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BARGAIN BASEMENT

COMPACT DISCS - Rhythm & Blues, Soul & Doo-Wop
 Various Artists - 1

 


VARIOUS ARTISTS Ace CDCHD 748 Miami Rockin' Doo Wop From Chart Records ● CD $18.98 $11.98
Now deleted. 28 track collection of doo-wop recorded for Henry Stone's Chart label in 1956 - many making their first appearance on CD - The Tru-Tones, Champions, Evergreens, Picadilly Pipers, Charms, etc.
RUFUS BEACHAM & GROUP: I Can't Believe/ THE CHAMPIONS: Annie Met Henry/ Big Bad Beulah/ Come On And Love Me/ It's Love It's Love/ Keep A-Rockin'/ Mexico Bound/ No Good Woman/ Pay Me Some Attention/ The Same Old Story/ THE CHARMS: Boom Diddy Boom Boom/ Heart Of A Rose/ I Offer You/ I'll Be True/ Love Love Stick Stov/ Love Love Stick Stov/ Love's Our Inspiration/ Love's Our Inspiration/ THE EVERGREENS: Guitar Player/ Very Truly Yours/ JOHNNY AND MARSHA: After School Date/ Be Mine/ Friends Until The End/ You Want Me/ THE PICCADILLY PIPERS AND THE PIC-A-DILLIES: A Lonely Lover's Prayer/ Mr Butterball/ THE TRU-TONES: Magic/ Tears In My Eyes

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Ace CDCHD 759 Group Harmony & Jump: Dig Masters, Vol. 5 ● CD $18.98 $12.98
26 track collection drawn from Johnny Otis's Dig label including many previously unissued titles
TONY ALLEN: I Found An Angel/ I'm Dreamin'/ I'm Still Your Fool/ Star of Love/ THE CLICK-CLACKS: A Teardrop Falls/ Baby I'm In The Mood For Love/ THE DING DONGS: Ding Dong (Saw Wood Mountain)/ LITTLE JULIAN HERRERA: Here In My Arms/ Lonely Lonely Nights/ Symbol of Heaven/ HAROLD LEWIS: The Drums In My Heart/ ABE MOORE: Way Down In My Heart/ PRENTICE MORELAND: My Mother's Eyes/ THE PHANTOMS: Crazy Little Beat/ My Delores/ My Sister Mildred/ Well Done/ THE SENDERS: Eagle Eyed Willie/ I'm Just A Lonely Fellow/ Uh Oh Treat Me Right/ JIMMY STEPHENS: Congratulations/ HENRY STROGIN & THE CROWNS: Why Did You Go Away/ SUGAR PIE & PEE WEE: Don't Ever Leave Me/ THE TEENETTES: I'm In Love/ THE VIDELS: Don't Cry/ Oh! Baby

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Acrobat ACRCD 333 Hot Harmony Groups, Vol. 4 - Choo Choo Bop ● CD $10.98 $8.98
20 tracks, 55 mins, highly recommended
Complementing Acrobat 204, 205 and 206 this is another great collection of pre-doo-wop vocal harmony ranging from the jumpin' jivey sounds of the title track by Doles Dickins And His Quintet to the mellow harmonizing of the Cats 'n Jammer Three to the bluesy stylings of Bette McLaurin & Group and all points in between. Also includes sides by Billy Bunn & His Buddies, The Ginger Snaps, The Five Breezes, The King Odom Four, Four Vagabonds, Three Keys and more - most making their first appearance on CD. Excellent sound and 12 page illustrated booklet with detailed notes by Bob Fisher. (FS)
BILLY BUNN & HIS BUDDIES: I Need A Shoulder To Cry On/ Until The Real Thing Comes Along/ THE CATS 'N' JAMMER THREE: 100 Years From Today/ THE CHARIOTEERS: Way Down Yonder In New Orleans/ THE DELTA RHYTHM BOYS: But She's My Buddy's Chick/ DOLES DICKINS & HIS QUINTET: Choo Choo Bop/ THE FIVE BREEZES: My Buddy Blues/ THE FOUR VAGABONDS: Taking My Chance With You/ THE GINGER SNAPS: Jukebox Joe/ THE HARMONAIRES: Dream/ ACE HARRIS: Always/ THE JONES BROTHERS: I Wanna Be Loved Just Like A Baby/ HERB KENNY & THE ROCKETS: My Song/ THE KING ODOM QUARTET: Lucky/ BETTE MCLAURIN: Do You Know Why/ THE QUINTONES: When My Sugar Walks Down The Street/ THE THREE KEYS: Heebie Jeebies/ That Doggone Dog Of Mine/ Wah Dee Dah/ THE VELVETONES: Pittsburgh Joe

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Acrobat 3011 New Orleans R&B Crescent City Classics ● CD $18.98 $13.98
2 disks, 50 tracks, 129 mins, highly recommended
An expansive collection featuring all of the stalwarts of the New Orleans Blues and R&B music scene from the last 60 years or so. Classic tracks by Fats Domino, Shirley & Lee, Roy Brown, Professor Longhair, Guitar Slim, Alma Monday and many, many other greats. Dave Bartholomew and his band contribute She's Got Great Big Eyes (and Great Big Thighs) and Country Boy under their own name, but also back up other artists on a large percentage of the other tracks. This pulls heavily from the Imperial, Aladdin, Atlantic & Mercury labels and also cherry picks some choice cuts like Fats Mathews I'm Thankful on Bayou records, Overboard and Jock a Mo from Sugarboy Crawford on Checker, etc. Not a lot in the way of songs that aren't represented on other releases, but a great compilation presented as it is from Acrobat. (JM)

