Greatest Doo-Wop Performance

Subject: Greatest Doo-Wop Performance?
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 17 Dec 05 - 04:05 PM

Picking up on the "Greatest Soul Record" theme, how about Doo-Wop? I think I love Doo-Wop because of the "human quality" of the recordings. In doo-wop the voices are all important, with minimal backing. My favourite ? The glorious "My True Story" by The Jive 5. It was a big hit in the States in the early 60s, but didn't do anything here in the UK.

Subject: RE: Greatest Doo-Wop Performance
From: GUEST,smiler
Date: 17 Dec 05 - 04:59 PM

Showaddywaddy and Darts got me into this in the seventies. They played round my neck of the woods. Would be hard pushed to say which one was the greatest though.

Subject: RE: Greatest Doo-Wop Performance
From: Peter T.
Date: 17 Dec 05 - 06:00 PM

"Duke of Earl" -- not exactly doo-wop, but one man doo-wop. yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: Greatest Doo-Wop Performance
From: Bill D
Date: 17 Dec 05 - 06:24 PM

"Greatest Doo-Wop Performance" category error! Does not compute!

Subject: RE: Greatest Doo-Wop Performance
From: Bobert
Date: 17 Dec 05 - 06:50 PM

"Blue Moon"

Subject: RE: Greatest Doo-Wop Performance
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 17 Dec 05 - 07:07 PM

Two of my very favorite rhythm and blues vocal group recordings are In The Still Of The Night by the Five Satins, and I Only Have Eyes For You by the Flamingos. Doug McClure was a teenager and sang tenor on In The Still Of The Night, which was recorded in a basement in New Haven, Connecticut, Where Doug still lives. Doug also sang for something like 17 years with the Flamingos. Fine as those groups were, that was all preparation for becoming the new tenor in The Gospel Messengers.

My other all-time favorite would be Earth Angel, by the Penguins. Doug assures me that he never sang with them, though.

Jerry

Subject: RE: Greatest Doo-Wop Performance
From: jimmyt
Date: 17 Dec 05 - 07:19 PM

Come Go with Me by the Dell Vikings rates very high on my list.

Subject: RE: Greatest Doo-Wop Performance
From: GUEST,Texas Guest
Date: 17 Dec 05 - 07:20 PM

Subject: RE: Greatest Doo-Wop Performance
From: GUEST,Texas Guest
Date: 17 Dec 05 - 07:51 PM

Sorry for the empty space above, folks - someday I'll get this right!
Doo-wop is some of my most faviorite stuff. I was a tiny kid when it was a major player in pop music so by the time I became a musician myself it was long gone and I didn't get to play it - until I got to Texas. I came to Texas from Detroit in the late 70's; and, in the early 80's answered an ad in the Dallas Times Herald for a drummer to play in a 50's rock-n-roll show band.

Well, I showed up with my kit and found a seven-piece band with three "chick" singers and everyone except me in their late teens and early twenties. They were learning the songs off of the original records - a definite cover band. The lead singer turned to me and asked if I'd ever heard of a song called "Pretty Little Angel Eyes"
and I almost flipped out with excitement. He never asked again, he just turned and said, "Little Darlin'," "Duke Of Earl," "Step By Step," etc. I knew 'em all - all the licks and all the kicks. The
gig lasted about two years and it was a hell of a lot of fun.

Dion was interviewed on the NPR show, "Fresh Air" a while back and he explained how all of the individual voices of the Belmonts took the place of what would have been different instruments or sections of a big band - which was a lot of the music that preceeded Doo-wop.

As for who was the best, WOW, so many, many good ones; but, if I HAD to pick I'd have to go with Johnny Maestro and whaterver band he is singing with on whatever song you pick. He has a GREAT rock-n-roll voice to this day.

I still love the stuff, but you gotta make a living - so now I'm a
folkie (always where my heart's been) who's an ex-drummer - with great rhythm. Cheers, y'all.

