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-STREET CORNER
HARMONY WONDERS by Gary Tate: Doo-Wop is
probably the least understood segment of early Rock n' Roll,
but its spontaneity, plaintive quality, and soothing youthful
vibes provided immediate resonance to teens. Those were their
peers getting heard, and making waves, and providing them with
a palpable sense of pride. |
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1· Cleftones (Mp3-Little Girl Of Mine)
This 1956 tune became a showstopper for the
group, and street corner anthem for curbside crooners. |
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2· Dion & The Belmonts
(Mp3-In
The Still Of The Night)
For material, Doo-Woppers turned to standards,
hoping to re-gear them to the new beat. Many
were
laughable, but this floating arrangement
gloriously captured the spirit of the Cole Porter
classic. |
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3· Capris
(Mp3-That's
How Love Goes)
A beautiful and heartfelt ballad that showcases the amazingly
styled
vocals of Nick Santamaria. |
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4· Penguins
(Mp3-Do
Not Pretend)
They attained Doo-Wop
immortality with Earth Angel,
but had at least
10 other tunes of equal caliber. |
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5·
Del-Vikings
(Mp3-Cool
Shake)
In 1957, there were
two Del-Vikings.
They both hit
Top 10 at the same time: Here's Cool Shake. |
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6· Splendors
(Mp3-The
Golden Years)
Hundreds of ballads kept young couples
entranced
and entwined. Reminiscences about teenage
years. |
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7·
Jive Five
(Mp3-Here
I Am)
Their 'My True Story' was the greatest Doo-wop/R&B
ballad ever. Here's another one for the Jive Five! |
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8· Dukays
(Mp3-The
Girl Is A Devil)
This was Gene 'Duke Of Earl'
Chandler's group. At
times,
this tune
is reminiscent of the Coasters. |
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9· Sharps
(Mp3-We
Three-My Echo,
My Shadow, and Me)
This Old Town group does proper justice
to
a chestnut originally popularized by the Ink Spots. |
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X· Spaniels
(Mp3-Please Don't Tease)
From 1956, lead
vocalist 'Pookie' Hudson influenced such
Soul
singers as Lou Rawls and Brook Benton. |
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