Time to grow old gracefully, 03 Nov 2008
Having bought absolutely everything that Dion has released since 1962 it pains me to write anything negative about one of the truly great voices of rock. I've lived with him through pop, blues, rock, folk, God, blues again but this album hots rock bottom. It's just a horrible old fashioned covers album and to pretend that it is some kind of homage to Dion's heroes is just commercial junk. The awful photo's showing him posing "with attitude" actually make him look like an elderly idiot. Grow up you silly old fool and give me back MY HERO.

Still Rockin', 03 Nov 2008
The greatest white singer in the history of rock and roll (in my humble opinion)still cutting the mustard. On the back of 2 great blues orientated albums comes his tribute to guitar heroes. His voice is as good as ever (he'll be 70 next year!) and he attacks these songs with all the fire of a 20-30 year old.The DVD is a real bonus with Dion talking us through each track. Long may he continue to record. Top tracks - Summertime Blues & Believe What You Say.

Time to grow old gracefully, 03 Nov 2008
Having bought absolutely everything that Dion has released since 1962 it pains me to write anything negative about one of the truly great voices of rock. I've lived with him through pop, blues, rock, folk, God, blues again but this album hots rock bottom. It's just a horrible old fashioned covers album and to pretend that it is some kind of homage to Dion's heroes is just commercial junk. The awful photo's showing him posing "with attitude" actually make him look like an elderly idiot. Grow up you silly old fool and give me back MY HERO.

Still Rockin', 03 Nov 2008
The greatest white singer in the history of rock and roll (in my humble opinion)still cutting the mustard. On the back of 2 great blues orientated albums comes his tribute to guitar heroes. His voice is as good as ever (he'll be 70 next year!) and he attacks these songs with all the fire of a 20-30 year old.The DVD is a real bonus with Dion talking us through each track. Long may he continue to record. Top tracks - Summertime Blues & Believe What You Say.


Tony Williams and friends, 17 Jun 2008
This latest TV advertised set has 20 tracks from the America's first soul group. All the original 50's well known songs are included, except for "You'll Never, Never Know (I Care)". Have they included "You'll Never Know", which is a different tune entirely, by mistake ? However, it's the oddities that make this compilation so intriguing. If you buy the album for Tony Williams smooth lead vocals, you will not be disappointed by the hits and versions of standards like "September In The Rain" and you might even be pleasantly surprised by rare tracks like "I Don't Know Why", presumably with Zola Taylor on lead. Is it a different male lead on "Temptation" and "You've Changed" ? Nevertheless, they are fine cuts. I would have preferred if the version of "Crying In The Chapel" had been omitted and the inclusion of what sounds like a sixties or seventies cut of Ketty Lester's "Love Letters" is very odd. It's just out of place. Still, this is a nice taster of this groups fine musical legacy.

Time to grow old gracefully, 03 Nov 2008
Having bought absolutely everything that Dion has released since 1962 it pains me to write anything negative about one of the truly great voices of rock. I've lived with him through pop, blues, rock, folk, God, blues again but this album hots rock bottom. It's just a horrible old fashioned covers album and to pretend that it is some kind of homage to Dion's heroes is just commercial junk. The awful photo's showing him posing "with attitude" actually make him look like an elderly idiot. Grow up you silly old fool and give me back MY HERO.

Still Rockin', 03 Nov 2008
The greatest white singer in the history of rock and roll (in my humble opinion)still cutting the mustard. On the back of 2 great blues orientated albums comes his tribute to guitar heroes. His voice is as good as ever (he'll be 70 next year!) and he attacks these songs with all the fire of a 20-30 year old.The DVD is a real bonus with Dion talking us through each track. Long may he continue to record. Top tracks - Summertime Blues & Believe What You Say.


Tony Williams and friends, 17 Jun 2008
This latest TV advertised set has 20 tracks from the America's first soul group. All the original 50's well known songs are included, except for "You'll Never, Never Know (I Care)". Have they included "You'll Never Know", which is a different tune entirely, by mistake ? However, it's the oddities that make this compilation so intriguing. If you buy the album for Tony Williams smooth lead vocals, you will not be disappointed by the hits and versions of standards like "September In The Rain" and you might even be pleasantly surprised by rare tracks like "I Don't Know Why", presumably with Zola Taylor on lead. Is it a different male lead on "Temptation" and "You've Changed" ? Nevertheless, they are fine cuts. I would have preferred if the version of "Crying In The Chapel" had been omitted and the inclusion of what sounds like a sixties or seventies cut of Ketty Lester's "Love Letters" is very odd. It's just out of place. Still, this is a nice taster of this groups fine musical legacy.


A Satisfied Customer, 04 Jun 2008
I bought this at the request of a friend of my mum's. She lives in a nursing home and has taken an interest in revisiting music of her youth. I've bought several CDs on her behalf but as she and my mum listened to this one she said "It's the best yet". It brought back memories of dancing with her husband when they were both young. She said to mum, "after you go I listen to it again and have a good cry." Her husband had died several years ago.

You'll Never Know (Unless You Listen), 09 Jan 2008
Hmmm...yes, original Platters, great. But if you're buying this for their hit "You'll Never Never Know" - don't. Ignorance and/or carelessness prevail. What you get is their version of the Warren/Gordon standard "You'll Never Know" ("...you'll never know just how much I love you, you'll never know just how much I care," etc). In fairness, it does say "You'll Never Know" on the tracklist. But it's credited to the writers of "You'll Never Never Know" (who cop the royalties), so the compiler evidently intended to include the hit "You'll Never Never Know", not the obscure "You'll Never Know"...though not so obscure now, as the error might get propagated throughout digital infinity.
The original hit version of "You'll Never Never Know" is available on the "Anthology" - but that's expensive. One never knows, do one...