Subject: RE: Greatest Doo-Wop Performance
From: jimmyt
Date: 17 Dec 05 - 08:32 PM

Texas Guest, Johnny Maestro is absolutely positively, without a doubt, THE MAN!!! I have some of his CDs and he pretty much is the epitome of Do-wop for my money! I know Jerry R will disagree but I think Johnny M's razor sharp voice sums up the east coast So-wop sound! Great to hear him mentioned. I still have a do-wop group that does a few gigs a year in white bucks or saddles and cardigan sweaters. Great fun although a bit more entertainment than fine art but hell, I just love to see a happy audience! jimmyt

Subject: RE: Greatest Doo-Wop Performance
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 17 Dec 05 - 09:34 PM

If you're talking about great lead singers, my man jimmyt, I definitely disagree. I don't believe anyone could even graze Tony Williams of the Platters, and while the Flamingos were more known for their harmonies, their lead singers were really fine, too.

Guess it all boils down to a matter of taste.

And the lead singer of the Penguins had such emotion in his voice that while I wouldn't consider him the "greatest," their songs always pulled me in. (I will send you a whole, 16 track best of the Penguins CD, jimmy if you haven't heard their range of material.

And then, there was Sonny Till of the Orioles.

In a way, it would be foolish to compare someone like Sonny Till or Tony Williams to Johnny Maestro because their styles were so different, as were the songs that they recorded. They were all great, in their own way.

No need to determine who was the "greatest." They can't even agree whether Coke or Pepsi is..

Jerry

Subject: RE: Greatest Doo-Wop Performance
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 17 Dec 05 - 09:39 PM

And as white lead singers go, don't forget Dion or Frankie Valli... completely different, but both great for the particular material they sang.

Jerry

Subject: RE: Greatest Doo-Wop Performance
From: jimmyt
Date: 17 Dec 05 - 09:57 PM

My mentor is Jerry! He is my favorite white guy in a black quartet also. As well as my favorite Wisconsinite...period! I would have to listen to both of them side by side, but as far as white leads, Johnny Maestro hands down for me. I know Frankie Valli and Dion were much more famous but that darn Johnny has a voice that cuts thru steel!   I can't wait to hear the first cuts of the Gospel Flamingo messengers though! Jerry, you may be back on the road again!

Subject: RE: Greatest Doo-Wop Performance
From: Pauline L
Date: 17 Dec 05 - 11:31 PM

I'm not quite old enough to remember all these songs when they first came out. Is there some place on the Internet where I can listen to them?

Subject: RE: Greatest Doo-Wop Performance
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 18 Dec 05 - 06:17 AM

I'll see if I can find a site for you, Pauline... or maybe someone else knows one.

Here's an interesting story about the Crests.

When the Crests first formed, they were about as integrated a group as you could imagine. They were four guys and a girl. Two guys were black, one was Puerto Rican and one Italian (Johnny Mastrangelo,) and the girl was black. As they started to gain popularity, the black girl's Mother wouldn't let her tour with four guys and she had to drop out of the group. The black girl's name was Pat Van Dross. She had a younger brother who would have made an interesting replacement, but he was a little too young to join the group. He did alright though. When he got older he went out on his own. His name was Luther. Luther Van Dross.

Jerry

Subject: RE: Greatest Doo-Wop Performance
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 18 Dec 05 - 06:39 AM

Hey Pauline: (Or wasn't that "Hey, Paula"?)

Go to group harmony in Search Web, and then click on Doo Wop RnB Webcasts. They list 75 different Doow Wop & R &B webcasts streamed on the internet. The Group Harmony Website has information on many of the groups but focuses primarily on the early R & B up until the 50's.

Jerry

Subject: RE: Greatest Doo-Wop Performance
From: GUEST,Joe Moran
Date: 18 Dec 05 - 08:52 AM

I totally agree with the comments made about the lead singer with The Platters, Tony Williams. What a voice, but I don't think I've ever seen his name pop up on those various lists of the greatest pop/rock singers of the the 20th century. Ridiculous! And how about Ben E. King? I remember hearing a radio interview with him where he was recalling the days when he used to sing on street corners. Great stuff!

Subject: RE: Greatest Doo-Wop Performance
From: DannyC
Date: 18 Dec 05 - 10:17 AM

How 'bout:

"Tears on my Pillow" - Little Anthony and The Imperials

Subject: RE: Greatest Doo-Wop Performance
From: PoppaGator
Date: 18 Dec 05 - 12:51 PM

I really love all the doo-wop classics already mentioned. Let me mention one more favorite: "Speedo" (as in "They often call me Sppedo / But my real name is Mister Earl.)

