"Atlantic Vocal Groups {1951-1963}" by VARIOUS ARTISTS (June 2008 US Rhino Handmade 4CD 82-Track LP-Sized Box Set – Limited Numbered Edition of 3000 Copies - Billy Vera Compiled Selections – Bill Inglot and Dan Hersch Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"…Since I Fell For You…"

A sister box to "Atlantic Blues {1949-1970}" released Stateside in September 2007 - "Atlantic Vocal Groups {1951-1963}" by VARIOUS ARTISTS followed in June 2008 on Rhino Handmade RHM2 7738 (Barcode 603497773824). The third themed set was "Atlantic Soul {1959-1975}" – see list provided below.

It's pretty to look at for sure - all three themed sets are. You get 4CDs and 82-Tracks in 4 x 5" picture card sleeves housed in die-cut lipped hollows inside a 12" x 12" Silk Screen Printed Box Set. The 32-page LP-Sized booklet inside is numbered to 3000 (on the last page) and it all breaks down as follows:

Disc 1, "Jumpin' & Bluesy", THE CLOVERS pictured, 21 tracks, 55:31 minutes:

1. Hey Miss Fannie - THE CLOVERS (1952, Atlantic 977, B-side of "I Played The Fool")

2. One Mint Julep - THE CLOVERS (1951, Atlantic 963, A)

3. Yes It's You - THE CLOVERS (1952, Atlantic 989, B-side of "Crawlin'")

4. Bip Bam - CLYDE McPHATTER and THE DRIFTERS (1953, Atlantic 1043, A)

5. I Confess - THE CLOVERS (1953, Atlantic 1045, A)

6. Don't Dog Me - THE DRIFTERS (1953, Atlantic 2049, A)

7. The Feeling is So Good - THE CLOVERS (1953. Atlantic 1046, A)

8. Ooh I - CARMEN TAYLOR & THE BOLEROS 1954. Atlantic 1041, A)

9. Whatcha Gonna Do  - CLYDE McPHATTER & THE DRIFTERS (1954, Atlantic 1055, A)

10. Sh-Boom - THE CHORDS (1954, Cat 104, A)

11. Cross Over The Bridge - THE CHORDS (1954, Cat 104, B)

12. Your Cash Ain't Nothin' But Trash - THE CLOVERS (1954, Atlantic 1035, A)

13. Tell Me (Are You Really Mine) - THE PLAYBOYS (1954, Cat 108, A)

14. Zippity Zum (I'm In Love) - THE CHORDS (1954, Cat 109, A)

15. Got The Water Boiling - THE REGALS (1955, Atlantic 1062, A)

16. Good Golly Miss Molly - THE PLAYBOYS (1954, Cat 115, A)

17. Walk That Walk - THE SHEIKS (9154, Cat 116, A)

18. Could It Be - THE SH-BOOMS (1954, Cat 117, A)

19. You Tickle Me Baby - THE ROYAL JOKERS (1955, Atlantic 6052, A)

20. Nip Sip - THE CLOVERS (1955, Atlantic 1073, A)

21. Come Back My Love - THE CARDINALS (1955, Atlantic 1067, A)

Disc 2, "Slow & Dreamy", THE CARDINALS pictured, 20 tracks, 57:16 minutes:

