"...Lovey Dovey All The Time..."
THE CLOVERS rare self-titled debut LP from 1956
on Atlantic Records (re-issued in 1957) is a bit of a R 'n' B and Vocal group
barnstormer. And although it didn't contain the immortal
drinking-creates-babies song "One Mint Julep" – its cracking 14
tracks represented a sort of 'Best Of' in all but name (US singles that sold
huge numbers between 1950 and 1956 on the American R&B charts).
First though a little bit about the CD Series
this reissue is presented on - using the generic title 'Atlantic 1000 Best
R&B Collection' - these 'limited release' titles out of Warner Brothers
Japan were released steadily between October 2012 and February 2014. In the end
the tally reached an amazing 250+ different rare releases across the huge WEA
catalogue covering Atlantic, Atco, Stax, Curtom and so on (mostly 50ts R&B
and Blues with 60ts and 70ts Soul and Funk - see my online blog for a full list
and catalogue numbers). Some (you may have noticed) have even been re-pressed
in Europe and sold with the Japanese Obi strips behind the shrinkwrap at less
than a fiver (using the same Barcodes and Masters).
For the Japanese-Pressed issues the '1000' in
the title refers to their price code. Each features a budget price tag of 952
Yen that depending on exchange rates is roughly $9 to $11 for US customers,
£5.50 to £7.50 for UK buyers and 8 to 9.20 Euros for Europeans (with P&P
added on of course). Roughly speaking they weigh in at about £10 sterling per
title INCLUDING post - which is the cheapest I've seen quality Japanese-pressed
CDs ever go for.
And what's really enticing is that all issues
feature 2012 and 2013 Digital Remastering (DSD) with many titles reissued that
were long out of print (and due sonic upgrades) – or new to CD entirely. They
come in standard jewel cases (NOT mini repro sleeves – nor SHMs) with an inner
booklet containing the lyrics and description etc and an outer Obi strip. The
CD label design will usually mimic the original release too – in this case the
black 'Atlantic' Records logo with its 'Long Playing Unbreakable' promise
beneath.
This 7 November 2012 Japan-only reissue of
"The Clovers" by THE CLOVERS on Atlantic/Rhino/Warner Music
WPCR-27567 (Barcode 4943674126668) is a straightforward CD transfer of the rare
American LP (37:45 minutes). The 12-page booklet features Japanese-language
liner notes - lyrics in English and a very clear repro of the LP's rear sleeve
liner notes by Jack Walker. The Obi has 'Digital Remastering' on it – other
than that It doesn't say who or what. Having said that - the Audio is fantastic
- there's a great depth of sound off these Japanese issues - although I'd say
in a heartbeat that the 9 tracks across Bear Family's fabulous "Street
Corner Symphonies" CD Series (stretching from 1950 to 1959) sound better -
especially in the notorious "Don't You Know I Love You" track that
seems to have distortion on every version. The Bear issue is the cleanest I've
ever heard it - although the rest are excellent - that track here is decidedly sub-par.
Side 1:
1. Love, Love, Love (May 1956 USA 7"
single on Atlantic 45-1094, A)
2. Lovey Dovey (March 1954 USA 7" single
on Atlantic 45-1022, A)
3. Yes, It's You (March 1953 USA 7" single
on Atlantic 45-989, B-side of "Crawlin'")
4. Ting-A-Ling (July 1952 USA 7" single on
Atlantic 45-969, A)
5. I Played The Fool (October 1952 USA 7"
single 45-977, A)
6. Hey Miss Fanny (October 1952 USA 7"
single 45-977, B-side of "I Played The Fool")
7. Don't You Know I Love You (March 1951 USA
7" single 45-934, A - their 1st Atlantic 45)
Side 2:
8. Middle Of The Night (March 1952 USA 7"
single on Atlantic 45-963, B-side of "One Mint Julep")
9. Blue Velvet (April 1955 USA 7" single
on Atlantic 45-1052, A)
10. Little Mama (March 1954 USA 7" single
on Atlantic 45-1022, A)
11. Crawlin' (March 1953 USA 7" single on
Atlantic 45-989, A)
12. Here Goes A Fool (June 1953 USA 7"
single on Atlantic 45-1000, B-side of "Good Lovin'")
13. I Got My Eyes On You (July 1954 USA 7"
single on Atlantic 45-1035, A)
14. Devil Or Angel (January 1956 USA 7"
single on Atlantic 45-1083, A)
Tracks 1 to 14 are their debut LP "The
Clovers" (aka "Rock & Roll") - released 1956 in the USA on
Atlantic 1248, re-issued in 1957 on Atlantic 8009 (both in Mono). The 1957 reissue Artwork and Label are used for this Japanese CD.
As you can see from the list above - every
track was a single - what the 14 entries don't tell you is the amazing track
record they had on the R 'n' B charts. Between the years this LP covers (1950
and 1956) - they clocked up three No. 1's - "Don't You Know I Love
You", "Fool, Fool, Fool" and "Ting-A-Ling" - four No.
3's - "Middle Of The Night", "I Played The Fool",
"Crawlin'" and "Devil Or Angel" with the remainder Top 5 or
Top 10 at worst. Along with Joe Turner, Ruth Brown and LaVern Baker - THE
CLOVERS were a huge star attraction for Atlantic Records - and that's what
makes this LP so damn good - it's chock full of hits and their equally cool
flip-sides.
You could argue I suppose that you just get
"The Platinum Collection" 22-track CD for less than five quid
(remastered also - see separate review) - but I'd argue there's something about
these Japanese issues that both sounds and looks the part.
And that's all the
Rock 'n' Roll enticement I need...
