good fare share of nice ballads. Highlights include tracks by The Cuff Links, The Capris, Don Julian & The Meadowlarks, The Jacks and a few other well known acts. A definitive add for the Doo Wop Fan.
7 out of 10

Great R&B Duets

Why is it that on the other side of the ocean Ace Records can put out excellent material on American R&B? What ever the reasons might be I am very grateful that Ace records does so and pays much attentions to sound quality and liner notes. This one features very nice material by Johnnie & Joe, The Teen Queens, Robert & Johnny, Joe & Ann and many others. Highly recommended for the early R&B fan.
8 out of 10.

Don & Dewey

Rocking west coast tunes by Don Harris and Dewey Terry. Mixed in with the faster tracks you will find the original "I'm Leaving It Up To You" and a killer ballad in "The Letter".
5 out of 10.

The Best Doo-Wops From Spry Records

"I've Cried Enough" by The Carousels is the only track that grabbed by attention on this release. Overall a pretty weak release for my taste.
2 out of 10.

The Best Doo-Wops Of Bandera Records

Really no standout ballad in this compilation. I picked it up bacause of the two Lovelites tracks. I really can't say I recommend this one.
2 out of 10.

The Untouchables

A good collection of The Untouchables' 1960's material. Highlights include "You're On Top", "You Lied", "You Know", "Here I Stand", "Savin' All My Love" and their cover of "Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight".
6 out of 10.

The Marlboros And The Jokers Six

A rare soul treat brought to us by Collectables Records. Good liner notes but the sound quality is not the best. Good tracks include "Real Live Girl", "I Do Love You", "So Much A Man Can Take", and "Ooh Baby Baby".
6 out of 10.

Johnny Ace

Mid 1950's treasures by another artist who departed too quickly. "Pledging My Love" has become a favorite among soul music fans worldwide. Other good tracks include "The Clock", "Cross My Heart" and "Anymore". A must for the early R&B fan.
6 out of 10.

Bobby Day (With Bob & Earl)

Another good release from Ace Records with excellent sound quality and liner notes. Best known for his rocking smash hit "Rockin' Robin", Bobby Day also recorded some nice ballads including "Life Can Be Beautiful" and with Earl Nelson as the duo Bob & Earl "Chains Of Love", "Gee Whiz" and "That's My Desire". A must for the Doo Wop / rock 'n' roll fan.
5 out of 10

Lenny Welch

 

 

A couple of nice tracks in this release. To me "Congratulations, Baby" is the highlight of this disc. Other, a bit sleepy but still interesting tracks include "I Need Someone", "Since I Fell For You" and "Are You Sincere".

4 out of 10.



The Wallace Brothers

I have to say I was a bit surprised after listening to this release given The Wallace Brothers recorded this material out of Muscle Shoals. I knew "Lover's Prayer" was a very good track but was expecting it to be the only track I would like. I found other tracks such as "Faith", Precious Words", "She Loves Me Not", and their take on "These Arms Of Mine" to be good making this pick up well worth it.
5 out of 10.

The Facts Of Life

Mid 1970's soul that just did not deliver what I was hoping it would. Their are some nice slow jams  but nothing I would really play often. Tracks of interest are "Did He Make Love To You", "Love Is The The Final Truth" and "Sometimes".
4 out of 10