Recently made available, along with another transcription compilation, this package, which claims to be "Made In Germany," contains 25 tracks by the group which backed up artists like Nat King Cole in the late 1940s/early 1950s, as well as having recorded numerous discs of their own. But the tunes in this package are taken from transcription discs, those "mysterious" 16-inch platters that were produced for broadcast use only.
The Four Knights were both a refined Gospel group and a pop-blues group. The group started in North Carolina as the Southland Jubilee Singers and consisted of Gene Alford (lead), John Wallace (2nd tenor & guitar), Oscar Broadway (bass), and Clarence Dixon (baritone). The group had some of the smothest harmonies around, and were more much more "pop" than R&B.
In 1944, they were signed to a management contract by Cy Langois, of Lang-Worth Transcriptions. By 1945, they began making transcription recordings for Lang-Worth. Old Time Records has confirmed that the recordings in this collection are Lang-Worth's from this period.
Just In Case You Change Your Mind, their first recording for the "home" market, was cut for Decca in 1946. They stayed with Decca for three more releases, through 1947. Later waxings were on the Coral and Capitol labels. Their biggest hit was (Oh Baby Mine) I Get So Lonely on Capitol, recorded in 1953, which charted for 24 weeks in 1954. If you appreciate good harmony, you should enjoy this compilation.
Track listing:
1. Let Me Off Uptown
2. Georgia On My Mind
3. Why Did It Have To End So Soon
4. Dark Town Strutters Ball
5. Jezebel
6. It's A Good Day
7. I Couldn't Stay Away From You
8. Sugar Foot Rag
9. Love Is Gone
10. Old Dan Tucker
11. I'm A 12 O'Clock Guy In A 9 O'Clock Town
12. Till Then
13. Put Another Chair At The Table
14. Blue Tail Fly
15. You Tell Me Your Dream
16. Ida Sweet As Apple Cider
17. No Baby No
18. Look Up
19. My Melancholy Baby
20. Don't Count Your Dreams
21. Brother Bill
22. Honeyfoglin' Time
23. I Don't Want To Set The World On Fire
24. Fantastic
25. Chi Baba Chi Baba