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Acrobat ADDCD 3015 A Story Untold 1955 The Year Of Doowop ● CD $18.98 $14.98
50 tracks over 2 CDs, highly recommended
1955 really was an amazing year for Doo Wop. It's really mind blowing how much fantastic stuff came out in such a short time! Acrobat does a great job on this compilation--50 tracks of the best of the best, with an extensive booklet chock full of band histories and photos. (JM)
THE BARONS: Eternally Yours/ THE CADILLACS: Speedo/ THE CARDINALS: Come Back My Love/ The Door Is Still Open/ THE CHARMS: Two Hearts/ THE CLEFFTONES: The Masquerade Is Over/ THE CLOVERS: Blue Velvet/ Devil Or Angel/ THE DANDERLIERS: Chop Chop Boom/ THE DIABLOS: Daddy Rocking Strong/ Route 16/ The Way You Dog Me Around/ THE DRIFTERS: Adorable/ Steamboat/ THE EL DORADOS: At My Front Door/ THE EMPIRES: Make Me Or Break Me/ THE FIVE KEYS: Close Your Eyes/ Ling Ting Tong/ The Verdict/ THE FLAMINGOS: I Want To Love You/ That's My Baby (chicka Boom)/ THE FOUR FELLOWS: Angels Say/ Soldier Boy/ THE HARPTONES: Life Is But A Dream/ THE HEARBEATS: Crazy For You/ THE HEARTBEATS: Your Way/ THE HEARTS: Lonely Nights/ THE LEADERS: Stormy Weather/ CLYDE MCPHATTER AND THE DRIFTERS: Watcha Gonna Do/ THE MIDNIGHTERS: It's Love Baby (24 Hours A Day)/ THE MOONGLOWS: Most Of All/ Sincerely/ THE NUTMEGS: Ship Of Love/ Story Untold/ THE ORCHIDS: You're Everything To Me/ THE PENGUINS: Be Mine Or Be A Fool/ Earth Angel/ THE PLATTERS: Only You/ The Great Pretender/ THE RAINBOWS: Mary Lee/ THE REGALS: Got The Water Boiling/ THE ROBINS: Smokey Joe's CafÈ/ THE SENSATIONS: Yes Sir That's My Baby/ THE SOLITAIRES: The Wedding/ THE SPANIELS: Painted Pictures/ THE SPIDERS: 21/ Witchcraft/ THE TURBANS: When You Dance/ THE VALENTINES: Lily Maebelle/ ANDRE WILLIAMS AND THE DON JUANS: Going Down To Tijuana

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Acrobat ADDCD 3053 The Lamp Records Story ● CD $18.98 $13.98
Two CD set, 51 tracks, highly recommended
Another terrific label oriented collection from Acrobat - this time devoted to the Lamp label - formed in 1954 as a subsidiary of Los Angeles based Aladdin Records to focus mostly on East Coast based artists. Between 1954 and '57 the label issued 29 singles so this set comprises most of the labels releases. The label was active in 1954 issuing blues, R&B and gospel recordings from Leonard Lee (one half of Shirley & Lee, recorded in New Orleans), female vocal group The Cookies (soon to move to Atlantic and eventually become The Raeletts), solo sides by Cookies member Margie Hendricks, superb gospel quartet The Skylight Singers who first recorded in the mid 40s and others. The label was inactive in 1955 but returned in 1956 with it's new 2000 series with performances aimed at the burgeoning rock 'n' roll market featuring up tempo R&B and doo-wop ballads from Sheri Washington, The LOvers (actually Tarheel Slim & Little Anne on a selection of ballads), The Sharps (fine bluesy vocal group), The Tantones, Troopers, Heart-Throbs (with a fine female lead who sounds like Little Esther), Minor Bops and others. There's one blues cut from this period from the excellent Rebecca Williams recorded in San Francisco with the Fats Gaines band including an excellent guitar player. Excellent sound and informative notes. (FS)
THE CAROLS: Keko/ My Search Is Over/ JOHNNY COOK: It's All In Your Mind/ My Dear, Dear Darling/ THE COOKIES: All Night Mambo/ Hold Me Hold Me Hold Me/ THE CUES: Forty 'Leven Different Ways/ Scoochie Scoochie/ THE DAYBREAKERS: I Wonder Why/ Up, Up And Away/ BONNIE EVANS: Good Luck To You/ Leave Your Love To Me/ THE HEART THROBS: All The Way Home/ So Glad/ MARGIE HENDRICKS: Every Time/ Good Treatment/ THE INSPIRATIONS: Don't Cry/ Indian Jane/ LEONARD LEE: Tryin' To Fool Me/ When The Sun Goes Down/ THE LOVERS: Darling It's Wonderful/ Got A Whole Lot Of Lovin'/ I Wanna Be Loved/ Let's Elope/ Tell Me/ THE MELLO-FELLOWS: Iddy Biddy Baby/ My Friend Charlie/ THE MINOR BOPS: Need You Tonight/ Want You For My Own/ CLARENCE SAMUELS: Crazy With The Heat/ Life Don't Mean A Thing/ SLIM SAUNDERS: For Me And My Girl/ No One Can Love You Like I Do/ THE SHARPS: Lock My Heart/ Our Love Is Here To Stay/ JIMMY SIMMS: Mystery Of Love/ Nobody But You/ THE SKYLIGHT SINGERS: Certainly Lord/ I'm Going Back Home/ Lord Have Mercy/ Thank You Jesus/ THE TANTONES: I Love You, Really I Do/ No Matter/ So Afraid/ Tell Me/ THE TROOPERS: Get Out/ My Resolution/ SHERI WASHINGTON: Ain't I Talkin' To You Baby/ I Got Plenty/ REBECCA WILLIAMS: Please Give Me A Match/ Take A Care Of My Heart

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Acrobat 4188 R&B Jukebox Hits - 1944, Vol. 1 (26 tracks) ● CD $13.98 $10.98
26 tracks, highly recommended
The 1944 charts evidence a stronger blues flavor than the prevous year as well as a number of topical songs including Ration Blues by Louis Jordan and Johnny Mercer's original recording of G.I. Jive which is better known from Louis Jordan's cover which, ironically, topped the pop charts while Mercer's topped the Harlem Hit Parade charts. Dinah Washington had her first hit this year with he recording of Leonard Feather's Salty papa Blues. This year also featured some of the first vocal group hits with two songs by The 5 Red Caps and the biggest seller in a long time with Cecil Gant's wistful blues ballad I Wonder which was one of the first 78s to be counterfeited by unscrupulous operators. All in all a fascinating and varied collection with informative notes by Bob Fisher. (FS)
THE 5 RED CAPS: Boogie Woogie/ I Learned A Lesson I'll Neve Forget/ BENNY CARTER: Hurry Hurry/ NAT "KING" COLE: It's Only A Paper Moon/ BILLY ECKSTINE: I Stay In The Mood For You/ DUKE ELLINGTON: Do Nothing Til You Hear From Me/ I Don't Mind/ Main Stem/ ELLA FITZGERALD: Cow Cow Boogie/ I'm Making Believe/ Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall/ CECIL GANT: I Wonder/ LIONEL HAMPTON: Hamp's Boogie Woogie/ COLEMAN HAWKINS: Body And Soul/ ERSKINE HAWKINS: Cherry/ JOHNNY HODGES: Going Out The Back Way/ HARRY JAMES: Cherry/ BUDDY JOHNSON: When My Man Comes Home/ LOUIS JORDAN: Ration Blues/ THE KING COLE TRIO: Gee Baby Ain't I Good To You/ Straighten Up And Fly Right/ JOHNNY MERCER: G.I. Jive/ DINAH WASHINGTON: Salty Papa Blues/ COOTIE WILLIAMS: Cherry Red Blues/ Is You is Or is You Ain't/ LESTER YOUNG: Sometimes I'm Happy