Best of the best of..., 22 Apr 2007
This wonderful "cheap" Spectrum compilation of the authentic 50's
Platters is a real treasure. The absolutely best DooWop group of all
times (with the best black voice ever of Tony Williams) can be found
on this CD with unbeatable quality. More than half of the Platters'
Greatest are in full stereo although we're still in the fifties!!
All the charting hits are there. This is a "must" for all record
collectors!!

The Original Recordings, 01 Apr 2007
These are the original recordings with the great Tony Williams on lead vocals, the cd bears a Spectrum logo which is owned by Universal Music which in turn owns the Platters "Mercury" recordings fron 1955-1961 which is ther classic period, a great cheep cd with all the major recordings, agreat listen from start to end clocking in at 47 mins.

First black vocal group to become major stars, 01 Mar 2005
In the fifties, it was hard for black singers to sell music to white record buyers, but the Platters managed to do just that, thus helping to blaze the trail for the many others that followed. Some of their songs were covers of songs from the thirties and forties, suitably updated for the fifties. Some people mistakenly think of songs such as Smoke gets in your eyes and Harbor lights (both dating from the thirties) as being Platters originals - I was among them for many years.

The Platters were much more successful in America than in Britain, but the few UK hits that they had have left a lasting impression. The great pretender (a 1987 top five UK hit for Freddie Mercury), Smoke gets in your eyes (a 1974 top twenty UK hit for Bryan Ferry) and Only you (a minor hit for several artists down the years) have all charted for other artists since the Platters charted with them in the fifties.

Although this is the first of two volumes, it contains all of their most famous recordings, whether they are originals or covers. Apart from those already mentioned, their other British hits include Twilight time, My praer, You'll never never know, I'm sorry and Remember when. The only one not here is It isn't right - it was the flip side of You'll never never know and you can find it on volume 2.

If you just want a single CD containing their important tracks, this will do. If you enjoy it enough, you can always buy volume 2 later.

Time to grow old gracefully, 03 Nov 2008
Having bought absolutely everything that Dion has released since 1962 it pains me to write anything negative about one of the truly great voices of rock. I've lived with him through pop, blues, rock, folk, God, blues again but this album hots rock bottom. It's just a horrible old fashioned covers album and to pretend that it is some kind of homage to Dion's heroes is just commercial junk. The awful photo's showing him posing "with attitude" actually make him look like an elderly idiot. Grow up you silly old fool and give me back MY HERO.

Still Rockin', 03 Nov 2008
The greatest white singer in the history of rock and roll (in my humble opinion)still cutting the mustard. On the back of 2 great blues orientated albums comes his tribute to guitar heroes. His voice is as good as ever (he'll be 70 next year!) and he attacks these songs with all the fire of a 20-30 year old.The DVD is a real bonus with Dion talking us through each track. Long may he continue to record. Top tracks - Summertime Blues & Believe What You Say.


Tony Williams and friends, 17 Jun 2008
This latest TV advertised set has 20 tracks from the America's first soul group. All the original 50's well known songs are included, except for "You'll Never, Never Know (I Care)". Have they included "You'll Never Know", which is a different tune entirely, by mistake ? However, it's the oddities that make this compilation so intriguing. If you buy the album for Tony Williams smooth lead vocals, you will not be disappointed by the hits and versions of standards like "September In The Rain" and you might even be pleasantly surprised by rare tracks like "I Don't Know Why", presumably with Zola Taylor on lead. Is it a different male lead on "Temptation" and "You've Changed" ? Nevertheless, they are fine cuts. I would have preferred if the version of "Crying In The Chapel" had been omitted and the inclusion of what sounds like a sixties or seventies cut of Ketty Lester's "Love Letters" is very odd. It's just out of place. Still, this is a nice taster of this groups fine musical legacy.


A Satisfied Customer, 04 Jun 2008
I bought this at the request of a friend of my mum's. She lives in a nursing home and has taken an interest in revisiting music of her youth. I've bought several CDs on her behalf but as she and my mum listened to this one she said "It's the best yet". It brought back memories of dancing with her husband when they were both young. She said to mum, "after you go I listen to it again and have a good cry." Her husband had died several years ago.

You'll Never Know (Unless You Listen), 09 Jan 2008
Hmmm...yes, original Platters, great. But if you're buying this for their hit "You'll Never Never Know" - don't. Ignorance and/or carelessness prevail. What you get is their version of the Warren/Gordon standard "You'll Never Know" ("...you'll never know just how much I love you, you'll never know just how much I care," etc). In fairness, it does say "You'll Never Know" on the tracklist. But it's credited to the writers of "You'll Never Never Know" (who cop the royalties), so the compiler evidently intended to include the hit "You'll Never Never Know", not the obscure "You'll Never Know"...though not so obscure now, as the error might get propagated throughout digital infinity.
The original hit version of "You'll Never Never Know" is available on the "Anthology" - but that's expensive. One never knows, do one...

Best of the best of..., 22 Apr 2007
This wonderful "cheap" Spectrum compilation of the authentic 50's
Platters is a real treasure. The absolutely best DooWop group of all
times (with the best black voice ever of Tony Williams) can be found
on this CD with unbeatable quality. More than half of the Platters'
Greatest are in full stereo although we're still in the fifties!!
All the charting hits are there. This is a "must" for all record
collectors!!

The Original Recordings, 01 Apr 2007
These are the original recordings with the great Tony Williams on lead vocals, the cd bears a Spectrum logo which is owned by Universal Music which in turn owns the Platters "Mercury" recordings fron 1955-1961 which is ther classic period, a great cheep cd with all the major recordings, agreat listen from start to end clocking in at 47 mins.

First black vocal group to become major stars, 01 Mar 2005
In the fifties, it was hard for black singers to sell music to white record buyers, but the Platters managed to do just that, thus helping to blaze the trail for the many others that followed. Some of their songs were covers of songs from the thirties and forties, suitably updated for the fifties. Some people mistakenly think of songs such as Smoke gets in your eyes and Harbor lights (both dating from the thirties) as being Platters originals - I was among them for many years.

