"MANNISH BOY" - Blues, Vocal Groups, Rhythm 'n' Blues and Rock 'n' Roll - A New SOUNDS GOOD Download e-Book For 2021 by Hall of Fame Amazon Reviewer Mark Barry...

"...Hoochie Coochie..." 

SOUNDS GOOD MUSIC BOOK - E-Book on all Amazon sites

205 Independent Reviews - Wide Range of Releases

"MANNISH BOY" 

BLUES, VOCAL GROUPS, DOO WOP, ROOTS

RHYTHM 'n' BLUES and ROCK 'n' ROLL ON CD 

Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters 

Thousands of E-Pages

All Details and In-Depth Reviews From Discs 

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

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With the 50-year copyright law allowing truckloads of budget compilations to flood the market (especially when it comes to Oldies from the Forties, Fifties and early Sixties) – it’s hard to know what’s audio chaff and what’s aural crème-del-la crème. 

Having worked for over 20 years in one of the best second-hand record shops in the West End as a principal buyer (Reckless Records)  - I've collated together hundreds of detailed reviews on what I feel are exceptional CD remasters – albums and compilations you probably don't own but should. 

BOOK 5 in the SOUNDS GOOD Music Books Series covering Blues, Vocal Groups, Rhythm & Blues and Rock & Roll on CD features 205 in-depth reviews on Exceptional Remasters that runs to over 1,600 E-pages.  

Each entry focuses on decent remasters with indepth info that helps a purchase decision. You get catalogue numbers, barcodes to identify correct issues, track lists including info on original issues like album and 7” single catalogue numbers, total playing times, packaging and liner notes descriptions, what important guests played on what, cover versions highlighted, remaster engineers named and a lot of info on the original album. 

I provide a Discography for Box Sets and these lists also include Imports, some Audiophile Titles and Japanese SHM-CDs too where relevant or exclusive. Enjoy...

MARK BARRY (July 2021)

“Dream Of A Lifetime 1953-1959” by THE FLAMINGOS. A Review Of The 2010 Jasmine Label 2CD Compilation.

"…My Love Must Be A Kind Of Blind Love…I Can’t See Anyone But You…"

Offering up a generous 50-tracks, this 2CD set covers a large part of the 45" single output for the American Doo Wop/Vocal group The Flamingos on the Chance, Parrot, Checker and End labels between 1953 and 1959.

Released in the UK/Europe in March 2010, here's a breakdown of Jasmine JASCD 554...

Disc: 1
1. SOME DAY SOMEWAY
2. IF I CAN'T HAVE YOU
3. HURRY HOME BABY
4. THAT'S MY DESIRE
5. GOLDEN TEARDROPS
6. CARRIED A WAY
7. PLAN FOR LOVE
8. YOU AIN'T READY
9. CROSS OVER THE BRIDGE
10. LISTEN TO MY PLEA
11. BLUES IN A LETTER
12. JUMP CHILDREN
13. SEPTEMBER SONG
14. DREAM OF A LIFETIME
15. ON MY MERRY WAY
16. GET WITH IT
17. I REALLY DON'T WANT TO KNOW
18. I'M YOURS
19. KO KO MO
20. IF I COULD LOVE YOU
21. I FOUND A NEW BABY
22. THAT'S MY BABY (CHICK A BOOM)
23. WHEN
24. I WANT TO LOVE YOU
25. PLEASE COME BACK HOME

Disc: 2
1. NEED YOUR LOVE
2. I'LL BE HOME
3. A KISS FROM YOUR LIPS
4. GET WITH IT
5. SHILLY DILLY
6. THE VOW
7. JUST FOR A KICK
8. WOULD I BE CRYING (IF I WERE LYING TO YOU)
9. DREAM OF A LIFETIME
10. WHISPERING STARS
11. I'LL BE HOME
12. CHICKIE UM BAH
13. CRY
14. STOLEN LOVE
15. NOBODY'S LOVE
16. WHEN
17. THE LADDER OF LOVE
18. LOVERS NEVER SAY GOODBYE
19. THAT LOVE IS YOU
20. BUT NOT FOR ME
21. I SHED A TEAR AT YOUR WEDDING
22. LOVE WALKED IN
23. AT THE PROM
24. GOODNIGHT SWEETHEART
25. I ONLY HAVE EYES FOR YOU