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Acrobat 4191 R&B Jukebox Hits - 1947, Vol. 1 ● CD $13.98 $10.98
24 tracks, 72 mins, highly recommended
What was shakin' and bakin' in 1947? Open The Door Richard was certainly a craze. This song was originally a Vaudeville skit successfully performed, individually, by both John "Spider Bruce" Mason and Dusty Fletcher; by '47 it was a novelty song waiting to be a hit. On this CD, Count Basie and his Orchestra and Dusty Fletcher treat us to two grand versions, respectively. There were a lot of great versions of the song: my favorite is Louis Jordon's, which isn't here, though he is represented on the disc. Ole '47 was a banner year for Louis Jordon and His Tympani Five and they deservedly have three monster tracks, Texas and Pacific/ Jack, You're Dead, and Boogie Woogie Blue plate. LJ & The T5 weren't the only ones boogieing, either; Sonny Boy Williamson is workin' real hard to Shake The Boogie, Eddie Vinson and His Orchestra got the Old Maid Boogie going on, and Albert Ammons and His Rhythm Kings are even doing the Swanee River Boogie. Not everybody got the boogie though; Lionel Hampton and His Septet with Dinah Washington got the Blow Top Blues real bad and the New Orleans Blues that Johnny Moore's Three Blazers have might just be incurable. All that and a whole lot more was happening; the thing that ties them all together is that they all had a big time in '47. So, when you get the chance to pick up this winner, remember the words of Julia Lee and Her Boyfriends when they sang "(Opportunity Knocks But Once) Snatch and Grab It." (JM)
ALBERT AMMONS: Swanee River Boogie/ GENE AMMONS: Red Top/ COUNT BASIE: Open The Door Richard/ SAVANNAH CHURCHILL: I Want To Be Loved/ NAT KING COLE: Meet Me At No Special Place/ ELLA FITZGERALD: That's My Desire/ DUSTY FLETCHER: Open The Door Richard/ LIONEL HAMPTON: I Want To Be Loved/ ERSKINE HAWKINS: Hawk's Boogie/ BULLMOOSE JACKSON: I Love You Yes I Do/ LOUIS JORDAN: Boogie Woogie Blue Plate/ Jack Your Dead/ Texas And Pacific/ JULIA LEE: Snatch And Grab It/ JOE LIGGINS: Blow Mr. Jackson/ NELLIE LUTCHER: He's A Real Gone Guy/ Hurry On Down/ JOHNNY MOORE'S THREE BLAZERS: Merry Christmas Baby/ New Orleans Blues/ EDDIE VINSON: Kidney Stew Blues/ Old Maid Boogie/ T-BONE WALKER: Bobby Sox Baby/ DINAH WASHINGTON: Blow Top Blues/ SONNY BOY WILLIAMSON: Shake The Boogie

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Acrobat ACMCD 4192 R&B Jukebox Hits, 1948 Volume 1 ● CD $13.98 $10.98
25 tracks, 70 mins, highly recommended 1948 was a fantastic and diverse year on the Rhythm & Blues charts (or Race music as it would still be called for another year.) A year when a few unique female vocalist ruled the charts: Julia Lee - King Size Papa, and That's What I Like, Rose Murphy with her I Can't Give You Anything But Love, and the sensational Nellie Lutcher with The Song Is Ended, Fine Brown Frame, and Come and Get It Honey. Then you had two rare chart appearances from cool Jazz cats Charlie Parker and his All Stars with Barbados, and Dizzy Gillespie with Manteca. Then there's T. Bone Walker, The Ravens, Wynonie Harris, Bull Moose Jackson, to name but a few more solid senders from '48. This year of great diversity even saw a huge song by a Gospel group, The Trumpeteers and their hit Milky White Way. Great year, great compilation, you will have a great time listening to it. (JM)
THE BIG THREE TRIO: You Sure Look Good To Me/ DIZZY GILLESPIE & HIS ORCHESTRA: Manteca/ TINY GRIMES QUINTET: Midnight Special/ WYNONIE HARRIS: Good Rockin' Tonight/ BULL MOOSE JACKSON & HIS BUFFALO BEARCATS: I Want A Bowlegged Woman/ Sneaky Pete/ LONNIE JOHNSON: Tomorrow Night/ JULIA LEE & HER BOY FRIENDS: King Size Papa/ That's What I Like/ NELLIE LUTCHER & HER RHYTHM: Come And Get It, Honey/ Fine Brown Frame/ The Song Is Ended/ JOE LUTCHER'S JUMP BAND: Shuffle Woogie/ MEMPHIS SLIM & HIS HOUSEROCKERS: Messin' Around/ ROSE MURPHY: I Can't Give You Anything But Love/ CHARLIE PARKER ALL STARS: Barbados/ THE RAVENS: Ol' Man River/ Write Me A Letter/ HAL SINGER SEXTETTE: Corn Bread/ SONNY THOMPSON WITH THE SHARPS & FLATS: Long Gone/ THE TRUMPETEERS: Milky White Way/ T-BONE WALKER & HIS GUITAR: Call It Stormy Monday/ Long Skirt Baby Blues/ DINAH WASHINGTON: Ain't Misbehavin'/ PAUL WILLIAMS SEXTETTE: Thirty-five Thirty

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Acrobat ACMCD 4227 R&B Jukebox Hits, 1955: Volume 2 April-July ● CD $13.98 $10.98
Another 25 winners starting in April with Don't Be Angry by Nappy Brown and ending in July with Mannish Boy by Muddy Waters and including sides by Ivory Joe Hunter, Bo Diddley, fats Domino, LaVern Baker, Gene & Eunice, Ruth Brown, The Marigolds, The Platters (their big crossover hit Only You), The Five Keys, Ray Charles and more.
LAVERN BAKER: Bop Ting A Ling/ That’s All I Need/ LOUIS BROOKS AND HIS HI-TOPPERS: It’s Love Baby (24 Hours A Day)/ NAPPY BROWN: Don’t Be Angry/ Pitter Patter/ RUTH BROWN: As Long As I’m Moving/ I Can See Everybody’s Baby/ THE CARDINALS: The Door Is Still Open/ RAY CHARLES: A Fool For You/ This Little Girl Of Mine/ BO DIDDLEY: Bo Diddley/ Diddley Daddy/ I’m A Man/ FATS DOMINO: Ain’t It A Shame/ THE FIVE KEYS: The Verdict/ LOWELL FULSON: Loving You (Is All I Crave)/ GENE AND EUNICE: This Is My Story/ IVORY JOE HUNTER: Silly/ LITTLE WALTER: Roller Coaster/ THE MARIGOLDS: Rollin’ Stone/ THE MOONGLOWS: Most Of All/ THE NUTMEGS: Story Untold/ THE PLATTERS: Only You/ MUDDY WATERS: Mannish Boy/ HOWLIN’ WOLF: Who Will Be Next