The Platters were much more successful in America than in Britain, but the few UK hits that they had have left a lasting impression. The great pretender (a 1987 top five UK hit for Freddie Mercury), Smoke gets in your eyes (a 1974 top twenty UK hit for Bryan Ferry) and Only you (a minor hit for several artists down the years) have all charted for other artists since the Platters charted with them in the fifties.

Although this is the first of two volumes, it contains all of their most famous recordings, whether they are originals or covers. Apart from those already mentioned, their other British hits include Twilight time, My praer, You'll never never know, I'm sorry and Remember when. The only one not here is It isn't right - it was the flip side of You'll never never know and you can find it on volume 2.

If you just want a single CD containing their important tracks, this will do. If you enjoy it enough, you can always buy volume 2 later.

Superb R n B, 25 Mar 2006
Great stuff - memorable songs, great group harmonies & Curtis Mayfield on lead! What more could any real soul fan ask for?

Good production, esp. allowing for the age of most of the recordings with some 'message' music that's still topical today.

Stand out tracks include:

Gypsy Woman - slowish but really melodic

I'm The One Who Loves You - more up tempo & catchy as anything

It's Alright - great song, uptempo, positive lyrics, great use of the horns

I'm So Proud - slower pace, very catchy song

Amen - almost gospel like, really catchy chorus

People Get Ready - theres a train coming! Manages to be a message song thats also catchy as hell

Essential purchase full of tunes you'll be humming to yourself for ages!

Time to grow old gracefully, 03 Nov 2008
Having bought absolutely everything that Dion has released since 1962 it pains me to write anything negative about one of the truly great voices of rock. I've lived with him through pop, blues, rock, folk, God, blues again but this album hots rock bottom. It's just a horrible old fashioned covers album and to pretend that it is some kind of homage to Dion's heroes is just commercial junk. The awful photo's showing him posing "with attitude" actually make him look like an elderly idiot. Grow up you silly old fool and give me back MY HERO.

Still Rockin', 03 Nov 2008
The greatest white singer in the history of rock and roll (in my humble opinion)still cutting the mustard. On the back of 2 great blues orientated albums comes his tribute to guitar heroes. His voice is as good as ever (he'll be 70 next year!) and he attacks these songs with all the fire of a 20-30 year old.The DVD is a real bonus with Dion talking us through each track. Long may he continue to record. Top tracks - Summertime Blues & Believe What You Say.


Tony Williams and friends, 17 Jun 2008
This latest TV advertised set has 20 tracks from the America's first soul group. All the original 50's well known songs are included, except for "You'll Never, Never Know (I Care)". Have they included "You'll Never Know", which is a different tune entirely, by mistake ? However, it's the oddities that make this compilation so intriguing. If you buy the album for Tony Williams smooth lead vocals, you will not be disappointed by the hits and versions of standards like "September In The Rain" and you might even be pleasantly surprised by rare tracks like "I Don't Know Why", presumably with Zola Taylor on lead. Is it a different male lead on "Temptation" and "You've Changed" ? Nevertheless, they are fine cuts. I would have preferred if the version of "Crying In The Chapel" had been omitted and the inclusion of what sounds like a sixties or seventies cut of Ketty Lester's "Love Letters" is very odd. It's just out of place. Still, this is a nice taster of this groups fine musical legacy.


A Satisfied Customer, 04 Jun 2008
I bought this at the request of a friend of my mum's. She lives in a nursing home and has taken an interest in revisiting music of her youth. I've bought several CDs on her behalf but as she and my mum listened to this one she said "It's the best yet". It brought back memories of dancing with her husband when they were both young. She said to mum, "after you go I listen to it again and have a good cry." Her husband had died several years ago.

You'll Never Know (Unless You Listen), 09 Jan 2008
Hmmm...yes, original Platters, great. But if you're buying this for their hit "You'll Never Never Know" - don't. Ignorance and/or carelessness prevail. What you get is their version of the Warren/Gordon standard "You'll Never Know" ("...you'll never know just how much I love you, you'll never know just how much I care," etc). In fairness, it does say "You'll Never Know" on the tracklist. But it's credited to the writers of "You'll Never Never Know" (who cop the royalties), so the compiler evidently intended to include the hit "You'll Never Never Know", not the obscure "You'll Never Know"...though not so obscure now, as the error might get propagated throughout digital infinity.
The original hit version of "You'll Never Never Know" is available on the "Anthology" - but that's expensive. One never knows, do one...

Best of the best of..., 22 Apr 2007
This wonderful "cheap" Spectrum compilation of the authentic 50's
Platters is a real treasure. The absolutely best DooWop group of all
times (with the best black voice ever of Tony Williams) can be found
on this CD with unbeatable quality. More than half of the Platters'
Greatest are in full stereo although we're still in the fifties!!
All the charting hits are there. This is a "must" for all record
collectors!!

The Original Recordings, 01 Apr 2007
These are the original recordings with the great Tony Williams on lead vocals, the cd bears a Spectrum logo which is owned by Universal Music which in turn owns the Platters "Mercury" recordings fron 1955-1961 which is ther classic period, a great cheep cd with all the major recordings, agreat listen from start to end clocking in at 47 mins.

First black vocal group to become major stars, 01 Mar 2005
In the fifties, it was hard for black singers to sell music to white record buyers, but the Platters managed to do just that, thus helping to blaze the trail for the many others that followed. Some of their songs were covers of songs from the thirties and forties, suitably updated for the fifties. Some people mistakenly think of songs such as Smoke gets in your eyes and Harbor lights (both dating from the thirties) as being Platters originals - I was among them for many years.

