A 1988 Atlantic release, now out of print, this 2 CD set covers the early years of the Drifters.
The Drifters, originally formed by Clyde McPhatter when he left Billy Ward's Dominoes in 1953, really need no introduction to the Rock 'N' Roll or Rhythm & Blues fan. The quality of their performances, guided mainly by Atlantic gurus Ahmet Etergun and Jerry Wexler during this period, essentially speak for themselves.
In-depth information about the group, written recently by R&B vocal harmony expert Marv Goldberg, can be found at The Drifters [The Early Years], so there is no need to repeat or paraphrase his work here.
This package is essentially the "pre-Leiber/Stoller, pre-Ben E. King Drifters" - long on the sax, short on the violins (if you'll pardon the pun). Recommended, if you can find it.
Track listing (Dates shown are recording dates):
Disc 1 -
1. Lucille - (Atlantic #1019) 28 Jun 1953
2. Money Honey - (Atlantic #1006) 9 Aug 1953
3. The Way I Feel - (Atlantic #1006) 9 Aug 1953
4. Let The Boogie Woogie Roll - (Atlantic #2060) 9 Aug 1953
5. Gone - (Atlantic #1055) 9 Aug 1953
6. Such A Night - (Atlantic #1019) 12 Nov 1953
7. Warm Your Heart - (Atlantic #1029) 12 Nov 1953
8. Don't Dog Me - (Atlantic #2049) 12 Nov 1953
9. Bip Bam - (Atlantic #1043) 12 Nov 1953
10. What'cha Gonna Do - (Atlantic #1055) 4 Feb 1954
11. Honey Love - (Atlantic #1029) 4 Feb 1954
12. White Christmas - (Atlantic #1048) 4 Feb 1954
13. Bells Of St. Mary's - (Atlantic #1048) 4 Feb 1954
14. If I Didn't Love You Like I Do - (Atlantic #2082) 14 Mar 1954
15. There You Go - (Atlantic #2058) 14 Mar 1954
16. Some Day You'll Want Me To Want You - (Atlantic #1043) 14 Mar 1954
17. Try Try Baby - (Atlantic #2028) 14 Mar 1954
18. Everyone's Laughing - (Atlantic #1070) 24 Oct 1954
19. Hot Ziggety - (Atlantic #1070) 24 Oct 1954
20. Three Thirty Three - (Atco LP #SD33-375) 24 Oct 1954
Disc 2 -
1. Honey Bee - (Atlantic #2096) 21 Apr 1955
2. No Sweet Lovin' - (Atlantic #2105) 21 Apr 1955
3. Adorable - (Atlantic #1078) 19 Sep 1955
4. Your Promise To Be Mine - (Atlantic #1089) 19 Sep 1955
5. Steamboat - (Atlantic #1078) 19 Sep 1955
6. Ruby Baby - (Atlantic #1089) 19 Sep 1955
7. Drifting Away From You - (Atlantic #1141) 19 Sep 1955
8. I Should Have Done Right - (Atco LP #SD33-375) 16 Feb 1956
9. Soldier Of Fortune - (Atlantic #1101) 21 Jun 1956
10. Honky Tonky - (Atlantic LP #8041) 21 Jun 1956
11. Sadie My Lady - (Atlantic LP #8041) 21 Jun 1956
12. I Gotta Get Myself A Woman - (Atlantic #1101) 21 Jun 1956
13. Fools Fall in Love - (Atlantic #1123) 8 Nov 1956
14. It Was A Tear - (Atlantic #1123) 8 Nov 1956
15. Yodee Yakee - (Atlantic #1161) 16 Apr 1957
16. I Know - (Atlantic #1161) 16 Apr 1957
17. Hypnotized - (Atlantic #1141) 16 Apr 1957
18. Souvenirs - (Atlantic LP #8041) 16 Apr 1957
19. Drip Drop - (Atlantic #1187) 28 Apr 1958
20. Suddenly There's A Valley - (Atlantic #2087) 28 Apr 1958