1. Skylark - THE CLOVERS (1951, Atlantic 934, B-side of "Don't You Know I Love You")

2. Needless - THE CLOVERS (1951, Atlantic 944, B-side of "Fool, Fool, Fool")

3. I'll Always Love You - THE CARDINALS (1951, Atlantic 952, A)

4. I Played The Fool - THE CLOVERS (1952, Atlantic 977, A)

5. Under A Blanket Of Blue - THE CARDINALS (1954, Atlantic 1025, B-side of "Please Baby")

6. A Beggar For Your Kisses - THE DIAMONDS  (1952, Atlantic 981, A)

7. The Way I Feel - CLYDE McPHATTER and THE DRIFTERS (1953, Atlantic 1006, A)

8. You Are My Only Love - THE CARDINALS (1953, Atlantic 995, B-side of "Lovie Darlin'")

9. Two Loves Have I - THE DIAMONDS (1952, Atlantic 1003, B-side of "I'll Live Again")

10. Here Goes A Fool - THE CLOVERS (1953, Atlantic 1000, B-side of "Good Lovin'")

11. Bless You (For Being An Angel) - THE CHORDS (1954, Cat 109, A)

12. Cherry - THE DIAMONDS  (1953, Atlantic 1017, B-side of "Romance In The Dark")

13. The Bells Of St. Mary's - THE DRIFTERS featuring Clyde McPhatter (1954, Atlantic 1048, B-side of "White Christmas")

14. Blue Velvet - THE CLOVERS (1954, Atlantic 1052, A)

15. A Girl To Love - THE CHORDETTES (1955, Cat 112, A)

16. The Door Is Still Open - THE CARDINALS (1955, Atlantic 1054, A)

17. Adorable - THE DRIFTERS (1955, Atlantic 1078, A)

18. Sympathy - THE SENSATIONS featuring TOMMY WICKS (1955, Atco 6056, B-side of "Yes Sir, That's My Baby")

19. Devil Or Angel - THE CLOVERS (1955, Atlantic 1083, A)

20. Your Promise To Be Mine - THE DRIFTERS 1955, Atlantic 1089, B-side of "Ruby Baby")

Disc 3 "The Rock 'n' Roll Era", THE DRIFTERS pictured, 20 tracks, 49:30 minutes:

1. Ruby Baby - THE DRIFTERS (1955, Atlantic 1089, A)

2. Please Mr. Disc Jockey - THE SENSATIONS featuring YVONNE MILLS (1956, Atlantic 6067, A)

3. Shadows Of Love - THE PEARLS (1955, Atco 6057, A)

4. Brazil - THE COASTERS (1956, Atco 6073, B-side of "One Kiss Lead To Another")

5. Drifting Away From You - THE DRIFTERS (1957, Atlantic 1141, B-side of "Hypnotized")

6. Mr. Lee - THE BOBETTES (1956, Atlantic 1144, A)

7. Bells Of Love - THE PEARLS (1955, Atco 6066, A)

8. Hey Baby Baby - THE CASTELLES (1956, Atlantic 6069, B-side of "Happy And Gay")

9. Cry Baby Cry - THE SENSATIONS featuring YVONNE MILLS (1956, Atlantic 6075, A)

10. Finders Keepers - THJE CRESENDOS (1956, Atlantic 1109, B-side of "Sweet Dreams")

11. Fools Fall In Love - THE DRIFTERS (1956, Atlantic 1123, A)

12. My Only Desire - THE FLYERS (1956, Atco 6088, B-side of "On Bended Knee")

13. Lone Lonely Nights - CLYDE McPHATTER (1957, Atlantic 1149, A)

14. It's Good To Me (You Don't Know And I Don't Know) - THE OSPREYS with Reggie Obrecht Orchestra (1957, East West 110, A)

15. Pledge Of Love - THE PENGUINS (1957, Atlantic 1132, A)

16.  The Girl I Love - THE GLOWTONES (1957, East West 101, A and Atlantic 1156, A)

17. Drip Drop - THE DRIFTERS (1958, Atlantic 1187, A)

18. Can't You Understand - THE KING BEES/LLOYD PRICE ORCHESTRA (1957, KRC 302, A)

19. Down In The Alley - THE CLOVERS (1957, Atlantic 1152, A)

20. I Know - THE DRIFTERS (1957, Atlantic 1161, A)

Disc 4, "Group Revival", THE ROMEOS pictured, 21 tracks, 51:18 minutes:

1. I Shot Mr. Lee - THE BOBETTES (1959, Atlantic 2069, A)

2. Lady Love - THE DEL-LARKS (1958, East West 116, A)

3. Dance! - THE COASTERS (1958, Atco 6111, A)

4. Remember The Night - THE DEL-LARKS (B-side of 2)

5. Nosey Neighbors - THE VIBRA-HARPS (1958, Atlantic 6134, A)

6. I'll Be Seeing You - THE CRESCENDOS (1956, Atlantic 2014, A)

7. Lost Love - THE SUPERIORS (1957, Atco 6106, A)

8. Romance In The Dark - THE SENSATIONS featuring YVONNE MILLS (1957, Atco 6115, A)

9. Moments To Remember You By - THE ROMEOS (1957, Atco 6107, A)

10. Zing Went The Strings Of My Heart - THE COASTERS (1958, Atco 6116, A)

11. Bila - THE VERSATONES (1963, Atlantic 2211, A)

12. Since I Fell For You - THE SKYLINERS (1963, Atlantic 6270, A)

13. Blue Moon - THE SH-BOOMS 1960,Atlantic 2074, A)

14. Dear One - BILLY STORM (1961, Atlantic 2098, A)

15. Short Skirts - THE SH-BOOMS (B-side of 13)

16. Tight Skirt And Sweater - THE VERSATONES (1963, Atlantic 2211, A)

17. When You Dance - BILLY STORM (B-side of 14, Both Sides Supervised by PHIL SPECTOR)

18. Twist And Shout - THE TOP NOTES (1961, Atlantic 2115, A)

19. Hearts Of Stone - THE TOP NOTES (1961, Atlantic 2097, A)

20. Pretty Pretty Girl (The New Beat) - THE TIME TONES (1961, Atco 6201, A)

21. A Kiss From Your Lips - BILLY STORM (1961, Atlantic 2112, B-side of "Honey Love", Supervised by PHIL SPECTOR)

CONTENT and PRESENTATION:

Taking a look at the paltry playing times provided above - the first disappointment is the scrimping of song inclusions. Less than fifty minutes on Disc 3 for God's sake. A box like this should have had at least 25 sides a disc and more. Three sides of the ultra-rare DIAMONDS trio of 45s are featured when there was plenty of room for their 3 flips. And while the booklet is genuinely lovely to look at - it's short at 32 pages. There's other annoying discrepancies - none of the individual entries tell you whether the song is an A or B (I've put in the info myself) - singles are credited as THE DRIFTERS featuring Clyde McPhatter when it's the other way around (even though they've actually pictured the offending entry) - THE CARDINALS "Under A Blanket Of Blue" is credited as 1951 when its 1954. The BILLY VERA liner notes are typically informative and entertaining - but there's precious little of them. For a box set aimed firmly at die-hard collectors - some of it seems a tad sloppy and even lazy for a company with such a quality reputation. But at least all that's rectified by the actually play of each CD...

SOUND:

Long-standing tape engineers BILL INGLOT and DAN HERSCH have done a wonderful job with the remastering despite the age of these recordings. Another cool side to this set is hearing tracks that have remained in obscurity for decades - even if they're dubbed from discs or worn tapes (which only a tiny minority are). "Yes It's You" is the first track to show slight distortion but it's a fabulous B-side and worthy of inclusion as is "Cross Over The Bridge" by THE CHORDS on Cat Records. Other rarities include THE DIAMONDS "A Beggar For Your Kisses" (listed at over $1,500) and THE CLOVERS B-side "Skylark" (listed at a paltry $1,000). Another nugget is "Could It Be" by THE SH-BOOMS sounding like seaside Vocal R'n'B with its organ and boppin' beat. "You Tickle Me Baby" by THE ROYAL JOKERS is the most fun with one of the group giggling hysterically throughout.  

The audio quality on THE CARDINALS jaunty "Come Back My Love" is fabulous - what a gem (in the vein of The Clovers and McPhatter's Drifters). Disc 2 pours on the pleading and smoochers ("You Are My Only Love") while Disc 3 boogies it with cool dancers like "Fools Fall In Love" and "Drip Drop". Disc 4 gives a lesser beaten-track - the Vocal Group revivals in the Sixties - even throwing in some rare Phil Spector tie-ins (see Billy Storm). Great stuff and makes me wish there was a Volume 2. 

Despite its shortcomings (playing time especially) - this is a gorgeous Box Set to behold and listen to. And because it's the magical Atlantic label - I had to own it. I suggest you do too...

RHINO Handmade Series of Themed Atlantic Records Box Sets

Numbered Limited Editions of 3000 Copies

Compiled by BILLY VERA – DAN HERSCH and BILL INGLOT Remasters

All Reviewed...

1. "Atlantic Blues {1949-1970}" - September 2007 USA on Rhino Handmade RHM2 7737 (Barcode 603497773725) - it contains 4CDs/80-Tracks in 5" picture card sleeves housed in die-cut hollows in a 12" x 12" Silk Screen Printed Box Set. Inside is a 36-page full-sized booklet, numbered to 3000 on the last page.

2. "Atlantic Soul {1959-1975}" – October 2007 USA on Rhino Handmade RHM2 7739 (Barcode 603497773923) – it contains 4CDs/82-Tracks in 5" picture card sleeves housed in die-cut hollows in a 12" x 12" Silk Screen Printed Box Set. Inside is a 36-page full-sized booklet, numbered to 3000 on the last page.

3. "Atlantic Vocal Groups {1951-1963}" - June 2008 USA on Rhino Handmade RHM2 7738 (Barcode 603497773824) – it contains 4CDs/82-Tracks in 5" picture card sleeves are housed in hollows inside a 12" x 12" Silk Screen Printed Box Set. Inside is a 32-page full-sized booklet, numbered to 3000 on the last page.