The Platters were much more successful in America than in Britain, but the few UK hits that they had have left a lasting impression. The great pretender (a 1987 top five UK hit for Freddie Mercury), Smoke gets in your eyes (a 1974 top twenty UK hit for Bryan Ferry) and Only you (a minor hit for several artists down the years) have all charted for other artists since the Platters charted with them in the fifties.

Although this is the first of two volumes, it contains all of their most famous recordings, whether they are originals or covers. Apart from those already mentioned, their other British hits include Twilight time, My praer, You'll never never know, I'm sorry and Remember when. The only one not here is It isn't right - it was the flip side of You'll never never know and you can find it on volume 2.

If you just want a single CD containing their important tracks, this will do. If you enjoy it enough, you can always buy volume 2 later.

Superb R n B, 25 Mar 2006
Great stuff - memorable songs, great group harmonies & Curtis Mayfield on lead! What more could any real soul fan ask for?

Good production, esp. allowing for the age of most of the recordings with some 'message' music that's still topical today.

Stand out tracks include:

Gypsy Woman - slowish but really melodic

I'm The One Who Loves You - more up tempo & catchy as anything

It's Alright - great song, uptempo, positive lyrics, great use of the horns

I'm So Proud - slower pace, very catchy song

Amen - almost gospel like, really catchy chorus

People Get Ready - theres a train coming! Manages to be a message song thats also catchy as hell

Essential purchase full of tunes you'll be humming to yourself for ages!



Mellow Doo Wop Magic, 12 Apr 2007
I have loved Doo Wop since I started collecting 50s Rock n Roll about 6 years ago. Through getting the `R&B hits of 195-` series on Indigo I became particularly attached to the laid back, sometimes mournful, sometimes playful, sometimes risqué style of this kind of music. These may have been the boy bands of the time, but the frisky and powerful deliverance of groups like the Clovers and the Dominoes were considered pretty shocking at the time. That power is slightly lost on this compilation as the sound quality is a bit lacking on the transfer to CD, but this is a cheap compilation so fair enough i suppose. Some tracks (but not many) are not the original (best) versions, for example, the Prisonaires 'walking in the rain', but a collector of rock n roll will find these versions elsewhere. There is no information to accompany the music, no dates, no photos, nothing! So i have only really fallen in love with this compilation since i have learned more about the music elsewhere. So not a collection for new comers to Doo Wop perhaps, but no other collection focuses quite so much on the 50s era. This is a really good showcase of the more mellow side of Doo Wop, with classics like Stars Are Out Tonight by The Teardrops, and A Thousand Stars by The Rivileers (magical), so anyone who is more interested in jump blues etc, try 'money honey' on Indigo, or 'golden age of rock n roll, doo wop special edition' on Ace.

Time to grow old gracefully, 03 Nov 2008
Having bought absolutely everything that Dion has released since 1962 it pains me to write anything negative about one of the truly great voices of rock. I've lived with him through pop, blues, rock, folk, God, blues again but this album hots rock bottom. It's just a horrible old fashioned covers album and to pretend that it is some kind of homage to Dion's heroes is just commercial junk. The awful photo's showing him posing "with attitude" actually make him look like an elderly idiot. Grow up you silly old fool and give me back MY HERO.

Still Rockin', 03 Nov 2008
The greatest white singer in the history of rock and roll (in my humble opinion)still cutting the mustard. On the back of 2 great blues orientated albums comes his tribute to guitar heroes. His voice is as good as ever (he'll be 70 next year!) and he attacks these songs with all the fire of a 20-30 year old.The DVD is a real bonus with Dion talking us through each track. Long may he continue to record. Top tracks - Summertime Blues & Believe What You Say.


Tony Williams and friends, 17 Jun 2008
This latest TV advertised set has 20 tracks from the America's first soul group. All the original 50's well known songs are included, except for "You'll Never, Never Know (I Care)". Have they included "You'll Never Know", which is a different tune entirely, by mistake ? However, it's the oddities that make this compilation so intriguing. If you buy the album for Tony Williams smooth lead vocals, you will not be disappointed by the hits and versions of standards like "September In The Rain" and you might even be pleasantly surprised by rare tracks like "I Don't Know Why", presumably with Zola Taylor on lead. Is it a different male lead on "Temptation" and "You've Changed" ? Nevertheless, they are fine cuts. I would have preferred if the version of "Crying In The Chapel" had been omitted and the inclusion of what sounds like a sixties or seventies cut of Ketty Lester's "Love Letters" is very odd. It's just out of place. Still, this is a nice taster of this groups fine musical legacy.


A Satisfied Customer, 04 Jun 2008
I bought this at the request of a friend of my mum's. She lives in a nursing home and has taken an interest in revisiting music of her youth. I've bought several CDs on her behalf but as she and my mum listened to this one she said "It's the best yet". It brought back memories of dancing with her husband when they were both young. She said to mum, "after you go I listen to it again and have a good cry." Her husband had died several years ago.

You'll Never Know (Unless You Listen), 09 Jan 2008
Hmmm...yes, original Platters, great. But if you're buying this for their hit "You'll Never Never Know" - don't. Ignorance and/or carelessness prevail. What you get is their version of the Warren/Gordon standard "You'll Never Know" ("...you'll never know just how much I love you, you'll never know just how much I care," etc). In fairness, it does say "You'll Never Know" on the tracklist. But it's credited to the writers of "You'll Never Never Know" (who cop the royalties), so the compiler evidently intended to include the hit "You'll Never Never Know", not the obscure "You'll Never Know"...though not so obscure now, as the error might get propagated throughout digital infinity.
The original hit version of "You'll Never Never Know" is available on the "Anthology" - but that's expensive. One never knows, do one...

Best of the best of..., 22 Apr 2007
This wonderful "cheap" Spectrum compilation of the authentic 50's
Platters is a real treasure. The absolutely best DooWop group of all
times (with the best black voice ever of Tony Williams) can be found
on this CD with unbeatable quality. More than half of the Platters'
Greatest are in full stereo although we're still in the fifties!!
All the charting hits are there. This is a "must" for all record
collectors!!