Disc 1 (70:19 minutes):
1 and 2 are Chance 1133 (March 1953)
3 and 4 are Chance 1140 (June 1953)
5 and 6 are Chance 1145 (September 1953)
7 and 8 are Chance 1149 (October 1953)
9 and 10 are Chance 1154 (March 1954)
11 and 12 are Chance 1162 (October 1954)
13 is on “The Moonglows Meet The Flamingos On The Dusty Road To Hits”, 1962 USA LP on Vee Jay LP-1052
14 and 15 are Parrot 808 (August 1954)
16 and 17 are Parrot 811 (December 1954)
18 and 19 are Parrot 812 (January 1955)
20 and 21 are on “The Flamingos”, 1976 USA LP on Chess ACRR-702
22 and 23 are Checker 815 (April 1955)
24 and 25 are Checker 821 (July 1955)

Disc 2 (69:06 minutes):
1 and 2 are Checker 830 (January 1956)
3 and 4 are Checker 837 (April 1956)
5 and 6 are Checker 846 (August 1956)
7 and 8 are Checker 853 (November 1956)
9 and 10 are Checker 915 ((January 1959)
11 is PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
12 is from “The Flamingos”, 1959 USA LP on End Records LP-1433
13 is PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED (recorded 28 March 1956)
14 and 15 are from “Chess Rock & Rhythm Series – The Flamingos”, 1984 USA LP on Chess CH-9177
16 is a PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED Alternate Take of “When”
17 is the A-side of Decca 30335 (May 1957)
18 and 19 are End 1035 (October 1958)
20 and 21 are End 1040 (February 1959)
22 and 23 are End 1044 (March 1959)
24 and 25 are End 1046 (April 1959)
[Notes: 20, 22, 24 and 25 are in STEREO]

The compilation and annotation have been put together by BOB FISHER (small liner notes in the fold-out inlay) with the CD Mastering done by TALL ORDER of the UK. Of their 40 or so 7” singles, this budget-priced set offers you up nearly 75% of them in rough sequential order.

Hailing from Chicago, The Flamingos have long been considered by collectors as ‘the’ class act of Doo Wop and Harmony Vocals. Their slow atmosphere-drenched ballads practically defined dancefloor smooching in the Fifties. And they had a dizzying array of great Lead vocalists throughout – Sollie McElroy, Johnny Carter, Tommy Hunt, Paul Wilson and Nate Wilson.

Their cherished End label albums have been on CD in the States for years, but this rather nicely lined-up 2CD set concentrates on what you heard on the Radio during the period – their superb singles.
And given the vintage, the sound varies from very good (the early Chance label stuff) to superb (the Nate Nelson lead vocals of “I Only Have Eyes For You” in glorious Stereo – lyrics above).

So - lots of tracks, very good sound and at six quid for a 2CD set - it's cheap too. Until Bear Family does a more comprehensive box set one day covering their entire output - this is a rather lovely release to be getting on with.

Recommended.

PS: Jasmine have also done a May 2010 2CD set for "The Five Keys" – see separate review

“Rocking & Crying – The Complete Singles 1951 – 1954 Plus” by THE FIVE KEYS. A Review Of The 2CD Jasmine Compilation (2010).

"…Got The Most Coast To Coast…She The Most…"

Offering up a huge 58-tracks - this 2CD set covers the 78" and 45" output for the American vocal group THE FIVE KEYS on the Aladdin, Groove and Capitol labels between 1951 and 1954 (not all of it as the title suggest, but close enough).

