"Come Fly With Me/I Feel Good, I Feel Fine/Sweet Vibrations/Try Me, I'm Real" by BOBBY BLAND – June 1978, September 1979, December 1980 and September 1981 US LPs on ABC and MCA Records (December 2021 UK Beat Goes On Compilation – 4LPs onto 2CDs – Andrew Thompson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

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"...Little Mama..."

 

I've loved Bobby Bland's Rhythm 'n' Blues of the Sixties and especially his stunning Seventies Funky Soul LP duo for Dunhill Records - "His California Album" in 1973 and "Dreamer" from 1974 - both of which Beat Goes On (BGO) put out on CD way back in their early 90ts reissue days (BGOCD64 and BGOCD63 respectively). In fact, both of those nuggets could do with a serious Audio upgrade - hissy lo-fi early attempts at digital transfer compared to the sophisticated productions on offer here.

 

Unfortunately, this latest BGO outing from December 2021 (delayed from November 2021 due to Covid-19) deals with 1978 through to 1981 - four albums on ABC and MCA Records where even the most generous of spirits would have to admit that the songs and music took a major nose dive as opposed to the quality of those early 70s LPs.

 

Still - BGOCD 1472 is beautifully presented, sounds awesome and with four albums on two discs (each CD wading in at over the 80-minutes barrier) – properly great value for money. Here are the sweet vibrations...

 

UK released December 2021 - "Come Fly With Me/I Feel Good, I Feel Fine/Sweet Vibrations/Try Me, I'm Real" by BOBBY BLAND on Beat Goes On BGOCD 1472 (Barcode 5017261214720) is a compilation offering 4LPs Remastered onto 2CDs.

 

Tracks 1 to 9 on Disc 1 (80:38 minutes) feature the album "Come Fly With Me" released June 1978 in the USA on ABC Records AA-1075 and ABC Records ABCL 5249 in the UK - whilst Tracks 10 to 17 are the album "I Feel Good, I Feel Fine" released September 1979 in the USA on MCA Records MCA-3157 (no UK Issue).

 

Tracks 1 to 9 on Disc 2 (82:22 minutes) feature the album "Sweet Vibrations" released December 1980 in the USA on MCA Records 5142 – whilst Tracks 10 to 18 are the album "Try Me, I'm Real" released September 1981 on MCA Records 5233.

 

The outer card slipcase always adds these Beat Goes On compilations a classy look and the 24-page chunky booklet contained within has new in-depth liner notes from CHARLES WARING of Mojo Magazine fame and a regular for BGO. All the artwork is here and best of all, beautifully clear and muscular Remasters from ANDREW THOMPSON.

 

But you wish that all this reissue effort was in the stead of better songs - "Little Mama" and "Soon As The Weather Breaks" on Disc 1 offer rare moments of genuine Soul as opposed to the terribly twee forced nature of the rest. Things improve immeasurably over on CD2 when we reach the early 80ts with the you-turn-me-out yet you-turn-me-on cool of "Sweet Vibrator". Other goodies are the finger-clicking brass-punctured swagger of "Soul With A Flavour" and the hurting abuse-me George Benson-type smooch in "Special Kind Of Fool". 

 

Gorgeous production values too on "A Real Woman Is What It Takes" where he employs that gravel voice and gargle to great effect. The 1981 platter "Try Me, I'm Real" stuck close to the preceding year's style – slow and slick for "Just You, Just Me" followed by a shuffler like "Givin' Up The Streets For Love" – but cover versions like "What A Difference A Day Makes" and "I Cover The Waterfront" feel like filler Bland can pull off in his sleep rather than genuinely inspired choices.

 

The audio is great and the BGO presentation is once again up there with the very best – but you just have to taper those Soul expectations when it comes to the actual music, especially on that weaker CD1. 

 

Fans, however, should not hesitate for a moment and dive in...this is the best representation of his material from that period to date...

"Six Classic Albums (Digitally Remastered And Enhanced For Superior Quality)" By THE FLAMINGOS – 1959, 1960 and 1962 US Mono LPs (Two From Each Year, The Last With The Moonglows) on Checker, End and Vee Jay Records (February 2016 EU/UK Real Gone Music Company 4CD 76-Track Compilation of Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

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...