The Original Recordings, 01 Apr 2007
These are the original recordings with the great Tony Williams on lead vocals, the cd bears a Spectrum logo which is owned by Universal Music which in turn owns the Platters "Mercury" recordings fron 1955-1961 which is ther classic period, a great cheep cd with all the major recordings, agreat listen from start to end clocking in at 47 mins.

First black vocal group to become major stars, 01 Mar 2005
In the fifties, it was hard for black singers to sell music to white record buyers, but the Platters managed to do just that, thus helping to blaze the trail for the many others that followed. Some of their songs were covers of songs from the thirties and forties, suitably updated for the fifties. Some people mistakenly think of songs such as Smoke gets in your eyes and Harbor lights (both dating from the thirties) as being Platters originals - I was among them for many years.

The Platters were much more successful in America than in Britain, but the few UK hits that they had have left a lasting impression. The great pretender (a 1987 top five UK hit for Freddie Mercury), Smoke gets in your eyes (a 1974 top twenty UK hit for Bryan Ferry) and Only you (a minor hit for several artists down the years) have all charted for other artists since the Platters charted with them in the fifties.

Although this is the first of two volumes, it contains all of their most famous recordings, whether they are originals or covers. Apart from those already mentioned, their other British hits include Twilight time, My praer, You'll never never know, I'm sorry and Remember when. The only one not here is It isn't right - it was the flip side of You'll never never know and you can find it on volume 2.

If you just want a single CD containing their important tracks, this will do. If you enjoy it enough, you can always buy volume 2 later.

Superb R n B, 25 Mar 2006
Great stuff - memorable songs, great group harmonies & Curtis Mayfield on lead! What more could any real soul fan ask for?

Good production, esp. allowing for the age of most of the recordings with some 'message' music that's still topical today.

Stand out tracks include:

Gypsy Woman - slowish but really melodic

I'm The One Who Loves You - more up tempo & catchy as anything

It's Alright - great song, uptempo, positive lyrics, great use of the horns

I'm So Proud - slower pace, very catchy song

Amen - almost gospel like, really catchy chorus

People Get Ready - theres a train coming! Manages to be a message song thats also catchy as hell

Essential purchase full of tunes you'll be humming to yourself for ages!



Mellow Doo Wop Magic, 12 Apr 2007
I have loved Doo Wop since I started collecting 50s Rock n Roll about 6 years ago. Through getting the `R&B hits of 195-` series on Indigo I became particularly attached to the laid back, sometimes mournful, sometimes playful, sometimes risqué style of this kind of music. These may have been the boy bands of the time, but the frisky and powerful deliverance of groups like the Clovers and the Dominoes were considered pretty shocking at the time. That power is slightly lost on this compilation as the sound quality is a bit lacking on the transfer to CD, but this is a cheap compilation so fair enough i suppose. Some tracks (but not many) are not the original (best) versions, for example, the Prisonaires 'walking in the rain', but a collector of rock n roll will find these versions elsewhere. There is no information to accompany the music, no dates, no photos, nothing! So i have only really fallen in love with this compilation since i have learned more about the music elsewhere. So not a collection for new comers to Doo Wop perhaps, but no other collection focuses quite so much on the 50s era. This is a really good showcase of the more mellow side of Doo Wop, with classics like Stars Are Out Tonight by The Teardrops, and A Thousand Stars by The Rivileers (magical), so anyone who is more interested in jump blues etc, try 'money honey' on Indigo, or 'golden age of rock n roll, doo wop special edition' on Ace.

Released from the vaults - at last, 03 Aug 2007
These days we are getting more tracks released from the Motown vaults, albeit on an irregular basis. This is a Fantastic Collection, capitals intended, from a defniite "second tier" group from the Motown roster. Lots of vault material, solos from Saundra Mallett and the Downbeats - the forerunners to the Elgins, and the hits. What more could we ask for - except more like this. If I could give it 6 stars, I would.

Motown Treasure Trove, 13 Jul 2007
The story of how a singer named Saundra Mallett, who had had one Tamla single out in 1962, and a vocal group in the Isley Brothers mould called the Downbeats, who recorded for the same label, joined forces to become a hit combo called the Elgins, is well documented and illustrated on this two-disc anthology, which draws together pretty much everything they recorded, both separately and together.

The Elgins' hit 1965 single Darling Baby provided the title track of their V.I.P. album of the following year, which also included the hits Heaven Must Have Sent You, Put Yourself In My Place and Stay In My Lonely Arms. The entire album, mixed in stereo, is included in full and comprises the first twelve tracks of disc one. Saundra shines on all the lead vocals on the album, apart from 634-5789 and When A Man Loves A Woman on which Johnny Dawson sings lead. It was mostly recorded in 1966, but It's Gonna Be Hard Times dates from 1962, and was the B-side of her solo single on which she was joined by the three Vandellas and Marvin Gaye on piano. Most of the album was produced by Brian Holland and Lamont Dozier, with several original Holland-Dozier-Holland songs from when they were on a huge roll, but one of my favourites is No Time For Tears, which Norman Whitfield produced. The Marvelettes did the great original version of this but that was buried on a B-side, and Saundra here makes it her own.

The original mono singles and their B-sides are also included separately, as well as those by Saundra Mallett and the Downbeats, but the revelation here once again is the quality of the wealth of previously unreleased material. The second disc includes fifteen tracks by the Downbeats, more than enough for a pretty good album, and all but three of these are appearing for the first time (one is a superior alternative mix of a 1962 single). A couple of these may never have been intended for release as they are fairly blatant carbon copies of existing songs: Party Time bears a strong similarity to Pony Time by Chubby Checker, and Let The Groove Roll On is a secular version of Mahalia Jackson's Let The Church Roll On via Chris Kenner's I Like It Like That. Both bring out the gospel fervour of the Downbeats, though, and sound terrific.