UK released May 2010 - "Rocking & Crying - The Complete Singles 1951-1954 Plus" by THE FIVE KEYS on Jasmine JASCD 555 (Barcode 604988055528) is a 2CD reissue that plays out as follows…

Disc: 1
1. With A Broken Heart
2. Too Late
3. Hucklebuck With Jimmy
4. Glory Of Love, The
5. It's Christmas Time
6. Do I Need You
7. Old Macdonald (Had A Farm)
8. Yes Sir That's My Baby
9. Goin' Downtown
10. Darlin'
11. Red Sails In The Sunset
12. Be Anything But Be Mine
13. How Long
14. Mistakes
15. Hold Me
16. I Hadn't Anyone 'Til You
17. I Cried For You
18. Serve Another Round
19. Can't Keep From Crying
20. Come Go My Bail Louise
21. There Ought To Be A Law
22. Mama (Your Daughter Told A Lie On Me)
23. I'll Always Be In Love With You
24. Rocking And Crying Blues
25. These Foolish Things (Remind Me Of You)
26. Lonesome Old Story
27. Teardrops In Your Eyes
28. I'm So High

Disc: 2
1. My Saddest Hour
2. Oh Babe
3. Someday Sweetheart
4. Love My Loving
5. Deep In My Heart
6. How Do You Expect Me To Get It
7. Why Oh Why
8. My Love
9. Story Of Love
10. When Will My Troubles End
11. I'll Follow You
12. Lawdy Miss Mary
13. Ling Ting Tong
14. Close Your Eyes
15. Verdict, The
16. I Wish I'd Never Learned To Read
17. She's The Most
18. I Dreamt I Dwelt In Harlem
19. My Pigeons Gone
20. Out Of Sight Out Of Mind
21. Wisdom Of A Fool
22. Let There Be You
23. It's A Cryin' Shame
24. Emily Please
25. Handy Andy
26. One Great Love
27. From The Bottom Of My Heart
28. Gypsy, The
29. Who Do You Know In Heaven (That Made You The Angel You Are)
30. To Each His Own

Disc 1 (78:33 minutes):
1 and 2 are Aladdin 3085 (April 1951)
3 and 4 are Aladdin 3099 (July 1951)
5 and 6 are Aladdin 3113 (December 1951)
7 and 8 are Aladdin 3118 (January 1952)
9 and 10 are Aladdin 3119 (Unissued)
11 and 12 are Aladdin 3127 (April 1952)
13 and 14 are Aladdin 3131 (May 1952)
15 and 16 are Aladdin 3136 (July 1952)
17 and 18 are Aladdin 3158 (October 1952)
19 and 20 are Aladdin 3167 (January 1953)
21 and 22 are Aladdin 3175 (March 1953)
23 and 24 are Aladdin 3182 (Unissued)
25 and 26 are Aladdin 3190 (May 1953)
27 and 28 are Aladdin 3204 (September 1953)

Disc 2 (77:33 minutes):
1 and 2 are Aladdin 3214 (December 1953)
3 and 4 are Aladdin 3228 (February 1954)
5 and 6 are Aladdin 3245 (May 1954)
7 and 8 are Aladdin 3263 (May 1955)
9 is the A-side of Aladdin 3312 (January 1956)
10 is an un-issued track on RCA/Groove Records recorded July 1954
11 and 12 are RCA/Groove 0031 (August 1954)
13 is Capitol 2945 [A] (October 1954)
14 is Capitol 3032 [A] (January 1955)
15 is Capitol 3127 [A] (May 1955)
16 is Capitol 3185 [A] (July 1955)
17 and 18 are Capitol 3392 (April 1956)
19 is Capitol 3455 [A] (June 1956)
20 is Capitol 3502 [A] (August 1956)
21 is Capitol 3597 [A] (November 1956)
22 is Capitol 3660 [A] (February 1957)
23 is Capitol 3830 [A] (November 1957)
24 and 25 are Capitol 4009 (July 1958)
26 is Capitol 4092 [A] (November 1958)
27 is Capitol 4828 [A] (August 1962) (see also below for 27)
27, 28, 29 and 30 are from the 1957 LP “The Five Keys On Stage” on Capitol T 828

The compilation and annotation have been put together by BOB FISHER (small liner notes in the fold-out inlay) with the CD Mastering done by TALL ORDER of the UK.

Hailing from Virginia, The Five Keys have long been considered by collectors as a class act and often compared to the big boys of Doo Wop and Rhythm ‘n’ Blues – The Flamingos, The Orioles and The Moonglows (with a little bit of the rocking Clovers thrown in for good measure). Their most famous lead vocalist was Rudy West and yet up until now, their material has only sporadically turned up on CD.