"Rockin' N' Reelin' With The Cadets" by THE CADETS – 1957 US-Only Debut Album on Crown Records in Mono – Available Inside Two CDs - "The Cadets Meet The Jacks: Stranded In The Jungle" (September 1994 UK Ace Records Expanded CD Reissue & Remaster) and "The Jacks Meet The Cadets Vol.2: Why Don't You Write Me?" (May 1995 UK Ace Records CD Compilation Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

Rhythm 'n' Blues, Rock 'n' Roll and Vocal Group THE CADETS [aka The Jacks]

And Their Rare 1957 US Debut LP on Crown Records in Mono

Best Audio Available in Two Ace Records CD Compilations from 1994 and 1995

"...Hands Across The Table..."

 

Some reissue LPs stay with you and you love them to distraction - Rockstar's 1985 Eddie Cochran Compilation "Portrait Of A Legend" (with Stereo Takes), Big Joe Turner's "Rhythm & Blues Years" double album on Atlantic from 1986 and this cracker from Ace Records of the UK covering two great R 'n' B Vocal Groups from the mid Fifties...The Cadets and The Jacks...

 

It was first issued as a 16-track VINYL LP in the UK called "The Cadets Meet The Jacks" on Ace Records CH 196 in January 1987. The September 1994 UK-released CD upgrade called "The Cadets Meet The Jacks: Stranded In The Jungle" on Ace Records CDCHD 523 (Barcode 029667153423) expands that initial count of 16 and adds 9 more to make it 25 tracks in all (65:22 minutes total playing time). The CD also replaces Ted Carroll's liner notes with those of Chicago Rhythm 'n' Blues expert JIM DAWSON.

 

Although THE CADETS released 14 singles and THE JACKS managed 6 on Modern - each of these intertwined R 'n' B Vocal Group incarnations charted big just once. THE JACKS got there first in July 1955 with "Why Don't You Write Me?" on RPM Records 428 - while THE CADETS made it with the novelty hit "Stranded In The Jungle" on Modern 944 in July 1956 (itself a cover of a JAYHAWKS song on Flash Records 109 also in 1956). 

 

This first volume CD concentrates mainly on THE CADETS between 1955 and 1957 and along with a second Ace CD compilation called "The Jacks Meet The Cadets Vol.2: Why Don't You Write Me?" released on CD in May 1995 (CDCHD 535) will allow fans to sequence all of their singles on Modern as follows:

 

SINGLES:

[7/1] = Track number 7 on Volume 1 while [7/2] = Track 7 on Volume 2 

(You will need both CDs):

 

1. Don't Be Angry [7/1] b/w I Cried  [7/2] (Modern 956, April 1955)

2. Rollin' Stone [6/1] b/w Fine Lookin' Baby [10/2] (Modern 960, June 1955)

3. I Cried [7/2] b/w Fine Lookin' Baby [10/2] (Modern 963, July 1955)

4. Annie Met Henry [5/1] b/w So Will I [24/2] (Modern 969, 1955)

5. Do You Wanna Rock [4/2] b/w If It Is Wrong [15/2] (Modern 971, November 1955)

6. Heartbreak Hotel [18/1] b/w Church Bells May Ring [15/1] (Modern 985, February 1956)

7. Stranded In The Jungle [1/1] b/w I Want You [19/2] (Modern 994, June 1956)

8. I Got Loaded [22/1] b/w Dancin' Dan [22/2] (Modern 1000, September 1956)

9. I'll Be Spinning [23/1] b/w Fools Rush In [3/1] (Modern 1006, Nov 1956)

10. Love Bandit [13/1] b/w Heaven Help Me [3/2] (Modern 1012, December 1956)

11. Wiggle Waggle Woo [12/2] b/w You Belong To Me [20/2] (Modern 1017, 1957)

12. Pretty Evey [10/1] b/w Rum, Jamaica Rum [20/1] (Modern 1019, May 1957, credited as Aaron Collins & The Cadets)

13. Hands Across The Table [8/1] b/w Love Can Do Most Anything [11/1] (Modern 1024, August 1957 credited as Will Jones & The Cadets)

