ALBUM REVIEW

THE MOONGLOWS - BLUE VELVET / THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION -
(MCA/Chess 2 CD set # CHD2-9345)

A 1993 release, now out of print, this 2 CD set is the best single "Moonglows" package produced to date.

The 16-page booklet provides a good basic Moonglows bio and includes sufficient pertinent discographical information.

The "Crazy Sounds," formed circa 1950 in Cleveland, were Harvey Fuqua, Bobby Lester Dallas a/k/a Bobby Lester, Prentiss Barnes and Danny Coggins. In 1952, they auditioned for Cleveland DJ Alan Freed, who like them enough to re-name them the "Moonglows" after his "Moondog" radio persona, and signed them to his Champagne label, where they recorded their first release "I Just Can't Tell No Lie."

Coggins was reluctant to "turn professional" and give up his day job, so he was soon replaced by Alexander "Pete" Walton a/k/a Pete Graves. Freed got the Moonglows a recording contract with the Chance label in 1953, and 3 tracks from the "Chance" period are featured in this package.

In 1954, the group signed with the Chess label, where they enjoyed their greatest successes, which are among the 41 Chess/Checker tracks in this compilation.

Recommended, if you can find it.

Track listing (Dates shown are recording dates):

Disc 1 -
1. Secret Love - (Chance #1152) 1954
2. My Gal - (Chance #1161) 1954
3. Baby Please - (Chance #1147) 1953
4. Sincerely - (Chess #1581) Oct 1954
5. Shoo Doo Be Doo (My Loving Baby - Bobby Lester & the Moonlighters - (Checker #806) Oct 1954
6. So All Alone - Bobby Lester & the Moonlighters - (Checker #806) Oct 1954
7. Tempting - (Chess #1581) Oct 1954
8. Most Of All - (Chess #1589) 23 Dec 1954
9. New Gal - Bobby Lester & the Moonlighters - (Checker #813) 23 Dec 1954
10. He Lied - (unreleased) 23 Dec 1954
11. She's Gone - (Chess #1589) 23 Dec 1954
12. Hug And A Kiss - Bobby Lester & the Moonlighters - (Checker #813) 23 Dec 1954
13. Starlite - (Chess #1605) May 1955
14. Slow Down - (Chess #1598) May 1955
15. Foolish Me - (Chess #1598) May 1955
16. In Love - (Chess #1605) May 1955
17. In My Diary - (Chess #1611) 1955
18. Lover, Love Me - (Chess #1611) 1955
19. Let's Go - (Chess LP #701) 1955
20. We Go Together - (Chess #1619) 1956
21. Chickie Um Bah - (Chess #1619) 1956
22. When I'm With You - (Chess #1629) 1956

Disc 2 -
1. See Saw - (Chess #1629) 1956
2. Penny Arcade - (Chess #1811) 1956
3. Over And Over Again - (Chess #1646) 1956
4. I Knew From The Start - (Chess #1646) 1956
5. I'll Stop Wanting You - (Chess #1717) 5 Dec 1956
6. I'm Afraid the Masquerade Is Over - (Chess #1651) 5 Dec 1956
7. Don't Say Goodbye - (Chess #1651) 5 Dec 1956
8. Please Send Me Someone To Love -(Chess #1661) 5 Dec 1956
9. Blue Velvet - (Chess #1811) 5 Dec 1956
10. Love is A River - (Chess #1717) 5 Dec 1956
11. The Beating Of My Heart - (Chess #1689) 5 Dec 1956
12. Mr. Engineer - (Chess #1661) 1957
13. Here I Am - (Chess #1681) 1957
14. Too Late - (Chess #1681) 1957
15. What Are You Going To Do? - (unreleased) 1957
16. Confess It To Your Heart - (Chess #1669) 26 Aug 1957
17. Ten Commandments Of Love - (Chess #1705) 2 Dec 1957
18. Don't Be Afraid Of Love - (Chess#1725) 2 Dec 1957
19. Sweeter Than Words - (Chess #1701) 1958
20. Twelve Months Of the Year - (Chess #1725) 1959
21. Mama Loocie - (Chess 1738) 1959
22. She's Alright With Me - (unreleased) 1959

Copyright � 2001 - Doo Wop Gino

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Last updated 18 December 2001.

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