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Saturday, October 27, 2012

Doowop favourites

With the Long Island Doowop festival fast approaching (Hurricane Sandy permitting), talk at the Woodies meet up last night turned to favourite doowop records. Almost impossible to pick out a favourite top ten, but regular blog reader Gordon Fleming had a go (although he said that the list would probably have changed by today!) Here they are (with Youtube links):
DRIFTERS - White Christmas (Atlantic)  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kF_5nARtHn8
DUBS - Could This Be Magic (Gone)
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsH418wCt3M
FLAMINGOS - Golden Teardrops (Chance)  
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAkILZ4vuoc
CARDINALS - The Door Is Still Open (Atlantic)   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuGzYS0k3sc
DOMINOES - These Foolish Things (Federal)  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbgUPh2sLcw
SPANIELS - Peace Of Mind (Vee-Jay)  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDjPMwVgRFk
DELLS - Oh What a Night (Vee-Jay)   
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FICEMBph6qY
COASTERS - Zing! Went The Strings of My Heart (Atco) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9B_nveSI_3g
OTIS WILLIAMS & THE CHARMS - I Knew It All The Time (DeLuxe) Flipside: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeESTte6gVQ
"5" ROYALES - Think (King) 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HPLvUfrONY
 
Here's a top ten of my own. I've cheated a bit by selecting just from the acts who will be appearing next week:
GENE CHANDLER - Duke Of Earl (Vee-Jay)  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9PoUsRibtE
HARPTONES - Sunday Kind Of Love (Bruce)  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CdoYdYYOuU
JIVE FIVE - My True Story (Beltone)  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glOMdK8gfbo
PENGUINS- Earth Angel (Dootone) 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJcGi4-n_Yw
PARADONS - Diamonds And Pearls (Milestone)  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97lgS_eKlxU
CAPRIS - There's A Moon Out Tonight (Old Town) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97lgS_eKlxU
FLAMINGOS - Nobody Loves Me Like You (End) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Nv0SMAfbc
EL DORADOS - At My Front Door (Vee-Jay)  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAP_z-kEhgk
MAURICE WILLIAMS & ZODIACS - Stay (Herald)  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1Z_hskvz1M
FIVE SATINS - In The Still Of The Night (Ember)  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBT3oDMCWpI
Other suggestions more than welcome. I may choose another bunch of favourites at some point.

And here's the contribution from 'Soulboy' John Jolliffe:
Following on from last night, I'll get the ball rolling with my top ten Doo-Wop's + 2 bonus ones
A dozen classic ageless Doo-Woppers, that have worn out many needles.
Jerry Butler & the Impressions - For Your Precious Love
The Moonglows - Ten Commandments Of Love
Jesse & Marvin - Dream Girl (Who are Jessie Belvin & Marvin Phillips, later Marvin & Johnny fame)
Danny & the Juniors - At The Hop
The Fascinators - Oh Rosemarie (Brilliant)
The Diamonds - Little Darlin'
The Rainbows - Mary Lee (Also brilliant)
The El Cords - Peppermint Stick (Amazing)
The Earls - Remember Then
The Medallions - Buick 59
Rudy & the Rialtos (feat Wolfman Jack) - Christmas Tears Will Fall
Dion & the Belmonts - I Wonder Why (below)
 

4 comments:

  1. Here's mine
    Dells Oh What a night Vee Jay (in my top 5 records of any genre ever)
    Spaniels Piece of Mind Vee Jay (best vocal group song performance I've ever seen)
    Marcels Most of All Colpix (coz of the "Electra Glide in Blue" scene)
    Nutmegs Story Untold Herald
    Chips Rubber Biscuit Josie
    5 Satins To the Aisle Ember
    Those Four Eldorados A lonely Boy Academy
    Excellents Coney Island Baby Blast
    Norman Fox and the Rob Roys Pizza Pie Capitol (seen them twice at Hauppauge - always loved them )
    Chuck Berry and Moonglows Almost Grown Chess (slightly cheating here)


    John Marriott
    (and I didn't mention alleyoop !)

    ReplyDelete
  2. John Jolliffe added:
    10 doowop records......that will never be featured on the BBC play list.
    The Cleftones - Little Girl Of Mine
    The Diamonds - Little Darlin
    The Paragons - Hey Little Schoolgirl
    The Coasters - Young Blood
    The Crests - 16 Candles
    The Students - I'm So Young
    The Drifters - There Goes My Baby
    The Safaris - Image Of A Girl
    Shep & the Limelites - Daddy's Home
    The Cleftones - You Baby You

    ReplyDelete
  3. From Mike Bunning:
    Hi Nick
    Re your blog on Doo-wops- Here is My latest choice in no particular order or preference:-
    1. The Valentines-Tonight Kathleen- Old Town-1954
    2. Hollywood Flames-Let's Talk it Over-Swingtime-1953
    3. Dominoes-Sixty minute man - Federal-1951
    4. Moonglows-I Knew From The Start - Chess-1956
    5. Robins- One Kiss - Spark - 1955
    6. Larks-My Reverie - Apollo - 1951
    7. Spiders-I'm Slippin' In - Imperial 1954
    8. Crests-The Angels listened in - Co-Ed - 1959
    9. Orioles-It's Too Soon to know - Jubilee - 1948
    10. Ravens-Write me one Sweet Letter - Mercury-1952b

    By the Way - do check these on-line web-sites for great Doo-wop recordings from USA.
    Vintagegroupharmonyshow.com-Tony Fournier presenting Yesterday's memories-R&B Show-Marv Goldberg presents Lou rallo's Big beat show-This is weekly program-excellent indeed.
    These are presented programmes:-
    The following is a highly informative blog I've just discovered:- ClassicUrbanharmony.com

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  4. From John Howard:

    From my Vintage Rock article. This is not in order, since The Wind by Nolan Strong and the Diablos is the best record ever made by anyone in any style. Ever, ever, ever. Without Nolan, no Smokey, no Michael Jackson, no Prince.

    If by any chance, you don't have it, come back to me and I will send it to you. Do no accept any other version, particularly The Jesters cover.

    Your Essential top ten doo-wop records
    1. In the Still of the Night by The Five Satins
    2. I Only Have Eyes for You by The Flamingos
    3. My True Story by The Jive Five
    4. The Wind by Nolan Strong and the Diablos
    5. I Wonder Why by Dion and The Belmonts
    6. There’s a Moon Out Tonight by The Capris
    7. Looking for an Echo by Kenny Vance and the Planotones
    8. Maybe by The Chantels
    9. Baby Oh Baby by The Shells
    10. Flat Tire by The Dell Vikings

    ReplyDelete