THE FLAMINGOS 1959 Debut Album "Flamingos" on Checker Records
Best Audio Available Inside This Real Gone Music 4CD Set from 2016
"Six Classic Albums"
"...A Kiss On Your Lips..."
Real
Gone Music Company of the USA are a wing of that other great American Reissue
Company – Rhino Records.
As
of now (March 2022) - Real Gone Music have a shed-load of these 4-CD
multiple-album compilations in the marketplace covering swathes of
out-of-copyright material mainly from the Fifties and Sixties. Classy Artists
that are history-famous - but just don't sell for dosh anymore. So RGM does it
cheap, loaded and cheerful.
The
format for this series of foursomes is the same - a 4-way foldout card digipak holds
four discs in clear trays while all labels look like old black vinyl grooves and are the
same. Info is listed on the rear with a very functional reference to LPs
or 45s beneath. None have booklets, discographies or appreciations of any kind (not
even a mastering credit) - but what you do get is sheer volume and great
Rhino-related Remastered Audio. And they are very cheap...but back to that
audio...
Take
their early 1959 debut album simply entitled "Flamingos" - a 12-track
masterclass in smooth Vocal Group delivery. More Platters than Doo Wop - it
sounds so damn clean here - like it was plucked off tapes that have looked
after in buttermilk. Some of these tracks are just gorgeous. But as you can see
from the photos provided, the huge let down is the naff looks. Each of the two inner-flaps
has a collage of Flamingo-related photos and memorabilia – so I suppose that is
something (not that you actually read or see any of it), but each of the
see-through trays has the same 'A Word About High Fidelity' ye-old inner bag. Still
– that sound! "A Kiss On Your Lips" is right. Here are the digital delights
and swoonsome details...
UK/EU-released
12 February 2016 - "Six Classic Albums (Digitally Remastered And Enhanced
For Superior Quality)" by THE FLAMINGOS on Real Gone Music RGMCD198
(Barcode 5036408178022) is a 4CD 76-Track compilation that plays out as
follows:
CD1
(49:18 minutes):
1.
Dream Of A Lifetime [Side 1]
2.
Ko Ko Mo
3.
Whispering Stars
4.
On My Merry Way
5.
The Vow
6.
Would I Be Crying
7.
A Kiss From Your Lips [Side 2]
8.
Shilly Dilly
9.
Stolen Love
10.
Chickie Um Bah
11.
Nobody's Love
12.
That's My Baby (Chika Boom)
Tracks
1 to 12 are their debut album "Flamingos" - released early 1959 in
the USA on Checker Records LP-1433 in Mono.
13.
Love Walked In [Side 1]
14.
Music Maestro Please
15.
Begin The Beguine
16.
The Breeze And I
17.
Time Was
18.
Goodnight Sweetheart
Tracks
13 to 18 are Side 1 of their second LP "Flamingo Serenade" - released
April 1959 in the USA on End Records LP-304 in Mono
CD2
(52:09 minutes):
1.
I Only Have Eyes For You [Side 2]
2.
I'm in The Mood For You
3.
As Time Goes By
4.
Where Or When
5.
Yours
6.
But Not For Me
Tracks
1 to 6 are Side 2 of their second LP "Flamingo Serenade" - released
April 1959 in the USA on End Records LP-304 in Mono
7.
In The Still Of The Night [Side 1]
8.
Beside You
9.
Never In This World
10.
When I Fall In Love
11.
You, Me And The Sea
12.
Everybody's Got A Home (But Me)
13.
Nobody Loves Me Like You [Side 2]
Tracks
7 to 18 are their fourth studio album "Requestfully Yours" - released
late 1960 in the USA on End Records LP 308 in Mono
CD3
(54:09 minutes):
1.
Besame Mucho
2.
Dream Girl
3.
Crazy, Crazy, Crazy
4.
That's Why I Love You
5.
Heavenly Angel
6.
Mio Amore (My Love)
7.
Maria Elena [Side 2]
8.
Sweet And Lovely
9.
Tell Me How Long
10.
My Foolish Heart
11.
You Belong To My Heart
12.
Bridge Of Tears
Tracks
1 to 12 are their third studio album "Flamingo Favorites" - released
early 1960 in the USA on End Records LP 307 in Mono
13.
Too Soon To Know [Side 1]
14.
Flame Of Love
15.
The Sinner (El Pecador)
16.
I'm Coming Home
17.
(When You're Young And) Only Seventeen
18.
Ol' Man River
Tracks
13 to 18 are Side 1 of their fifth studio album "The Sound Of The
Flamingos" - released 1962 in the USA on End Records LP 316 in Mono-only
CD4
(63:06 minutes):
1.
You're Mine [Side 1]
2.
My Lovely One
3.
I Know Better
4.
Moonlight In Vermont
5.
Without His Love
6.
Danny Boy
Tracks
13 to 18 are Side 2 of their fifth studio album "The Sound Of The
Flamingos" - released 1962 in the USA on End Records LP 316 in Mono-only
7.
Vooit Vooit [Side 1]
8.
Oh Rockin' Daddy
9.
September Song
10.
Secret Love
11.
Someday, Someway
12.
Real Gone Mama
13.
Golden Teardrops
14.
I Was Wrong
15.
Carried Away [Side 2]
16.
Whistle My Love
17.
That's My Desire
18.
219 Train
19.
Cross Over The Bridge
20.
My Gal
21.
If I Can't Have You
22.
Baby Please
Tracks
7 to 22 are the shared album "The Flamingos Meet The Moonglows On The
Dusty Road Of Hits" - released late 1962 in the USA on Vee Jay Records LP
1052 in Mono. Tracks 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19 and 21 by THE FLAMINGOS with Tracks 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 and 22 by THE MOONGLOWS.
Hailing from Chicago, The
Flamingos have long been considered by collectors as 'the' class act of Harmony
Vocals and Doo Wop. 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, and I had a few on Sequel in
the 90ts when Castle Music was reissuing them, but this compilation outdoes
them all. A few moments of Nate Nelson leading the vocal smooch on "I Only
Have Eyes For You" and I’m a goner.
So - lots of tracks, very
good sound and at less than six quid - its dirt-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...
