Search - Intruders :: Best Of: Cowboys to Girls

Best Set Available on Underappreciated Philly Soul Group

James E. Bagley | Sanatoga, PA USA | 08/29/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"While not among the best remembered soul groups to emerge from Philadelphia in the '60s and '70s, the Intruders were instrumental in helping define what would become known as Philly Soul. This vocal quartet was the first signing to Gamble & Huff's Excel label (changed soon after to Gamble Records) in 1965. With these records, Gamble & Huff began to develop the production style which would reach its peak in the '70s with the O'Jays, Billy Paul, and Harold Melvin & the Bluenotes.The Intruders' trademark was the endearingly off-key lead vocals of Sam "Little Sonny" Brown. Brown's shaky voice was a good match for such novelty numbers as "(Love Is Like A) Baseball Game," "Me Tarzan You Jane," "(Win Place Or Show) She's A Winner, and the R & B number one "Cowboys To Girls." He also projected a warm innocence on romantic ballads, including "We'll Be United," "Together" and "When We Get Married."This 20-track set contains the majority of their R & B hits (including all of the above). Unfortunately omitted were the uptempo charmer "Give Her A Transplant" as well as "I'm Girl Scoutin'," the only Intruders' single not to include Brown (his defection from the group lasted less than six months). This collection also includes most of their 1973 album Save The Children. One of the best Philly Soul albums ever, this concept recording offers uniquely effective covers of Marvin Gaye's title track and Paul Simon's "Mother And Child Reunion," as well as stunning originals like "I Wanna Know Your Name" and their artistic apex, "I'll Always Love My Mama."After the release of Save The Children, the Intruders only had two more chart entries: "A Nice Girl Like You" and a strong version of the Carpenters' "Rainy Days And Mondays." While the latter recording is not included here, this is still the best Intruders collection available. It is even better than the two-disc, thirty-track Golden Classics which contains a lot of filler and omits "(Win Place Or Show) She's A Winner.""

THE INTRUDERS COWBOYS GIRLS BEST

David D. Macks | 02/21/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a fantastic CD. It brought back so many memories - good ones. The Intruders - what a great group who created beautiful, romantic music. I already have a few request from friends to order this CD for their collection.Buy this CD - trust me you will not regret it."

Yes, The Album is as Great as Others are Saying

Ho Chi Minh | Texas | 01/02/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I know I'm not Original here, as the Previous 13 Reviews have awarded the Same 5 Stars to this Release, but I feel the need to Echo the sentiment. The Intruders, led by the Unmistakable Hurting/Cracking, Passionate Voice of Little Sonny Brown, are Grossly Underappreciated, These Songs stand among the Greatest in Soul History, Gems like "Together", "I Wanna Know Your Name", "Love is Like a Baseball Game", "United", and on and on....and the Long Version of "I'll always love My Mama", where Pt. 2 of the song (the second half, if you will, as listed on My Original 45 Copy I bought in 1973) has the Intruders Rapping, Playing the "Dozens", quite interesting to hear still; An Absolute MUST for Your Music Library...I am Pleased to have seen the Intruders Perform at Constitution Hall in D.C. in 1993, reunited with Little Sonny after Many Years away...The Pain in His Voice One Hears in many of these Songs was Real, Little Sonny Jumped from a Bridge near Philadelphia to His Death in 1995......RIP"