Yvonne Vernee Allen took over as lead singer in 1968 but nothing was released from her tenure with the Elgins, until now: there are four excellent examples of her work with the Elgins on disc one, produced by James Dean and William Weatherspoon, and reflecting the Motown sound of the time.

These Motown Anthologies are pure treasure trove and this opens another largely unknown chapter.

Heaven Sent indeed!, 06 Jul 2007
If you've ever listened to that remarkable lead vocal on 'Heaven Must Have Sent You' and wondered who it was and where this group came from, then you simply must buy this fantastic Anthology.
Not only do you get the whole history of this wonderful group but you get to listen to the evolution of 'The Motown Sound'. Saundra Edwards was a young and powerful singer when signed to Motown but she only had one release: 'Camel Walk' which flopped. For the first time now you can listen to the other solo sides she cut at the time. The Downbeats were an all male group whose released 45 'Request Of A Fool' flopped, that's included here, together with other scheduled releases which never appeared. There are some tremendous sides here, all superb examples of that earlier, bluesy Motown sound and many with a great 'doo-wop' feel.
When Saundra joined the group to create The Elgins true Motown Magic was made with the release of 'Put Yourself In My Place' and 'Heaven Must Have Sent You', followed by an excellent album: 'Darling Baby'. If you liked what they released, wait until you hear what they didn't release! Some of the finest and varied Motown sounds of the mid sixties 'Golden Era'. Saundra was eventually replaced by Yvonne Vernee Allen who is still performing today. Included in the anthology are some stunning previously unreleased tracks with Yvonne on lead. There is something for everyone on this terrific release with it's huge variety of vocal styles and recordings from 1962 to 1968. A 2 CD set, with at least half the tracks never heard before, an informative booklet with rare photo's and all tracks fully annotated with recording dates and production credits, means this is a 'must buy' for all true Motown fans.

The Elgins - The Motown Anthology, 03 Jul 2007
A neat little collection from The Elgins,many tracks capturing a 'live' quality, and therefore less processed sound than some of the other great Motown releases from the same era. The group is clearly having fun both with Motown original songs,or with covers of other 60's hits.The versatility of The Elgins is shown to great effect, with both female and male vocalists featured, with performances ranging from doo-wop, pop, soul and rhythm & blues. Unpretentious and effective Motown sound at its best.

MOTOWN'S BEST ANTHOLOGY, 02 Jul 2007
Motown fans will love this superlative collection.

It's interesting to note that, of the twelve album tracks we know so
well, two are NOT Holland & Dozier productions. I knew that Berry
Gordy himself had produced IT'S GONNA BE HARD TIMES but had no idea
that Norman Whitfield produced NO TIME FOR TEARS - a favourite track
of mine.

With the likes of Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye and
Shorty Long composing the previously unreleased material, you don't
even have to hear them to know that the Elgins recorded some very
special songs.

Saundra Edwards has just confirmed my opinion that she was one of the
very best female vocalists Motown ever recorded. The wonderful
Clarence Paul produced three jazzy tracks, I STILL LOVE YOU, ALL FOR
JUST LOVIN' YOU and LET'S GIVE LOVE ANOTHER CHANCE - where Saundra
really shines. She sings a song convincingly, so that you believe every word.

Dean & Weatherspoon's THAT'S THE NIGHT THE LOVE DIED, it says in the
notes, was destined for Jimmy Ruffin, and sounds a little like one of his
released tracks. I just
wish Dean & Weatherspoon had recorded more with the Elgins!

The Stevie Wonder song THANK YOU LOVE has long been one of my
favourites and Saundra makes it her own - absolutely wonderful!

It's great to hear more of Johnny Dawson's lead vocals. he's a fab
singer and he really shines on the cover versions of non-Motown songs
and is perfect on the two Shorty Long produced tracks. Both songs are
expertly handled and treated differently enough to Shorty's originals
to make them great recordings in their own right.

Loving Saundra so much, I've always kind of dreaded having to comment
on Yvonne's stint as lead singer with the Elgins. Of course, I get my
wish here, as Dean & Weatherspoon wrote and/or produced Yvonne's
three tracks. I can imagine these as Velvelettes songs - so it's
interesting to see that LOVE WHERE ARE YOU HIDING was intended for
that group. Well, two of Yvonne's songs are the ones that the
Northern Soul fraternity will be going ape over but, for me, Yvonne
shines best on the third track, the afore-mentioned LOVE WHERE ARE
YOU HIDING, but all three tracks are impressive and a welcome
addition to the Elgins Motown Anthology.

It's amazing to see that each of the Downbeats (Robert Fleming,
Johnny Dawson, Cleotha Miller and Tommy Salisbury) had a hand in
composing some of the material on the second disc of the Elgins
Motown Anthology. It sounds like at least two of the guys sang lead,
so this was a pretty talented and versatile group.

I love the early R&B flavoured Motown recordings and the Downbeats
come up trumps with some real gems. The swinging DON'T YOU KNOW I
LOVE YOU BABY sounds like a classic Marv Johnson type of song, and I
FEEL SO FINE is in the same vein. There are hints of the Contours and
Smokey's Miracles in some of the other recordings too. What a shame
that the rumoured Downbeats album never materialised, as the group
was that good, that it may have led to a long career for the guys.

THEY SAY YOU DON'T CARE is a step nearer the classic Motown sound and
is a polished affair. Of course the previously unleashed YOU SAY YOU
LOVE ME and DO YOU KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT should have been
gigantic hits and the finger-snapping latter song ought to be a dance-
floor anthem by now.

