ALBUM REVIEW

HULL RECORDS CORDIALLY INVITE YOU TO MEET THE AVONS -
(Collectables CD # 5635)

This CD, released by Collectables in 1995, is currently available. It contains the complete released output of the Avons on New York's Hull label.

Formed in high school in Englewood, New Jersey, the group consisted of Bob Lea (lead), his brothers Bill (baritone) and Wendel (second tenor), Curtis Norris (bass) and Ervin Watson (first tenor). When they first got together in 1954, they called themselves the Robins. But once they learned of the West Coast group by that name, they started looking for a different name for the group. While Bill was doing his homework on Shakespeare one day, he read about the river Avon in England and the name "clicked."

In 1955 they went to New York City to see Blanche "Bea" Kaslin, owner of Hull Records, and they auditioned right in her office. Liking what she heard, she signed the Avons to her label.

Before their second release (Baby, 1957), bass Curtis Norris joined the army and was replaced by Franklin Cole. Cole enlisted after their third release (You Are So Close to Me, 1958) to be replaced by bass George Coleman, who went into the army two records later.

By 1962, baritone Bill Lea went to Uncle Sam and was replaced by Sunny Harley for the Avons' last record, A Girl to Call My Own. Soon after this song's release, the group broke up.

Despite their lack of chart success, the Avons' recordings have become northeast "oldies" favorites.

Get this one.

Tracks:
1. Our Love Will Never End - (Hull #717) 1956
2. I'm Sending S.O.S - (Hull #717) 1956
3. Baby - (Hull #722) 1957
4. Bonnie - (Hull #722) 1957
5. You Are So Close To Me - (Hull #726) 1958
6. Gonna Catch You Nappin' - (Hull #726) 1958
7. What Would I Do - (Hull #728) 1958
8. Please Come Back To Me - (Hull #728) 1958
9. What Love Can Do - (Hull #731) 1959
10. On The IsIand - (Hull #731) 1959
11. Whisper (Softly) - (Hull #744) 1961
12. If I Just Had My Way - (Hull #744) 1961
13. A Girl To Call My Own - (Hull #754) 1962
14. The Grass Is Greener - (Hull #754) 1962
15. Someone For Everyone - (Hull LP#1000) 1962
15. Fairy Tales - (Hull LP#1000) 1962

Copyright � 2002 - Doo Wop Gino

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Last updated 30 January 2002.

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