I recently obtained these 2 CDs, and felt compelled to review them. Well, it probably seemed like a good idea to SOMEbody. Go through Jeff Kreiter's vocal group record price guide looking for white vocal groups and dollar signs. Pick tracks from 50 of the most highly-priced discs meeting the "white" criterion and compile a 2-CD set of "rare" records. It only stands to reason that if Kreiter priced them so highly they must be great recordings, right? WRONG!!
The bulk of the recordings sound exactly like what they are - off-key attempts at harmony that are NOT worth a listen. No wonder they are "rare" - nobody wanted them! Fifty stinkeroos that any bunch of white kids singing in the boys' room, or on the corner, without any musical training, and with the proverbial "tin ears" could come up with. Some of the tracks might pass muster as "filler" on an album with mostly good songs, but most can't even vie for that "distinction." And the "beauty" of it all is that the "producers" of these CDs have an excuse - "Blame Kreiter - HE says they're rare."
Anyone who has the guts to produce a "price guide" is sure to get bombarded from both sides:(1) The owners of obscure (not necessarily good) records, who all think that they are sitting on proverbial "gold mines," and think the "guide" prices are too low, and (2) Folks who don't own the obscure records and think that the compiler is out of his/her mind to put such an outrageously high price tag on an unknown recording. So I DON'T blame Kreiter, but the "anonymous" compiler(s) for putting together a pile of crud in a fast-buck "bootleg" scheme. [And I'm pretty sure whose door I'd be knocking on, but won't name names.]
As the old saying goes - "Miss it if you can." 35 bucks or so can buy a lot more satisfaction at White Castle or McDonalds.
Tracks (that SHOULD fall between the cracks):
Volume 1
01 - Please Be My Love - The Spirals
02 - I Remember - The Embertones
03 - Vines Of Love - The Del Rios
04 - I'm Lookin' Over - Tony Evans And Group
05 - Remember Me Baby - Billy And The Essentials
06 - You're My Love - The Paddles
07 - Darling Come Back - Pat Cordell And The Crescents
08 - He's So Wonderful - Stan Vincent And The Del-Satins
09 - Besame Baby - Johnny Maestro And Group
10 - Do I Have The Right - The Ideals
11 - Tina - Tony And The Raindrops
12 - Lonely Guy - Phil Demarco And The Valients
13 - Sugar Girl - Lenny Rocco And Group
14 - Trust In Love - Tommy And The Del Royals
15 - Marilyn - The Gothics
16 - I Do - The Jokers
17 - Star Of Love - The Ebbtides
18 - Remember Rita - The Barons
19 - My Life For Your Love - The 4 Lovers
20 - Walkin' Down The Avenue - Vilas Craig And Group
21 - This Love Of Ours - The Del-Rons
22 - I Still Love You - Joey And The Ovations
23 - Betty My Own - Tony Maresca And The Dynamics
24 - Cry And Be On Your Way - The Demiles
25 - Lorraine - Joey Dee And The Starlighters
Volume 2
01 - Why Don't You Write Me - The Tempos
02 - 3 Signs Of Love - Bobby And The Counts
03 - Angel Of Love - The Echoes
04 - My Tears Start To Fall - The Class-Airs
05 - Baby - The Quarter Notes
06 - The Night - Nick And The Nacks
07 - Strolling Through The Park - The Creations
08 - The Wonderful Years - Barry And The Highlights
09 - After Tonight - Tommy Frontara
10 - Walking All Alone - The Jades
11 - I Wish - Eric And The Plazas
12 - Answer My Prayers - The Pretenders
13 - Do You Remember - The Sinceres
14 - I'll Be Faithful - The Brooks 4
15 - Every Road - Anastasia
16 - Round In Circles - Donny Marchand
17 - Rain - The Demolyrs
18 - Love Bells - The Memories
19 - Launie My Love - The Valairs
20 - Chapel Doors - The Notations
21 - Darling Angel - The Royal Boys
22 - I Love You Baby - Mike Prisco And Group
23 - A Night To Remember - Bobby Longo And Group
24 - My Dream - The Clee-Shays
25 - At Seventeen - The Vocal Lords