The power of Saundra's early solo sides is remarkable. Her take on
Marvin Gaye & Mary Wells' ALL I GOT compares favourably with that
classic. It's the sheer gutsiness of her singing on BOO HOO (YOU GOT
ME CRYIN' OVER YOU) and FIRST TRY AT LOVE that must have ear-marked
her as a force of nature and a talent to be nurtured. I dread to
think how young she must have been then, for she sounds like a
seasoned soul singer. Incredible!

Having the 45 mono versions of the Elgins tracks is a most welcome
bonus and a perfect end to, perhaps, my favourtie Motown two-fer.

Seeing an abundance of Elgins photographs is a treat too. I
especially like the four photos taken at the same session, with
Saundra holding a microphone, and looking demure in her pink frock,
and the guys looking young and smart in matching suits.

Thanks to everyone involved in getting these excellent recordings out
to the fans.

Time to grow old gracefully, 03 Nov 2008
Having bought absolutely everything that Dion has released since 1962 it pains me to write anything negative about one of the truly great voices of rock. I've lived with him through pop, blues, rock, folk, God, blues again but this album hots rock bottom. It's just a horrible old fashioned covers album and to pretend that it is some kind of homage to Dion's heroes is just commercial junk. The awful photo's showing him posing "with attitude" actually make him look like an elderly idiot. Grow up you silly old fool and give me back MY HERO.

Still Rockin', 03 Nov 2008
The greatest white singer in the history of rock and roll (in my humble opinion)still cutting the mustard. On the back of 2 great blues orientated albums comes his tribute to guitar heroes. His voice is as good as ever (he'll be 70 next year!) and he attacks these songs with all the fire of a 20-30 year old.The DVD is a real bonus with Dion talking us through each track. Long may he continue to record. Top tracks - Summertime Blues & Believe What You Say.


Tony Williams and friends, 17 Jun 2008
This latest TV advertised set has 20 tracks from the America's first soul group. All the original 50's well known songs are included, except for "You'll Never, Never Know (I Care)". Have they included "You'll Never Know", which is a different tune entirely, by mistake ? However, it's the oddities that make this compilation so intriguing. If you buy the album for Tony Williams smooth lead vocals, you will not be disappointed by the hits and versions of standards like "September In The Rain" and you might even be pleasantly surprised by rare tracks like "I Don't Know Why", presumably with Zola Taylor on lead. Is it a different male lead on "Temptation" and "You've Changed" ? Nevertheless, they are fine cuts. I would have preferred if the version of "Crying In The Chapel" had been omitted and the inclusion of what sounds like a sixties or seventies cut of Ketty Lester's "Love Letters" is very odd. It's just out of place. Still, this is a nice taster of this groups fine musical legacy.


A Satisfied Customer, 04 Jun 2008
I bought this at the request of a friend of my mum's. She lives in a nursing home and has taken an interest in revisiting music of her youth. I've bought several CDs on her behalf but as she and my mum listened to this one she said "It's the best yet". It brought back memories of dancing with her husband when they were both young. She said to mum, "after you go I listen to it again and have a good cry." Her husband had died several years ago.

You'll Never Know (Unless You Listen), 09 Jan 2008
Hmmm...yes, original Platters, great. But if you're buying this for their hit "You'll Never Never Know" - don't. Ignorance and/or carelessness prevail. What you get is their version of the Warren/Gordon standard "You'll Never Know" ("...you'll never know just how much I love you, you'll never know just how much I care," etc). In fairness, it does say "You'll Never Know" on the tracklist. But it's credited to the writers of "You'll Never Never Know" (who cop the royalties), so the compiler evidently intended to include the hit "You'll Never Never Know", not the obscure "You'll Never Know"...though not so obscure now, as the error might get propagated throughout digital infinity.
The original hit version of "You'll Never Never Know" is available on the "Anthology" - but that's expensive. One never knows, do one...

Best of the best of..., 22 Apr 2007
This wonderful "cheap" Spectrum compilation of the authentic 50's
Platters is a real treasure. The absolutely best DooWop group of all
times (with the best black voice ever of Tony Williams) can be found
on this CD with unbeatable quality. More than half of the Platters'
Greatest are in full stereo although we're still in the fifties!!
All the charting hits are there. This is a "must" for all record
collectors!!

The Original Recordings, 01 Apr 2007
These are the original recordings with the great Tony Williams on lead vocals, the cd bears a Spectrum logo which is owned by Universal Music which in turn owns the Platters "Mercury" recordings fron 1955-1961 which is ther classic period, a great cheep cd with all the major recordings, agreat listen from start to end clocking in at 47 mins.

First black vocal group to become major stars, 01 Mar 2005
In the fifties, it was hard for black singers to sell music to white record buyers, but the Platters managed to do just that, thus helping to blaze the trail for the many others that followed. Some of their songs were covers of songs from the thirties and forties, suitably updated for the fifties. Some people mistakenly think of songs such as Smoke gets in your eyes and Harbor lights (both dating from the thirties) as being Platters originals - I was among them for many years.

The Platters were much more successful in America than in Britain, but the few UK hits that they had have left a lasting impression. The great pretender (a 1987 top five UK hit for Freddie Mercury), Smoke gets in your eyes (a 1974 top twenty UK hit for Bryan Ferry) and Only you (a minor hit for several artists down the years) have all charted for other artists since the Platters charted with them in the fifties.

Although this is the first of two volumes, it contains all of their most famous recordings, whether they are originals or covers. Apart from those already mentioned, their other British hits include Twilight time, My praer, You'll never never know, I'm sorry and Remember when. The only one not here is It isn't right - it was the flip side of You'll never never know and you can find it on volume 2.

If you just want a single CD containing their important tracks, this will do. If you enjoy it enough, you can always buy volume 2 later.

Superb R n B, 25 Mar 2006
Great stuff - memorable songs, great group harmonies & Curtis Mayfield on lead! What more could any real soul fan ask for?

Good production, esp. allowing for the age of most of the recordings with some 'message' music that's still topical today.

