Search - Coasters :: Very Best of

Playful and mischievous "storytelling" hits

Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 05/14/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"She's pretty as a daisy but look out man she's crazy

She'll really do you in

If you let her under your skin



Poison iv-y-y-y-y, poison iv-y-y-y-y

Late at night while you're sleepin' poison ivy comes a'creepin'

Arou-ou-ou-ou-ou-ound



Measles make you bumpy

And mumps'll make you lumpy

And chicken pox'll make you jump and twitch

A common cold'll fool ya

And whooping cough can cool ya

But poison ivy, Lord'll make you itch!!



You're gonna need an ocean of calamine lotion

You'll be scratchin' like a hound

The minute you start to mess around



Poison iv-y-y-y-y, poison iv-y-y-y-y

Late at night while you're sleepin' poison ivy comes a'creepin'

Arou-ou-ou-ou-ou-ound



The Coasters had a great run while their heyday lasted; their songs were catchy, fun and a pleasure to dance to. Indeed, these tunes are still every bit as good for dancing today! Their sound was perfect for songs that were truly so much more than mere novelties; and this CD has so many of their hits. The quality of the sound is very good and the artwork is nicely done as well.



As you may know, The Coasters evolved out of a group called The Robins; and the CD starts off with two great tunes by The Robins that really show off their incredible talent. "Riot in Cell Block #9" has an early rock and roll/doo wop flavor to it and that brass is great along with those drums! Much of the same winning formula is used for "Smokey Joe's Café;" The Robins perform this with panache and this is music is all THAT good!



"Down in Mexico" has a great feel to it and the key modulations enhance the number greatly. The vocals and that music combine to make the number special; and of course there's their big hit entitled "Searchin'" that made the airwaves sizzle back in the day! "Idol with the Golden Head" and "Young Blood" are very well done; I love these tracks! I'm very impressed. "Yakety Yak" is a song most teenagers even today can relate to; and "Charlie Brown" was another huge hit that had everyone jumping up to dance whenever it was played!



"Along Came Jones" is yet another gem I've heard so many times before--but I never tire of hearing it. "That Is Rock & Roll" shines brighter than silver and gold when The Coasters do it; and "I'm a Hog for You Baby" still sounds fresh and new today! I love that use of the electric guitar on "I'm a Hog for You Baby." Of course, "Poison Ivy" is a funny song with a double-entendre message--I'm not so sure that this song is simply about poison ivy!



"What about Us" is terrific; and I really like "Run Red Run" with that piano and that backup harmonizing. "Little Egypt" is quite lascivious and "Shoppin' for Clothes" ends the CD with still another incredible song that will always be in style.



The Coasters turned out nothing but the very best music; and this CD proves it. I highly recommend this for any Coasters fan; and people just discovering The Coasters would do well to get this as a starter album."