My friend and sometime mentor, the late great Ernie K-Doe, was a member of the Flamingos very early in his career. His mother took him north from New Orleans to Chicago when he was a teenager, and they got hooked up with producer Harvey Fuqua.

Ernie had a monumental ego and a penchant for, er, occasionally stretching the truth, but I know he belonged to the group at some point in time, because his face is clearly seen in the album-cover photo most commonly used for Flamingos "greatest hits" collections. Late in life, he began claiming credit for singing the great hit "I Only Have Eyes For You" ~ perhaps my single favorite vocal recording of all time ~ but I am sure that the lead-vocal voice on that record is NOT K-Doe. However, it's quite plausible that he was part of the vocal harmonies on that great record.

Subject: RE: Greatest Doo-Wop Performance
From: fat B****rd
Date: 18 Dec 05 - 02:06 PM

"There's A Moon Out Tonight" by, I think, The Capri's. Loved The Teenagers n'all.
I don't know wether it qualifies as doo wop but "Rubber Biscuit" by the Chips always does it for me.

Subject: RE: Greatest Doo-Wop Performance
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 18 Dec 05 - 02:25 PM

And Clyde McPhatter wasn't too shabby when he was the lead for the Drifters.

Jerry

Subject: RE: Greatest Doo-Wop Performance
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 18 Dec 05 - 02:40 PM

For anyone interested, The DaCapo Book Of American Singing Groups by Jay Warner is a pure delight. It traces the growth of American singing groups from the 1930' form the Ink Spot and Mills Brothers, right up to almost-contemporary groups in 1990. It's loaded with great photos, complete discographies and personnel changes from the most famous groups to (Yes), The Chips. No bathroom should be without one.

Jerry

Subject: RE: Greatest Doo-Wop Performance
From: GUEST,Texas Guest
Date: 18 Dec 05 - 06:29 PM

Just thought I'd come back again and mentioned the Doo-wop programs shown on PBS, especially during donation periods - many of the old groups are there, and there are replacements within the groups for those who have died, etc. The shows are great, though, and are available on video/DVD - for a price, of course. They broadcast one the other night and damn, the lead singer for the Duprees must be sixty, EASY, and his voice is as good as 1959. Does anyone remember the Orlons? They were a fine girl/guy group who has had much of their material (I've read) tied up in courts so you don't hear them much. They had three or four big hits and the one I remember the most was a tune called, "Don't Hang Up." Well, I'm outta' here, I could talk about, listen to, and try to sing this stuff all night, but there's work to do, Santa's comin'. Cheers.

Subject: RE: Greatest Doo-Wop Performance
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 18 Dec 05 - 07:57 PM

The Orlons biggest hit was probably The Wah Wahtusi..

Jerry

Subject: RE: Greatest Doo-Wop Performance
From: jimmyt
Date: 18 Dec 05 - 08:07 PM

Jerry , you know a song that i have wanted to do but never learned yet was GET A JOB. Kind of a fun little throwaway song, don't you think?

Subject: RE: Greatest Doo-Wop Performance
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 18 Dec 05 - 08:46 PM

Dip Dip Dip Dip Dip Dip Dip Dip , noom noom noom noom noom noom noom noom, get a job..

Gosh, jimmy, as a bass singer, I wonder why you'd like to do that song.

Every morning about this time she gets me outta my bed a cryin', get a job..

Yeah, that's one of my favorites, as is Come Go With Me, and then there's Up On The Mountain by the Magnificents that has a great running bass line...

Too bad we aren't tenors... then we could do Stay and When You Dance..

Jerry

Subject: RE: Greatest Doo-Wop Performance
From: leftydee
Date: 18 Dec 05 - 10:34 PM

my favorites (in no particular order)

There's a Moon Out Tonight - the Capris

Denise - Randy and the Rainbows

Since I Don't Have You - the Skyliners

So Fine - the Fiestas

Little Darlin' - the Gladiolas

I love that stuff. Thanks for bringing up the subject, Jerry! I'm going to go find some DooWop to listen to, it makes me feel good just thinking about it.

Bob

Subject: RE: Greatest Doo-Wop Performance
From: Azizi
Date: 18 Dec 05 - 10:50 PM

I'm lovin so many of these examples. I remember so many of them.

But here's a question: is Doo-Wop [or some Doo-Wop anyway] a form of R&B? or is it a part of Rock N'Roll?

