Search - Various Artists :: The Cadence Story 1953-64

Great label retrospective

Zub | Forks Twp., PA | 01/31/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Archie Bleyer's Cadence Records was an amazingly successful label during its run from the 50s into the early 60s. Many of the biggest recording acts of the era were signed to Cadence including Andy Williams, the Chordettes, Johnny Tillotson and biggest of all, the Everly Brothers. This collection from Ace Records in the U.K. summarizes the output of Cadence with sides from the major artists along with hits and a few misses from other acts signed with the label. Although containing a massive 28 tracks, including several number one songs and ten more top ten hits, this single CD can only sample the Cadence vaults. With plenty of familiar tunes to keep the listener engaged, this disc offers the bonus of many seldom-found tracks along with a few rarities adding interest to the mix. As to be expected Ace has done an excellent job in bringing these tracks to the digital domain. Sound quality is overall excellent given the vintage of the recordings. Most tracks appear in mono with 3, 21 and 22 in stereo. A 20-page liner notes booklet caps the package with detailed backround on each of the acts represented in the CD. In this piece Ace has put together a superb compilation sampling some of the best-known artists of the 50s and early 60s. Varese Vintage has two Cadence collection CDs and, as excellent as they are, this Ace piece has as many tracks as the two VV releases combined. There is considerable track duplication between the Ace CD and the Varese ones but unless a certain track is desired and found on one or the other, for just a bit more money, this piece offers a far better value."