14. Ring Chimes [17/1] b/w Baby Ya Know [12/1] (Modern 1026, December 1957)

 

This CD has 4 PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED - Tracks 5, 14, 19 are 'Alternate Takes' of Annie Met Henry, Why Did I Fall In Love and Dancin' Dan - while Track 25 is an 'Undubbed Version' of Stranded In The Jungle (without the overdubbed Jungle sounds). The much-revered LITTLE WALTER DE VENNE researched and compiled the set and the hugely informative 12-page booklet by JIM DAWSON gives a virtual track-by-track history - even reproducing tiny Cashbox Adverts in between the text. But the big news (as it was with the LP) is the stunning audio quality. The greatly missed 'BOPPIN' BOB JONES mastered the tracks initially for the 1987 LP - whilst this set boasts 1994 Post Production work done by DAVID YOUNG at Sound Mastering in London. The sonic clarity is fabulous - clear, full of life, great presence and sounding like they were recorded yesterday and not a half-a-century ago.

 

The handsome quartet on the cover shot (from left to right) are Will "Dub" Jones, Willie Davis, Thomas "Pete" Fox and Aaron Collins. Sporting two world-class frontmen - Will Jones had the most extraordinary low-low-low Bass voice while Aaron Collins was the other Lead Tenor (he also co-wrote "Car Crash" and "Don't"). Collins and Jones handled the leads on The Cadets sides while Tenor Willie Davis fronted The Jacks. Not featured on the glorious album cover are the other three integral parts of the group - Ted Taylor (Tenor), Glendon Kingsby (who left to pursue Gospel) and Lloyd McCraw (Baritone).

 

The Cadets specialized in doing cover versions of other people's hits. Their debut single is a version of Nappy Brown's "Don't Be Angry", "Do You Wanna Rock" is a re-working of Clyde McPhatter & The Drifter's Atlantic hit "Whatcha Gonna Do" and they even had an unsuccessful stab at Elvis Presley on the A and The Willows on the B for Modern 985 in the heat of Rock 'n' Roll in February 1956. Whilst this almost total reliance on covers doesn't sound promising - one of the reasons I love these CD compilations so much is that their versions are actually ace in my books.

 

The group could effortlessly switch between Slow Vocal Group Crooner tunes and outright Rocking R'n'B - having the lead tenor vocalists able to slay both. I adore "Hands Across The Table" (a song stretching all they way back to 1934) with Dub Jones' voice literally startling the neighbours - while the Johnny Mercer/Glenn Miller perennial "Fools Rush In" is gorgeous. They take the wonderful crossover hit "Sixty Minute Man" by Billy Ward & The Dominoes and turn it into an equally cool dancer - "Dancin' Dan". And the drinking song "I Got Loaded" made it onto many of my Shop Play CDs when I was at Reckless.

 

ALBUM:

Crown also issued a lone 12-Track Mono CADETS LP in 1957 called "Rockin' N' Reelin' With The Cadets" on Crown Records CLP 5015 – a sought after Rhythm and Blues dancing rarity. Like the singles, with nine track on Volume 1 and three tracks on Volume 2 (the last of which is technically The Jacks – Smack Dab), again you will need both CDs to sequence all of it as follows:

 

Side 1

1. Stranded In The Jungle [1/1]

2. I Want You [19/2]

3. So Will I [19/2]

4. I'll Be Spinning [24/1]

5. Fools Rush In [3/1]

6. Annie Met Henry [5/1]

Side 2

1. Heartbreak Hotel [18/1]

2. Dancin' Dan [22/2]

3. Church Bells May Ring [15/1]

4. I Got Loaded [22/1]

5. Rollin' Stone [6/1]

6. Smack Dab In The Middle [9/1]

 

Ted Taylor enjoyed a great solo career - both Collins and Davis would join The Flairs in 1961 - while Betty and Rosie Collins (his sisters) recorded as The Teen Queens. Will "Dub" Jones later went with The Coasters as their Bass Vocalist - staying with them for over 10 years.