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Acrobat ACMCD 4249 The Herald Doowop Story (24 tracks) ● CD $13.98 $11.98
24 tracks, highly recommended
First in a series of CDs to document the vocal group output of Al Silver's Herald and Ember labels based out of New York. Between 1953 and 1964 his labels issued hundreds of vocal group sides - many of which have become all time classics and included here like A Story Untold by The Nutmegs, When You Dance by The Turbans, Tonite Tonite by The Mello Kings (an alternate take is used here), Stay by Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs. There are also lots of fine lesser known titles from The Embers, The Rocketeers (their amazing Gonna Feed My Baby Poison), The Five Willows, Sunbeams, Cashmeres, Little Butchie & His Buddies, The Four J's, The Loungers, etc. New York doo-wop at its finest. Excellent sound and 12 page booklet has notes on all the groups. (FS)
THE CASHMERES: Do I Upset You/ THE CONCORDS: Marlene/ THE DESIRES: Cold Lonely Heart/ THE DYNAMICS: Betty My Own/ THE EMBERS: Paradise Hill/ THE FIVE WILLOWS: Lay Your Head On My Shoulder/ So Help Me I Love You/ THE FOUR J'S: Dreams Are A Dime A Dozen/ THE HERALDS: Eternal Love/ LITTLE BUTCHIE & HIS BUDDIES: Lindy Lou/ THE LOUNGERS: Dizzy Spell/ THE MELLO KINGS: Tonite Tonite (alternate)/ THE MELLOKINGS: Chip Chip (alternate)/ THE MINT JULEPS: Vip A Dip/ THE NUTMEGS: A Story Untold/ Ship Of Love/ THE PREMIERS: Diary Of Our Love/ THE ROCKETEERS: Gonna Feed My Baby Poison/ THE SONNETS: Why Should We Break Up/ THE SUNBEAMS: Come Back Baby/ THE THRILLERS: Please Talk To Me/ THE TURBANS: When You Dance/ THE VOCALAIRES: Dance Dance/ MAURICE WILLIAMS AND THE ZODIACS: Stay

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Acrobat ACMCD 4318 Ember Doo Wop ● CD $13.98 $10.98
24 tracks, highly recommended
Complementing Acrobat 4249 (The Herald Doowop Story, Vol. 1 - $15.98) this great disc features 24 tracks recorded for Herald's sister label Ember which was originally founded by Jack Angel and Duke Ellington's son Mercer in 1953 and subsequently acquired by Herald. The label notched up three massive vocal group hits - the sublime ballad In The Still Of The Night and To The Aisle, Get A Job by The Silhouettes in 1958 (all included here). Although the label had no other big hits it issued a series of fine vocal group discs and this disc features 24 of them including more from the Five Satins plus sides by The Smoothtones, The Concords, Kenny Esquire & The Starlites, The Marktones, Boptones, Wonders and others. Excellent sound and booklet with informative notes by Bob Fisher. (FS)
THE BARRIES: Mary Ann/ Why Don't You Write Me/ THE BOPTONES: Be My Pussycat/ THE CAMELOTS: Pocahontas/ DAVE CLOWNEY BAND: Soft Lights/ THE COLONAIRES: Sandy/ THE CONCORDS: L'll Always Say Please/ THE EDSELS: Three Precious Words/ KENNY ESQUIRE & THE STARLITES: Pretty Brown Eyes/ THE FABULONS: Smoke From Your Cigarette/ THE FIVE SATINS: A Night To Remember/ I'll Be Seeing You/ In The Still Of The Night/ To The Aisle/ THE ILLUSIONS: Why Can't We Fall In Love/ THE MARKTONES: Hold Me Close/ THE MIFFLIN TRIPLETS: I Do I Do I Do/ THE PARAMOUNTS: In A Dream/ ROGER & THE TRAVELERS: You're Daddy's Little Girl/ THE SILHOUETTES: Get A Job/ Headin' For The Poor House/ THE SMOOTHTONES: Dear Diary/ THE STARLARKS: Fountain Of Love/ THE WONDERS: Hey Senorita

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS BGP CDBGPD 194 The Godfather's R&B - James Brown's Productions,1962-67 ● CD $18.98 $13.98
22 tracks, 59 min, highly recommended
Having one of the sharpest bands in the business was never enough for James Brown, so he put together his famous Revue, which resembled a sort of farm team of up and coming soul acts. This compilation collects Brown-produced sides featuring his revue artists, including his back up band. Because of ongoing trouble with King Records owner Sid Nathan, Brown began producing sides for the Mercury, its Smash subsidiary, as well as the associated Blue Rock label, his own Try Me label, Crescent, and a few others. While not uniformly excellent, plenty are just that and the others are at least uniformly interesting. Of Brown's female singers, only Anna King merited an LP (released on Philips and recently reissued on CD), and That's When I Cry and If You Don"t Think offer more than a glimpse into the reason why. Still, for many, the shamefully under-promoted Vicki Anderson was the real star of the stable, and her Wide Awake In A Dream, while far from the proto-funk sound Brown was developing, easily out-classes everything here. Still, Bobby Byrd's I'll Be Pressing On, The Jewell's Lookie Lookie Lookie, Yvonne Fair's I Found You (later reworked by Brown as I Feel Good), Rev. Willingham's (ex-Swanee Quintet) That's The Spirit and others are outstanding. And, yes, Tammy Montgomery, who sings I Cried and worked for Brown for 9 months, later recorded for Motown as Tammi Terrell. Other artists include James Crawford, Al "Brisco" Clark & His Orchestra, Dizzy Jones, The Poets, Elsie Mae, and The Five Royales. If you were taking a college class on James Brown, this stuff would be on the mid term, as it is, it should be in you CD player. (JC)
 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Blue Label 49742 The Rich Records Story ● CD $16.98 $11.98
22 tracks, 54 min., recommended
Before Nashville disc jockey "John R" Richbourg started the Sound Stage 7 label, he created the Rich label, which boasted no hits but several interesting performances. The 6 cuts of Bobby Hebb are pre-Sunny and show off his country leanings, covering Night Train To Memphis, a Roy Acuff-associated number. Interestingly, four of Hebb's cuts feature the great New Orleans pianist James Booker and a young Mac "Dr. John" Rebbenack on guitar! Hebb's pop tendencies surface now and again, but the Rich tracks do have some grit. He does his best Ray Charles on Cherry, and his best is pretty good. Also worth hearing is Lattimore Brown, who went on to record some fine soul records with Richboug on his other labels. (And none of his 6 tracks are duplicated on the recent AIM release, which is well worth picking up.) Detroiter J.J. Barnes first record (Won't You Let Me Know) is here too (one side of it anyway), having been released initially on the Kable label and quickly leased by Richbourg. Motown trivia buffs should know that the background singers on Barnes' track are The Del-Phis, who later called themselves Martha Reeves & the Vandellas. And the Cornell Blakely song I Got That Feeling features the much-praised Funk Brothers. The 3 Jimmy Church pieces went unissued at the time but deserve to have been radio favorites. The few cuts that represent Richbourg's own attempt at becoming a music sensation can be avoided without any sense of loss. (He merely talks his way through the songs, a tradition that William Shatner would later perfect on his excellent "Has Been" album.) Enough cool stuff here to make it worthwhile, although not uniformly wonderful. (JC)

