Search - Various Artists :: For Collectors Only: The Rarities, Vol. 1

For Collectors Only & Avid Fans of Doo Wop

Jon R. Wittman Re/Max | San Marino, Ca United States | 12/07/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the real deal! Forty tracks on 2 Cd's of some of the rarest, sweetest and greatest R&B vocal groups of the 50's. You won't find these gems on "Oldies Radio", or on the old charts from the era. I laugh at those reviews of this genre were the reviewer is always citing how big a hit the groups records were and how they charted on the R&B & pop charts. To the real fan & collector of Doo-Wop the most important facts are the rarity (usually lack of sales) and sound. Most of these groups were from the urban street corners and local high schools. None were thinking of recording rare records, probably all were hoping for fame and fortune with a big hit. Some of these groups did go on to later fame like The Moonglows, Flamingos & Dells. Most cut one or two sides that were released and then forgotten. This Cd has some of the most beautiful of these rare tracks such as the simply gorgeous "Golden Teardrops" by the Flamingos and one of the rarest single recordings of all time by the Hideaways. Make no mistake, these are not B sides, unreleased tracks or throw-a-ways. These are the real deal, with only three fast songs on the Cd and the rest are romantic and slow, with sweet high leads and background harmonies and simply some of the best of R&B vocal group music ever recorded. You probably never heard many of these records, but if you are a fan you can't go wrong. Some of the groups were very rough and unpolished and never had a chance to improve. Others like the Flamingos, Dells, Avalons, Velvets and Moonglows were very professional in their recordings. If you are a collector or fan you can't go wrong. Five stars all the way!"