 

Cool, classy and crack-a-lackin' - I love these CADETS and JACKS CDs and I urge you to do the finger-clickin' same...

"Dedicated To You" by THE "5" ROYALES – Spring 1958 US Debut Album on King Records in Mono – Inside "Soul & Swagger: The Complete "5" Royales 1951-1967" (April 2014 US RockBeat Records 5CD Compilation of Remasters in a Limited Edition Presentation 124-Page 9" x 9" Hardback Book) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

 

Their 1958 US Debut Album "Dedicated To You" on King Records in Mono

Best Audio Available In "Soul & Swagger: The Complete "5" Royales 1951-1967"

2014 US RockBeat Records 5CD Hardback Book Set of Remasters

"...All Righty..."

 

In the not-so-album-orientated Fifties and dedicated almost exclusively to the Rhythm and Blues 45-singles market, King Records USA nonetheless put out four long-playing albums for The "5" Royales.

 

For the purpose of this outing, we are going to deal with their fabulous and period evocative debut LP - "Dedicated To You" (King 580) issued sometime in the spring of 1958, probably March or April. Its 12-tracks consisted of 1955 and 1957-issued King singles and its title nodded towards the favourable press traction the "Dedicated To The One I Love" 45 was getting by March 1958 (the more famous girl group cover version by The Shirelles wouldn’t enter Billboard charts until July 1959 and only on second issue became a hit in 1961).

 

You can get cheaper digital versions of King material by The "5" Royales - but I would advise that your hard earned buck-pound-euro stops here. Sounding leagues ahead of what's gone before (even from quality labels like Rhino and Ace) - this gorgeously presented all-encompassing 5CD Set celebrating the R'n'B and Soul sides of The "5" Royales has had Reissue Of The Year 2014 tagged onto it in many press quarters. And holding this Hardback Book Package with its 141 tracks and 124-page memorabilia-festooned book in my grubby hands - frankly I'm not in the least bit surprised.

 

RockBeat Records of Sherman Oaks, California, USA is new to me as a reissue label, but man have they done the business here and even (dare we say it) - raised the reissue bar by a mile or two. The CD details are...

 

USA released 1 April 2014 (June 2014 in the UK) - "Soul & Swagger: The Complete "5" Royales 1951-1967" is a 5CD Hardback Book Set on RockBeat Records ROC-CD-3101 (Barcode 089353310127). Disc 1, 29 Tracks, 76:09 minutes, Disc 2, 28 tracks, 75:24 minutes, Disc 3, 29 tracks, 73:16 minutes, Disc 4, 26 tracks, 72:19 minutes and Disc 5, 29 tracks, 75:00 minutes.

 

The first thing that hits you about this set (apart from the exceptional sound) is the glorious packaging. This really is a beautiful thing to behold. Similar to Motown's "Singles" Book Sets in concept and shape - the thick Hardback Book opens to Disc 1 imbedded in the front cover flap with a fantastic array of Apollo, King, ABC-Paramount, Todd, Federal and other relevant labels as a backdrop. There's a short 1-page Forward by STEVE CROPPER of Booker T & The M.G.'s, an introduction by compilers JAMES AUSTIN and TOM McCULLOUGH while BILL DAHL'S superlative essay on the group begins on Page 11 and finishes with reference-sources on Page 65 (what a great writer he is). There then follows colour pages of those rare EPs and LPs on King and Apollo. Inbetween all that is a stunning parade of memorabilia photos, label repros, fan-club memberships, concert posters and their name in lights at venues - and at the end a mind-blowing page-after-page display of every 45 and rare 78".

 

But to give you an indication of the real detail involved here the track-by-track annotation begins on Page 68 and doesn't end until Page 107 with many of the entries having the Billboard and Cashbox Reviews relevant to each song printed beneath the entry! I can't imagine the hundreds of hours it must have taken to do this - picking out each available reference - but it's exemplary stuff. Both "Much In Need" and "Goof Ball" on the Home Of The Blues label were also released on ABC-Paramount - so the page displays of 45s has both. The only other label with this level of depth is of course Bear Family (and those Universal/Hip-O Select Motown Book Sets that won awards).