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Charly SNAX 601 Blax-Plosion ● CD $18.98 $11.98
2 CDs, 26 tracks, 1 hour 46 min., highly recommended The earliest cut here is The Meters' Chicken Strut from 1969, but almost all of these sides first hit wax in the 1970s when funk became a national phenomenon instead of a series of regional ones. Most of the performers here are well known, if not always for funk. And while the jazzy horn funk of Jimmy McGriff's Stump Juice is serviceable, it ain't a classic. Same goes for both cuts by The Last Poets ( and Jazzoetry). The listener is better served by Ripple's Ripplin', Maceo And All The King's Men's cover of Sly's Thank You For Letting Me Be Myself Again and Mag Poo, Curtis Mayfield's Short Eyes, and Joe Tex's indispensable You Said A Bad Word. Mavis Staples' atypically sexually charged Koochie Koochie Koochie anticipates to some degree the soulless and mindless disco that followed and only grazes the target, while Buddy Rich's (!) Chameleon misses altogether. But winners outnumber their mediocre brethren, and you can always pick up Maceo's CD if the funk itch still needs scratching. Here's hoping for a Ripple CD. (JC)

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Chess (UK) 9830153 Chess Northern Soul ● CD $14.98 $10.98
Fine selection of 20 cuts of soul sides popular in the British Northern Soul clubs recorded for Chess, Checker and Cadet between 1965 and 1972. Includes quite a few tracks not readily elsewhere. Includes tracks from Marlena Shaw, The Radiants, Denise LaSalle, The Gospel Classics, Tony Clarke, Little Milton, The Dells, Tommy & Cleve, Ramsey Lewis & others. Includes 16 page booklet with notes, photos & label shots.
FONTELLA BASS: Leave It In The Hands Of Love/ TERRY CALLIER: Look At Me Now/ Ordinary Joe/ TONY CLARKE: Landslide/ The Fugitive Kind/ THE DELLS: Make Sure/ Run For Cover/ Wear It On Our Face/ MAMIE GALORE: It Ain't Necessary/ THE GEMS: I Can't Help Myself/ THE GOSPEL CLASSICS: More Love That's What We Need/ DENISE LASALLE: A Love Reputation/ RAMSEY LEWIS: Wade In The Water/ LITTLE MILTON: More And More/ You Colored My Blues Bright/ BOBBY MCCLURE: Peak Of Love/ THE RADIANTS: Hold On/ MARLENA SHAW: Let's Wade In The Water/ TOMMY & CLEVE: Boo Ga Loo Baby/ THE VALENTINOS: Sweeter Than The Day Before

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Collectables 5051 Harlem Holiday Vol. 1 - New York Rhythm & Blues ● CD $12.98 $7.98
The vocal group material on this collection (the first of seven) is made up entirely of singles issued in 1957 on the Holiday label. Choice cuts include 2 beautiful ballads by The Bop Chords, (I>My Darling To You & I Really Love Her So, the toe tappin' In My Thunderbird, a collector's classic by The Thunderbirds, plus such memorable perfs as Lorraine by The Harmonaires, United by The Love Notes, I Want To Know by The Ladders and Jimmy (Handy Man) Jones with The Pretenders doing Tonight. Fine and rare material from this important New York doo-wop label. (OLN)
THE BOP CHORDS: Baby/ Castle In The Sky, A/ I Really Love Her So/ My Darling To You/ So Why/ When I Woke Up This Morning/ THE HARMONAIRES: Come Back/ Lorraine/ THE LADDERS: Counting The Stars/ I Want To Know/ THE LOVE NOTES: Don't Go/ If I Could Make You Mine/ Tonight/ United/ THE PRETENDERS: I Love You So/ Tonight/ THE THUNDERBIRDS: In My Thunderbird/ Mary

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Collectables 5052 Harlem Holiday, Vol. 2 - New York R & B ● CD $12.98 $8.98
A 14 track collection of boss vocal group material from many of Bobby Robinson's labels - Fire, Fury, Red Robin, Whirling Disc & Everlast, covering the l951 thru "57 period. Stand-outs include While Our Hearts Are Yound by The Federals, the ground-breaking ballad How Could You by The Mello Moods and the soulful Magic Mirror by The Whirlers. Other doo-wopping teams include The Channels, Topps, Angels, Teenchords, Scarlets, Quadrells, Charts, "C" Tones, Hemlocks, Pretenders & Extremes. Good average sound quality. (OLN)
THE C-NOTES: On Your Mark/ THE CHARTS: My Diane/ THE FEDERALS: While Our Hearts Are Young/ CARL HOGAN & THE MIRACLES: Your Love Is All I Need/ EARL LEWIS AND THE CHANNELS: Girl Next Door, The/ My Heart Is Sad/ LEWIS LYMON & THE TEENCHORDS: Please Tell The Angels/ THE MELLO MOODS: How Could You/ THE PRETENDERS: Close Your Eyes/ THE QUADRELLS: Come To Me/ LITTLE BOBBY RIVERA AND THE HEMLOCKS: Cora Lee/ THE SCARLETS: True Love/ THE TOPPS: What Do You Do (To Make Me Love You So)/ THE WHIRLERS: Magic Mirror

