My wife and I are going to hear Ladysmith Black Mombazo on March 8th..

Yes, there is always a tendency by some to "improve" music to make it conform more to European standards. I hear this in some black choirs who seem to take pride in sounding "just as good as" highly trained, white choirs.

Doo wop comes from many sources, as you say, Susan. I also find different approaches from the guys in the Sentinels who grew up in New York City and "hear" the music more like Dion and The Belmonts, the Skyliners and other groups that come from a different musical tradition.

Jerry