Given the vintage, the sound varies from good (the Aladdin Years) to superb (the later Capitol releases). Being a major label with decent equipment for the time, their Capitol sides were beautifully recorded - hence the excellent sound quality on Disc 2. Also, as you can see from the list above, the flip-sides to the Capitol releases are not here (despite the word “Complete” being in the title). However, if you want more of that period, some are on the excellent “Collector Series” CD put out by Capitol in 1989 – a disc I’ve treasured for two decades now.

The Aladdin material tended to be all pleading ballads, while the Capitol stuff rocked it up a bit (the years had moved on). Highlights for me include their fantastic Murray Berlin bopper “She’s The Most” (lyrics above) and the sheer smooth-as-silk class of “Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind” written by Ivory Joe Hunter and Clyde Otis (a beautiful vocal by Rudy West).

Lot of tracks, very good sound and it’s cheap too. Until Bear Family does a more comprehensive box set one day covering the later stuff and solo releases – this is a rather lovely release to be getting on with. Recommended.

PS: Jasmine have also done "The Flamingos" in a similar 2CD set (see separate review)

“Why” by THE CUES. A Review of the 2008 CD Reissue on Bear Family Records.

“…I'm A Prince When You're Near Me...All The World Is My Throne…”

The knowledgeable and detailed PETER GRENDYSA liner notes on this typically superb Bear Family CD are dated ‘July 1988’ – on a 2008 CD? Here’s what happened…

Back in 1988 Bear Family put out one of the first compilations dedicated to this superb Doo Wop and R’n’B Vocal group – the 16-track vinyl LP “Crazy, Crazy Party” on BFX 15309. It contained most of their Capitol Records output and four previously unreleased tracks - “Much Obliged”, “Killer Diller”, “Rock ‘n’ Roll Mr. Oriole” and “Be My Wife”.

This was then reissued as “Why” on an expanded CD in 1991 with 28 Tracks (a different cover also accompanied the different title). As well as featuring additional early sides on Lamp, Jubilee, Prep and Groove, it added a further five previously unreleased songs from Capitol’s vaults – 2 takes of “Yes Sir”, “Poppa Loves Momma”, “Ladder” and “Warm Spot”.

This 2008 version of “Why” (BCD 15510 AH) is the 1991 CD in exactly the same running order, but again with different artwork and now - new 2008 copyright dates on the digital remasters. The booklet is a sizeable 24-pages and includes detailed liners notes and a discography to 1960, while the CD label and inlay beneath the see-through tray picture “Burn That Candle” – their debut September 1955 single on Capitol Records F 3245 (later made a sizeable hit by Bill Haley & His Comets in November 1955 on Decca).

The Cues were formed by the legendary Producer & Writer JESSE STONE specifically as a backing-group of quality for recording labels of the time – the first time this had ever been done. They’re on Atlantic hits by LaVern Baker in 1954, they’re credited as Joe Turner’s “Blues Kings”, the “Rhythmmakers” for Ruth Brown and “The Ivorytones” for Ivory Joe Hunter.

The Cues had an array of stunning vocalists – OLLIE JONES [Lead Tenor], ABEL DeCOSTA [First Tenor], JIMMY BREEDLOVE [Second Tenor], ROBIE KIRK [Baritone] and EDWARD ‘EDDIE’ BARNES [Bass]. Breedlove later had a solo career with sides on RCA in 1958, but they were far rockier than his smooth vocal work with The Cues (his lone album “Sings Rock ‘n’ Roll Hits” was reissued on Bear Family BFX 15327 in 1989). One the highlights on this CD is Breedlove’s beautiful lead vocals on his ballad “Don’t Make Believe” – the flip of “Destination 2100 And 65”.

The sound quality is fabulous throughout, except for their October 1954 debut 45 on Lamp 8007 (“Forty ‘leven Dozen Ways” b/w “Scoochie Scoochie”) where both sides are dubbed from a scratchy and extremely rare disc. The other selling point is the really great quality of the unreleased tracks – Breedlove’s whistling on “Rock ‘n’ Roll Mr. Oriole” predating Bobby Darin’s “Rockin’ Robin” by a full two years. Another rarity is “So Near And Yet So Far” b/w “Hot Rotten Soda Pop (On My Toe)” which was issued in June 1955 on Groove 4/G-0110 (one of RCA’s subsidiary labels); it’s credited to THE FOUR STUDENTS, but it’s featured on this CD because 4 members of The Cues are on it.