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Collectables 5053 Harlem Holiday, Vol. 3 - New York R & B ● CD $12.98 $8.98
A collection of important vocal harmony waxings from many of Bobby Robinson's labels - Fury, Red Robin, Whirling Disc & Everlast, covering the 1954 thru "61 period. All-time classics include Teenage Dream by The Deltars, Dear Lorraine by The Federals, One Love by The Logics and Don't Fall In Love by The Sequins. Label-mates include The Topps, Charts, Channels, De Mauriers, Du-Droppers, Empires, Scarlets, Skylarks and Jackie Rue with The Starlites. Good solid collection. (OLN)
THE CHANNELS: Flames In My Heart/ I Really Love You/ THE CHARTS: All Because Of Love/ THE DU MAURIERS: All Night Long/ THE DU-DROPPERS: Come On And Love Me Baby/ THE EMPIRES: Whispering Heart/ THE FEDERALS: Dear Loraine/ JACKIE & THE STARLITES: I Found Out Too Late/ THE LOGICS: One Love/ PEARL AND THE DELTARS: Teenage Dream/ THE SCARLETS: Kiss Me/ THE SEQUINS: Don't Fall In Love/ THE SKYLARKS: Everybody's Got Somebody/ THE TOPPS: I've Got A Feeling

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Collectables 5054 Harlem Holiday, Vol 4 - New York Rhythm & Blues ● CD $12.98 $8.98
Beautiful collection of doo-wop ditties from Paul Winley and Cyclone labels, recorded between 1956 and 1960. This set duplicates Relic 5019, Golden Classics - Part 7 - Best of Winley. Unlike the Relic collection, it omits all group photos & sleeve notes. Unbeatable sides by Julius McMichael & The Paragons--Florence, Twilight & Let's Start All Over Again. Plus three ageless classics by Adam Jackson & The Jesters--Oh Baby, The Wind & The Plea. Strong supporting cast includes The Collegians, Calendars, Quinns and the incomparable Duponts, better known as Little Anthony & The Imperials. Strong set. (OLN)
THE COLLEGIANS: On Your Merry Way/ Zoom, Zoom, Zoom/ THE DUPONTS: You/ THE DUPORTS: Must Be Falling In Love/ THE JESTERS: Oh Baby/ Plea, The/ Wind, The/ THE PARAGONS: Florence/ Let's Start All Over Again/ Twilight/ THE PERSUADERS: Tears/ THE PRETENDERS: What Could It Be/ THE QUINNS: Hong Kong/ Oh Starlight

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Collectables 5055 Harlem Holiday, Vol. 5 - New York Rhythm & Blues ● CD $12.98 $8.98
Fine set of vocal-harmony platters from Al Silver's Ember, Herald & Standard labels recorded between 1953 & 1957. Contains doo-wop gold like Paradise Hill by The Embers, Story Untold by Leroy Griffin & The Nutmegs, When You Dance by The Turbans, In The Still Of The Night by Fred Paris & The 5 Satins & Lizabeth by The Thrillers. Others in the groove include The Sunbeams, Smooth Tones, Rocketeers, Starlites, 5 Willows, Colonairs & Heralds. Good start-up collection for the new collector. No pics or sleeve notes, as with all the others in the series. (OLN)
THE COLONAIRS: Sandy/ THE EMBERS: Paradise Hill/ THE FIVE SATINS: In The Still Of The Night/ THE FIVE WILLOWS: Lay Your Head On My Shoulder/ THE HERALDS: Eternal Love/ THE NUTMEGS: Story Untold/ Whispering Sorrows/ THE ROCKETERS: Foolish One/ THE SMOOTH TONES: Dear Diary/ THE STARLITES: They Call Me A Dreamer/ THE SUNBEAMS: Tell Me Why/ THE THRILLERS: Lizabeth/ THE TURBANS: Congratulations/ When You Dance

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Collectables 5209 Harlem Rock N' Blues Vol. 2 ● CD $12.98 $7.98
Since Bobby Robinson founded Red Robin Records in 1951, his production and promotion of great solid blues, vocal, and instrumental R&B have remained virtually unsurpassed to this day. Volume 2 embraces the talents of King Curtis, "Wild" Jimmy Spruill, Champion Jack Dupree, Red Prysock, Buster Brown, Hal Paige and The Whalers, Noble Watts and June Bateman. Hard R&B of the delirium tremens school. Usual sloppy packaging from Collectables, but the sounds are definitely worth it. Some duplication with previous foreign and domestic vinyl/ CD reissues. (OLN)
JOHNNY ACEY: Baby Please Come Back/ B. BROWN: Candied Yams/ JOHNNY CLEF: Baby Please Come Home/ KING CURTIS: Harmonica Twist/ DR. HORSE: South Poke, West Virginia/ CHAMPION JACK DUPREE: Drunk Again/ Shim Sham Shimmy/ BROWNIE MCGHEE: Daisy/ HAL PAGE: After Hour Blues/ PAUL PERRIMAN: I Don't Need Nothin' Else/ RED PRYSOCK: Hard Rock/ Jump For George/ RIFF RUFFIN: All My Life/ I Don't Mind/ WILD JIMMY SPRUILL: Cut And Dried/ Kansas City March/ SONNY TERRY: Harmonica Hop/ NOBLE WATTS AND JUNE BATEMAN: Possum Belly Overalls

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Collectables 5210 Harlem Rock N' Blues Vol. 3 ● CD $13.98 $8.98
More juke jumpin' finger busting inflammability from Bobby Robinson's 125th and 8th Avenue juice factory. Wowsters include "Wild" Jimmy Spruill's movingly beautiful Lonesome Melody, Champion Jack Dupree's down in the alley rendition of Highway Blues supported by Sonny Terry's anguished harmonica, Red Prysock's booting Hammer and the raunchy Cross Your Fingers Twist by the late great King Curtis. Assisting alumni include Tiny Grimes, The Whalers, and The Chas Lucas Combo. Some dupe with recent foreign and domestic product. (OLN)
JOHNNY ACEY: Please Don't Go/ KING CURTIS: Cross Your Fingers/ JACK DUPREE: Highway Blues/ Stumbling Block Blues/ TINY GRIMES: Second Floor Rear/ WILLIS JACKSON: Hello..."Gater" Speaking/ Makin' It/ CHARLES LUCAS: Walkin'/ BROWNIE MCGHEE: Don't Dog Your Woman/ HAL PAIGE & THE WAILERS: Going Back To My Home Town/ PAUL PERRIMAN: Work To Be Done/ RED PRYSOCK: Hammer, The/ Jackpot/ RIFF RUFFIN: Gravy Train/ BUDDY SKIPPER: The Clock/ JIMMY SPRUILL: Lonesome Melody/ Raisin' Hell/ NOBLE WATTS: Jookin'