 

JERRY PETERSON at SOUND AVENGER did the Remastering and any fan that has owned previous CDs will immediately notice the audio improvement. These tracks sound boss - full of Fifties presence and life and allowed to breath - a top job done. Completists will also notice from the lists provided above that there's actually only one Previously Unreleased track (No 10 on Disc 5) - the others have been on LPs and CD compilations from Gusto to Collectibles. But this is of course the first time the lot has been bundled together in the same place - and presented with such lavish style. Now to the debut album within this...

 

You can sequence the 1958 Debut Album "Dedicated To You" from Discs 3 and 2 as follows [3/3] and [17/2] = Track 3 on CD3, Track 17 on CD2 etc:

 

Side 1:

1. Think [6/3]

2. Someone Made You For Me [17/2]

3. Just As I Am [1/3]

4. Don't Be Ashamed [11/3]

5. Come On And Save Me [23/2]

6. I'd Better Make A Move [7/3]

 

Side 2:

1. Dedicated To The One I Love [10/3]

2. Right Around The Corner [19/2]

3. Say It [9/3]

4. Messin' Up [8/3]

5. Tears Of Joy [4/3]

6. Thirty-Second Lover [5/3]

 

A song most associated with James Brown and The Famous Flames, "Think" opens Side 1 with a Rhythm and Blues swaying bang. Issued May 1957 as a 45-single on King 45-5053, after steady traction, it began a good chart climb in September 1957 and peaked at No. 9. So its hardly surprising that both it and the March 1957 single that preceded it "Tears Of Joy" (King 45-5032 was another No. 9 Billboard R&B charting for The Royales in July 1957) is also here.

 

We get all Flamingos on the wonderfully romantic "Tears Of Joy" (again gorgeous audio). It's a Vocal Group mid-tempo with a superb backing vocals arrangement as they "ooh, ooh, ooh..." their way through proceedings (James Brown gal Vicki Anderson took a version of it into the charts in 1967). Another classy slow song is "I'd Better Make A Move" - a wicked B-side Group Collectors will need. The "Think" flipside "I'd Better Make A Move" ends Side 1 - while the "Tears Of Joy" flipside "Thirty Second Lover" ends Side 2.

 

"Someone Made Me For You" was issued way back in October 1955 on King 45-4830 as the A-side, while "Just As I Am" was pressed into service on King 454973 in September 1956 and again from that pivotal year, the come-back-girl pleader "Come On And Save Me" was issued July 1956 as the A on King 45-4952.

 

The Five Royales Side 2 opener "Dedicated To The One I Love" was first issued December 1957 on King 45-5098 as the A-side original. After Billboard ads and radio play, it was getting mentions and traction in March 1958 but it didn't chart. The more famous cover version of it (and some would say more saccharine) by The Shirelles girl group entered the Billboard Hot 100 in July 1959 and peaked at No. 89, but their second issue of it in January 1961 on Scepter 1203 was huge – No. 3 R&B and No. 2 Pop. And in 1967, a truly gorgeous re-make by The Mamas & The Papas would make No. 4 with Dunhill D-4077

 

The bopping "Right Around The Corner" again went back two years, the A-side of a January 1956 single on King 45-4869, while "Say It" and "Messin' Up" were the B and A-side (in that order) of King 45-5082 in October 1957. And the LP ends on the R&B hit "Tears Of Joy" and a well-praised flipside "Thirty-Second Lover".

 

For what is admittedly an obscure compilation album from 1958 on King Records by some Fifties Rock and Roll and Rhythm and Blues group you have probably never heard of – spending fifty-plus quid on this beautiful 5CD RockBeat Book Set may seem like something of a cream-filled cake-like extravagance. But this is fantastic stuff, and like all greatness, it costs.

 

Fab, brill and well done to all involved for getting "Dedicated To You" out there and in such glorious style too...