Doo Wop Box

by

Various Artists

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Once again, the highest praise for Rhino Records. This box set, while pricey, is worth every dime. There is no place to find this much classic music in any one (or two or ten) disc package.

These discs have a great range, from the finger popping rhythms of The Turban's "When You Dance" (which according to the extensive liner notes was the first recording of the background sound which gave the genre the name "doo wop"), and the Cadillac's "Speedo" to the Marcell's classic "Blue Moon". Of course, the many tributes to love are well represented too, with The Five Keys "Glory of Love", The Five Satin's "In The Still of the Night", and my personal favorite of this style, The Flamingoes timeless "Lover's Never Say Goodbye".

Aside from these all well known gems, it is also a repository of some lesser publicized classics wonderfully interspersed with those songs now the staples of many oldies stations. It is also the only place I am aware of with the greatest named doo-wop group of all time: Vito and the Salutations, and their inimitable (and seldom heard) rendition of "Unchained Melody". It is so different from the Righteous Brothers and a wonderful piece of music.

I grew up in New York listening to this music first on the corner and then on the radio. It brings back wonderful memories of warm summer nights, and the talented (and not so-talented) guys harmonizing on the streets.