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Collectables 5460 Spotlite On Gone Records, Vol. 1 ● CD $13.98 $8.98
14 tracks, 33 min., recommended
This first volume in the two from Collectables that will review the output of New York's Gone Records is a winner. The featured artists to some extent are the Dubs with four cuts here: Don't Ask Me to Be Lonely/ Such Lovin'/ Beside My Love, and Chapel of Dreams. Numbers by other contributors include the delightful and previously unreleased Bad News by the Carouseles (sic), Angel Face by the Neons, Spanish Lace by the Four Seasons, How Was I to Know by the Uniques, and Stay As You Are by the Channels. Fine sound and decent graphics but no notes (DH)
THE CAROUSELES: Bad News (previously Unreleased)/ Never Let Him Go/ THE CHANNELS: Stay As You Are/ THE DELTAS: Lamplight/ THE DUBS: Beside My Love/ Chapel Of Dreams/ Don't Ask Me To Be Lonely/ Such Lovin'/ THE ENCHANTMENTS: I Love You (sherry)/ THE FOUR SEASONS: Spanish Lace/ THE NEONS: Angel Face/ NICKY & THE NOBELS: School Bells/ THE UNIQUES: How Was I To Know/ I'm Confessin'

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Collectables 5656 Spotlite On Herald Records, Vol. 1 ● CD $13.98 $8.98
25 tracks, 63 min., recommended
Highlights of this collection include Tonite-Tonite by the Mello-Kings, Ship of Love by the Nutmegs, Congratulations by the Turbans, Lizabeth by the Thrillers, Tell Me Why by the Sunbeams, Bells of Love by the Mint Juleps, Eternal Love by the Heralds, So Help Me by the 5 Willows, and The Winds by Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs. Great 50's vocal group music. (DH)
 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Collectables 5657 Spotlite On Herald Records, Vol. 2 ● CD $13.98 $8.98
25 more doo-wop gems recorded for New York's Herald label in the mid 50s including sides by The Nutmegs (four songs including their classic Story Untold), The Turbans, Mello King, Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs (three tracks including their wonderful Stay), The Smart Tones, Dynamics, Concords, Thrillers, Five Willows, Little Butchie Sanders, The Premeers and Patty & The Emblems,
 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Collectables 5761 Constellation Of Chicago Soul ● CD $13.98 $9.98
25 cuts of mid 60s soul recorded for the Chicago based Constellation label - Gene Chandler, Bobby Miller, Nolan Chance, Holly Maxwell, Gerri Taylor, The Impellas, etc.
NOLAN CHANCE: Don't Use Me/ If He Makes You (He's Free To Take You)/ Just Like The Weather/ She's Gone (And She Won't Be Back)/ GENE CHANDLER: I Can Take Care Of Myself/ I Can't Save It/ Rainbow '65 (Full Version)/ Wish You Were Here/ LEE DORSEY: I Gotta Find A New Love/ Messed Around (And Fell In Love)/ SONNY HOLIDAY: Baby,Baby/ THE IMPELLAS: No More Tears/ HOLLY MAXWELL: (Happiness Will Cost You) One Thin Dime/ It's Impossible/ Let Him Go For Himself/ Only When Your Lonely/ BOBBY MILLER: Big Question, The/ I'm For The Girls/ Love Take The Case (For Me)/ Simon Says/ This Is My Dance/ Uncle Willie Time/ THE PEACHES: Baby Think It Over/ GERRI TAYLOR: Come Home I'm Lonely/ Empty Arms And Bitter Tears

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Collectables 5762 Constellation Of Rhythm & Blues ● CD $13.98 $9.98
25 tracks recorded for Chicago based Constellation label in the mid 60s - The Sheppards, Sonny Holiday, Gene Chandler, The Dynettes, etc.
AL & BUNKY: Home Work/ GENE CHANDLER: I Hate To Be The One To Say/ Mr. Big Shot/ LEE DORSEY: Organ Grinder Swing/ You're Breaking Me Up/ THE DYNETTES: New Guy/ Witness To A Heartbreak/ BILLY "THE KID" EMERSON (PART 1): Aunt Molly/ BILLY "THE KID" EMERSON (PART 2): Aunt Molly/ MILL EVANS: I've Got To Have Your Love/ Things Won't Be The Same/ FRANKIE FORD: Ocean Full Of Tears/ THE FREEDOMS: Ten Steps To Love/ You Lied/ WILBERT HARRISON: Mama Mama Mama/ New York Worlds Fair/ SONNY HOLIDAY: School Days/ SANDRA LYNN: Sometime/ BOBBY MILLER: Whoa (She's All Mine)/ THE MYSTICS: Just A Loser/ The's Got Everything/ ROLLS ROYCE & THE WHEELS: The Frog/ THE SHEPPARDS: Give A Hug To Me/ Island Of Love/ CAROL VEGA: I Need You Around

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Collectables 6770 "Doo Wop Acapella" Starlight Sessions ● CD $11.98 $7.98
14 sides - presumably from the 1980s and 90s by The Tokens, Lewis Lymon & The Teenchords, The Allures, Charles Moffitt's Velours, The Originals, Richard Blandon & The Dubs, etc.
 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Coral (Spain) 1001 Coral Vocal Groups, Vol. 1 (25 tracks) ● CD $17.98 $11.98
25 tracks, 65 mins, recommended
Excellent and diverse collection of vocal groups who recorded for Coral between 1955 and 1966. Mostly ballads along with a few up tempo jumpers. Among the highlights are the sultry Smoke From Your Cigarette by Billy Williams Quartet, the bluesy up tempo There Goes (A Pretty Girl) from The Enchanters, My Darling My Sweet by the Bay Bops, the beautiful Don't Ask Me to Be Lonely by Andy Rose & The Exotics, the rocking and very weird Guadeamus by the Escorts (are they singing in Latin?), and Just a Shoulder to Cry On by the Demensions. Sound is generally excellent. (FS)
THE BAY BOPS: My Darling, My Sweet/ To The Party/ THE CRESTS: You Blew Out The Candles/ THE DEMENSIONS: Just One More Chance (stereo)/ My Foolish Heart (stereo)/ Young At Heart (stereo)/ DENNIS & EXPLORERS: Remember/ THE ENCHANTERS: There Goes (a Pretty Girl)short Version/ True Love Gone/ THE ESCORTS: Gloria - Escorts/ Guadeamus/ Just A Sholder To Cry On/ Seven Wonders Of The World/ THE EXOTICS: Darling I Want To Get Married/ That's My Desire/ THE EXPLORERS: In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning/ Vision Of Love/ THE FOUR DIRECTIONS: Tonight We Love/ THE FOUR KNIGHTS: Foolish Tears/ THE GOLDBUGS: Stop The Wedding/ THE ILLUSIONS: The Letter/ LEROY & DRIVERS: L-o-v-e/ ANDY ROSE & EXOTICS: Crazy For You/ Don't Ask Me To Be Lonely/ BILLY WILLIAMS QUARTET: Smoke From Your Cigarette

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Digimode 47401 Doo Wop, Vol. 1 ● CD $9.98 $5.98
18 great doo-wop songs from the 50s - The Chords, Dells, Five Royales, Flamingos, Hi-Lighters, Kool Gents, Marcels, Moonglows, Scarlets, etc.