My personal favourites on “Why” are the four sides of two great singles – the 1st on Capitol F 3582 from November 1956 - “Why” b/w “Prince Or Pauper” and the 2nd on Prep 104 from May 1957 - “Crazy, Crazy Party” b/w “I Pretend”. They’re both perfect slices of Fifties greatness – a cool dancer on the A with a beautiful Doo Wop balled on the B. Ollie Jones’ deep pleading vocal on “Prince Or Pauper” is simply irresistible – as lovely a song as you’ve ever heard (lyrics above).

So – for newcomers looking for a bit of Fifties Doo Wop and R’n’B magic - this is a sweetheart of a release and typical of Bear Family’s commitment to excellence – and for those who own the 1991 issue, there’s the new remasters.

Gorgeous stuff - and recommended the most.

- BELOW IS A DISCOGRAPHY WITH REGARD TO THIS RELEASE -

*** THE CUES *** A 45/LP Discography referencing “Why” the 28-track 1991/2008 Bear Family CD compilation:

1. “Forty ‘eleven Dozen Ways” b/w “Scoochie Scoochie” are the A&B of Lamp 8007 issued in October 1954 (tracks 25 and 26 on the CD)

2. “Only You” b/w “I Fell For Your Loving” are the A&B of Jubilee 5201 issued in May 1955 (tracks 21 and 22 on the CD)
Note: The A is NOT a cover version of the famous Platters song, which happened to be issued in that same month

3. “So Near And Yet So Far” b/w “Hot Rotten Soda Pop (On My Toe)” are the A&B of Groove 4/G-0110 issued in June 1955 (an RCA subsidiary label) – it’s credited as THE FOUR STUDENTS but is included on the CD because it contains Jones, DeCosta, Barnes and Kirk of THE CUES (tracks 24 and 23 on the CD)

4. “Burn That Candle” b/w “Oh My Darlin’” are the A&B of Capitol F 3245 (their debut for Capitol) issued in September 1955 (tracks 4 and 16 on the CD)

5. “Charlie Brown” b/w “You’re On My Mind” are the A&B of Capitol F 3310 issued in January 1956 (tracks 7 and 9 on the CD)
Note: The A is NOT a cover of the hit by The Coasters (1959 on Atlantic), but an Ollie Jones rocking original (in a similar vein to The Coasters famous hit)

6. “Destination 2100 And 65” b/w “Don’t Make Believe” are the A&B of Capitol F 3400 in April 1956 (tracks 11 and 20 on the CD)

7. “Crackerjack” b/w “The Girl I Love” are the A&B of Capitol F 3482 issued in July 1956 (tracks 3 and 15 on the CD)

8. “Why” b/w “Prince Or Pauper” are the A&B of Capitol F 3582 issued in November 1956 (tracks 2 and 12 on the CD)

9. “Crazy, Crazy Party” b/w “I Pretend” are the A&B of Prep 104 issued in May 1957 (a Capitol subsidiary label) (tracks 8 and 18 on the CD)

10. “Ol’ Man River” is the A of Jubilee JB 5395 issued in (its B-side “Always Remember (not To Forget)” is not included on the compilation because its thought not to contain any members of The Cues in the recording

11. “Rock n’ Roll Mr. Oriole”, “Killer Diller”, “Much Obliged” and “Be My Wife” are FOUR previously unreleased tracks which first appeared on the 1988 Bear Family LP “Crazy, Crazy Party” on BFX 15309 (tracks 13, 17, 5 and 19 on the CD)

12. “Yes Sir” (two takes), “Poppa Loves Momma”, “Ladder” and “Warm Spot” are FIVE previously unreleased tracks which first appeared on the expanded 1991 Bear Family CD “Why” – their placing is repeated on this 2008 reissue (tracks 1 and 27, 6, 10 and 14 on the CD)