And isn't [pre-1960s] "Rock N'Roll" an earlier term for R&B/soul music?

If not what's the difference between them? {and I guess I could also throw in that Pop music genre}.

****

And BTW, are Jerry {Rasmussen} and GUEST,Tunesmith the same person?
If not, Tunesmith was the one who started this conversation.

It's no big deal, but I just believe in giving credit where credit is due.

Thanks, Tunesmith for a great thread. {Of course,Jerry's threads are always great!}

Subject: RE: Greatest Doo-Wop Performance
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 18 Dec 05 - 11:07 PM

I ain't Tunesmith... just enjoying the thread. "Doo Wop" was an after-the-fact term dreamt up by someone to describe a particular type of vocal group. Someone must have a more concise definition but the Platters are considered "doo wop," while the Temptations are not.
I don't worry much about what people mean by "Doo Wop" because all of that music was just called Rhythm and Blues. Fats Domino, Little Richard and Chuck Berry were considered rhythm and blues when they were first becoming popular.

There were groups like the Hilltoppers (who I still like a lot) who did covers of rhythm and blues groups (they covered Only You and Ko Ko Mo) whose style was less blues related, and more like barbershop.

Rhythm & Blues is like folk music... we all know what it is, even if we can't define it, and don't agree.

All these forms of music bleed into each other. Chuck Berry came out of electric blues, was considered rhythm and blues, and now is thought of as early Rock and Roll.

I'll leave definitions to someone else. I just love the music.

And thank you, Tunesmith...

I'm listening to The Flamingos as I type this...

What harmonies!

Jerry

Subject: RE: Greatest Doo-Wop Performance
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 18 Dec 05 - 11:08 PM

And Lefty:

The Capris are one of the few groups who released a fine album many, many years after they first recorded, including a great song, There's A Moon Out Again, which I like even BETTER than There's A Moon Out Tonight (which is also one of my favorites..)

Jerry

Subject: RE: Greatest Doo-Wop Performance
From: Rabbi-Sol
Date: 18 Dec 05 - 11:28 PM

I knew one of the Capris, Tommy Ferrara very well. He lived in my neighborhood (Great Kills) when I used to live in Staten Island. He drove a charter bus for Domenico Bus Service of Bayonne, N.J. I used to run bus tours and chartered from Domenico. He drove many of them.

                                              SOL ZELLER

Subject: RE: Greatest Doo-Wop Performance
From: Ron Davies
Date: 19 Dec 05 - 12:12 AM

It's just totally impossible to for me to pick "the greatest"--there are so many fantastic ones.

One of my all-time favorites not yet mentioned is the Spaniels--Goodnight Sweetheart.

Subject: RE: Greatest Doo-Wop Performance
From: Shiplap Structure3
Date: 19 Dec 05 - 03:48 AM

June Tabor My Way

Subject: RE: Greatest Doo-Wop Performance
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 19 Dec 05 - 05:40 AM

A couple of points: First, I too remember hearing a radio interview with Ben E King wherein Ben E was talking about his "street corner" singing days, and he cited " Speedo" as his all-time favourite doo-wop recording. Secondly, are our American friends familiar with " Only You" ( not The Platters' song) by the British group "The Flying Pickets" ? If not, try to hear it. It really is a beautiful piece of doo-wopish/acapella singing.

Subject: RE: Greatest Doo-Wop Performance
From: Peter T.
Date: 19 Dec 05 - 08:17 AM

We had a great thread here on the technical aspects of Doo-wop (I was involved in it, he blushes to admit). Can't seem to bring it up however.

"Along Came Jones" -- I suppose it was sort of Doo-wop.

yours,

Peter T.

Subject: RE: Greatest Doo-Wop Performance
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 19 Dec 05 - 09:41 AM

Funny thing is, Peter, the Coasters are considered rock and roll by most people. Just goes to show how arbitrary and personal definitions are..

Jerry

Subject: RE: Greatest Doo-Wop Performance
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Dec 05 - 04:23 PM

Fans of truly fine lead doo-wop singing need to check out the Planotones, who were on one of those PBS shows.   It's not an original 50s group but their lead singer, who apparently was with Jay & the Americans, has a truly awesome singing style.

Subject: RE: Greatest Doo-Wop Performance
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 19 Dec 05 - 04:24 PM

I'll see in the Planotones have any CDs out...

Jerry