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS El Viente 801 Rock And Roll Party, Vol. 1 ● CD $17.98 $9.98
27 tracks, 72 min., highly recommended
Available again. A hot collection of mostly sax-led, mostly uptempo, rockin' R&B numbers from the late 40s and 50s drawn from the Savoy catalog. Around 2/3 of the tracks are instrumentals including sides by Big Jay McNeely, The Hot Shots, Paul Williams, T.J. Fowler, The Chuz Alfred Combo, Bobby Banks, The Rockin' Brothers Orch. and others. Among the vocalists featured are Nappy Brown, Little ESther, Earl King, Big Joe Turner and others. Great stuff with excellent sound. (FS)

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Empire Musicwerks 450 744-2 Chitlin Blues ● CD $13.98 $9.98
Now deleted - limited stock. 15 track collection of contemporary soul-blues - Little Beaver, Candy Yam (aka Sax Kari), Ike & Val Woods, Snoopy Dean, Roach Thompson and Eddie Holloway.
 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Excello 3013 Excello Vocal Groups ● CD $14.98 $10.98
31 tracks, 77 min., highly recommended
A particularly nice compilation of recordings made in the late 50's for this Nashville, Tennessee label, and one which, unlike most earlier Excello collections, focuses strictly on the group sound. Some of the numbers are expected and often reissued, such as Little Darlin' by the Gladiolas, Rolling Stone by the Marigolds, and Oh Julie by the Crescendos. But most are much less commonly available, including the previously unreleased Don't Say Tomorrow by the Marigolds; the a cappella School Daze, the previously unreleased Pretty Little Girl, and Now That She's Gone by the delightful King Krooners; The Magic of You by the Themes; and I'm So Glad by the Meloaires. There are some real gems here. And the production values are high, with several vintage photos and solid notes by Cub Koda of Goldmine Magazine. (DH)
THE CRESCENDOS: Lucky Love/ My Little Girl/ Oh Julie/ THE GLADIOLAS: Be Bop Girl/ Hey Little Girl/ Little Darlin'/ Run Run Little Joe/ Say You'll Be Mine/ Shoop Shoop/ Sweetheart Please Don't Go/ THE KING KROONERS: Memoirs/ Now That She's Gone/ Playboy Lover/ Pretty Little Girl/ School Daze/ Steps Of Love/ There's Been A Change/ Won't You Let Me Know/ THE MARIGOLDS: Don't Say Tomorow/ Juke Box Rock & Roll/ Love You-love You-love You/ Rolling Stone/ Two Strangers/ Why Don't You/ THE MELOAIRES: Don't Ever Get Married/ I'm So Glad/ Indebted To You/ You Know Baby/ THE RHYTHM CASTERS: Oh My Darling/ THE THEMES: The Magic Of You/ Yes, That's Love

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Fabulous 1255 More Christmas R&B (18 tracks) ● CD $8.98 $5.98
18 tracks, 47 mins, highly recommended
Here we have a great collection of mostly, obscure Rhythm & Blues Christmas tunes. Starting off with just about the hippest possible version of Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer elegantly sung by the Cadillacs. From there it is pretty much equally split between the whimsical like Hello Santa Claus by Cecil Gant, Jingle Jangle by the Penguins and Big John Greer with We Want To See Santa Do The Mambo. Then there are the more heartfelt and romantic cuts like Johnny Moore's Blazers' Christmas Eve Baby, Silent Night by The Ravens, I'll Be Home For Christmas by The Pilgrim Travelers, and I Want My Baby For Christmas by Jimmy Liggins. Also stand out appearances by Amos Milburn, Roy Milton, Lowell Folsom, Lighting Hopkins, and The Coolbreezers, to name a few. Sound quality is a little rough on a couple of the rarer tracks, but overall it is very good. No notes to speak of, which is disappointing, but that probably helps lower the price to make it an easy stocking stuffer. (JM)
CHARLES BROWN: Merry Christmas Baby/ THE CADILLACS: Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer/ THE COOLBREEZERS: Hello Mr New Year/ THE FALCONS: Can This Be Christmas/ LOWELL FULSON: Best Wishes/ CECIL GANT: Hello Santa Claus/ BIG JOHN GREER: We Wanna See Santa Do The Mambo/ THE HEARTBEATS: After New Year's Eve/ LIGHTNIN' HOPKINS: Merry Christmas/ JIMMY LIGGINS: I Want My Baby For Christmas/ AMOS MILBURN: Let's Make Christmas Merry, Baby/ ROY MILTON: Christmas Time Blues/ JOHNNY MOORE'S BLAZERS: Christmas Eve Baby/ Christmas Letter/ THE PENGUINS: Jingle Jangle/ THE PILGRIM TRAVELERS: I'll Be Home For Christmas/ THE RAVENS: Silent Night/ JESSE THOMAS: Christmas Celebration

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Fire 100 Here Are The Hits (24 tracks from Fire, Fury, etc) ● CD $17.98 $12.98
24 doo-wop sides from various Bobby Robinson labels
THE CHANNELS: Bye Bye Baby/ My Love Will Never Die/ The Closer You Are/ What Do You Do/ THE CHARTS: Dance Girl/ Desiree/ Zoop/ THE DU MAURRIERS: All Night Long/ THE KODAKS: Little Boy And Girl/ Oh Gee, Oh Gosh/ THE RAINBOWS: Evening/ Mary Lee/ THE SCARLETS: Cry Baby/ Dear One/ I/ I've Lost/ THE STARLITES: I Found Out Too Late/ Valarie/ THE TEENCHORDS: Honey, Honey/ I'm So Happy/ Lydia/ THE VELVETS: I Cried/ THE VOCALEERS: Is It A Dream

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Fuel 2000 61145 Deep Soul, Vol. 1 : From Chicago To Shreveport ● CD $15.98 $9.98
22 tracks, highly recommended
Superb collection of deep soul from the 60s and 70s featuring Southern soul from the Jewel, Ronn, Whit and Paula labels and Chicago soul from the USA and Crash label. A mix of familiar and lesser known artists - Toussaint McCall (his classic Nothing Takes The Place Of You), Little Johnny Taylor (two tracks including the searing How Can A Broke Man Survive), Tommie Young, Jimmy Dobbins, Ted Taylor (two tracks including a sublime cover of Cover Me), McKinley Sandifer, The Wallace Brothers, The Objectives, Bobby Patterson, Fontella Bass, Clay Hammond and others. Compiled and annotated by the knowledgeable Bill Dahl. (FS)

 

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