Search - Dells :: On Their Corner: Best of

These cats should be in the hall of fame

mistermaxxx@yahoo.com | usa | 01/18/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"having listened to there slow jams and the soul they display they belong in the rock-n-roll hall of fame.first class material.oh what a night,stay in my corner,nadine etc..as great as any other soul vocal group.the movie the five heartbeats is about them check that out as well."

Great Introduction To A Great Group

James E. Bagley | Sanatoga, PA USA | 08/23/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"MCA has done a terrific job with its Chess reissues and compilations and this 18 song collection on the Dells is no different.On Their Corner covers the Dells' glory years - which spanned 1966 to 1975 - on the Chess subsidiary label Cadet. All of their most important hits are included, such as the doo wop-rich "Stay In My Corner" and "Oh What A Night," the angst-filled gem "I Can Sing A Rainbow/Love Is Blue," and the frenetically hypnotic "There Is." Most of their lesser hits are here as well, like the seductive "I Miss You" and the sweet "The Love We Had (Stays On My Mind)." There is also a previously unreleased track from 1972: "Since I Found You."The extensive liner notes (six pages) offer a detailed history of the Dells, emphasizing, of course, their years on Cadet and the enclosed songs. The track sequencing is superb, allowing a steady mixture of fast and slow numbers. While the tracks are not in exact chronological order, the evolution of the Dells' sound from the mid-60s to the mid-70s is clearly conveyed.I would have liked to see included the bouncy singles "Hallways Of My Mind" and "Oh What A Day," as well as their outstanding remakes of "Long Long Lonely Nights" and "Since I Don't Have You" from their 1969 lp LIKE IT IS, LIKE IT WAS (among others). For a more thorough look at the group, check out their two-disc anthology (and pray for a box set). For a single disc sampling of their very best, though, this is the set to get."

On the Corner; the Best of The Dells

George Kossatch | New York City | 04/12/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Dells as a group originated about the year 1955-56. At that time they had six members in the group. I remember having in my possesion as a kid of 8-9 years old, an original "78" speed record of the Dells. Later still we as Manhatan 'youths' would croon it on the corner and in the subways. "Time marches on, on marches time" shoop-bop, doo wop, etc. And then they were gone. That is until we witnessed them singing with other groups, known and uknown. By the way, the best singer "par Excellance" I ever have heard was "Lil Anthony" of the Imperials. Once at Radio City Hall, I was the back-up band, and he had a duel with Johnny Mathis. This went on backstage and finally in front, and Lil Anthony way out did him. Why? Is for another time. However, when I next heard the Dells was in concert at the Beacon theather in Manhattan. Wow! They were good with the 80"s sound. But finally, they came out with their own recording. No matter what, their style is totaly unique, and still to thiss day holds that essence they always had. For example, the first cut: Oh what a Night. Examplifies their styling. Any group singing harmony whom have a high lead vocal, must always have a high background harmony. Even the Bass, and Falsetto who are such a signature of their wonderful efforts- interweave the both in such a manner that it is both a Doo Wop and fits quite nicely with todays so-called sound. Naaturally, the technology is accentuating the record. Meaning CD, stereo, mixing, tracts, and so forth which did not exist in the fifties. Yet, their original uniqueness remains, and is only that much better after four decades. To truly appreciate the Dells, one must see or hear them in concert. I would have more to say, but I truly recommend the Dell's current CD, and solely await their next release."