Stand out tracks include:

Gypsy Woman - slowish but really melodic

I'm The One Who Loves You - more up tempo & catchy as anything

It's Alright - great song, uptempo, positive lyrics, great use of the horns

I'm So Proud - slower pace, very catchy song

Amen - almost gospel like, really catchy chorus

People Get Ready - theres a train coming! Manages to be a message song thats also catchy as hell

Essential purchase full of tunes you'll be humming to yourself for ages!



Mellow Doo Wop Magic, 12 Apr 2007
I have loved Doo Wop since I started collecting 50s Rock n Roll about 6 years ago. Through getting the `R&B hits of 195-` series on Indigo I became particularly attached to the laid back, sometimes mournful, sometimes playful, sometimes risqué style of this kind of music. These may have been the boy bands of the time, but the frisky and powerful deliverance of groups like the Clovers and the Dominoes were considered pretty shocking at the time. That power is slightly lost on this compilation as the sound quality is a bit lacking on the transfer to CD, but this is a cheap compilation so fair enough i suppose. Some tracks (but not many) are not the original (best) versions, for example, the Prisonaires 'walking in the rain', but a collector of rock n roll will find these versions elsewhere. There is no information to accompany the music, no dates, no photos, nothing! So i have only really fallen in love with this compilation since i have learned more about the music elsewhere. So not a collection for new comers to Doo Wop perhaps, but no other collection focuses quite so much on the 50s era. This is a really good showcase of the more mellow side of Doo Wop, with classics like Stars Are Out Tonight by The Teardrops, and A Thousand Stars by The Rivileers (magical), so anyone who is more interested in jump blues etc, try 'money honey' on Indigo, or 'golden age of rock n roll, doo wop special edition' on Ace.

Released from the vaults - at last, 03 Aug 2007
These days we are getting more tracks released from the Motown vaults, albeit on an irregular basis. This is a Fantastic Collection, capitals intended, from a defniite "second tier" group from the Motown roster. Lots of vault material, solos from Saundra Mallett and the Downbeats - the forerunners to the Elgins, and the hits. What more could we ask for - except more like this. If I could give it 6 stars, I would.

Motown Treasure Trove, 13 Jul 2007
The story of how a singer named Saundra Mallett, who had had one Tamla single out in 1962, and a vocal group in the Isley Brothers mould called the Downbeats, who recorded for the same label, joined forces to become a hit combo called the Elgins, is well documented and illustrated on this two-disc anthology, which draws together pretty much everything they recorded, both separately and together.

The Elgins' hit 1965 single Darling Baby provided the title track of their V.I.P. album of the following year, which also included the hits Heaven Must Have Sent You, Put Yourself In My Place and Stay In My Lonely Arms. The entire album, mixed in stereo, is included in full and comprises the first twelve tracks of disc one. Saundra shines on all the lead vocals on the album, apart from 634-5789 and When A Man Loves A Woman on which Johnny Dawson sings lead. It was mostly recorded in 1966, but It's Gonna Be Hard Times dates from 1962, and was the B-side of her solo single on which she was joined by the three Vandellas and Marvin Gaye on piano. Most of the album was produced by Brian Holland and Lamont Dozier, with several original Holland-Dozier-Holland songs from when they were on a huge roll, but one of my favourites is No Time For Tears, which Norman Whitfield produced. The Marvelettes did the great original version of this but that was buried on a B-side, and Saundra here makes it her own.

The original mono singles and their B-sides are also included separately, as well as those by Saundra Mallett and the Downbeats, but the revelation here once again is the quality of the wealth of previously unreleased material. The second disc includes fifteen tracks by the Downbeats, more than enough for a pretty good album, and all but three of these are appearing for the first time (one is a superior alternative mix of a 1962 single). A couple of these may never have been intended for release as they are fairly blatant carbon copies of existing songs: Party Time bears a strong similarity to Pony Time by Chubby Checker, and Let The Groove Roll On is a secular version of Mahalia Jackson's Let The Church Roll On via Chris Kenner's I Like It Like That. Both bring out the gospel fervour of the Downbeats, though, and sound terrific.

Yvonne Vernee Allen took over as lead singer in 1968 but nothing was released from her tenure with the Elgins, until now: there are four excellent examples of her work with the Elgins on disc one, produced by James Dean and William Weatherspoon, and reflecting the Motown sound of the time.

These Motown Anthologies are pure treasure trove and this opens another largely unknown chapter.

Heaven Sent indeed!, 06 Jul 2007
If you've ever listened to that remarkable lead vocal on 'Heaven Must Have Sent You' and wondered who it was and where this group came from, then you simply must buy this fantastic Anthology.
Not only do you get the whole history of this wonderful group but you get to listen to the evolution of 'The Motown Sound'. Saundra Edwards was a young and powerful singer when signed to Motown but she only had one release: 'Camel Walk' which flopped. For the first time now you can listen to the other solo sides she cut at the time. The Downbeats were an all male group whose released 45 'Request Of A Fool' flopped, that's included here, together with other scheduled releases which never appeared. There are some tremendous sides here, all superb examples of that earlier, bluesy Motown sound and many with a great 'doo-wop' feel.
When Saundra joined the group to create The Elgins true Motown Magic was made with the release of 'Put Yourself In My Place' and 'Heaven Must Have Sent You', followed by an excellent album: 'Darling Baby'. If you liked what they released, wait until you hear what they didn't release! Some of the finest and varied Motown sounds of the mid sixties 'Golden Era'. Saundra was eventually replaced by Yvonne Vernee Allen who is still performing today. Included in the anthology are some stunning previously unreleased tracks with Yvonne on lead. There is something for everyone on this terrific release with it's huge variety of vocal styles and recordings from 1962 to 1968. A 2 CD set, with at least half the tracks never heard before, an informative booklet with rare photo's and all tracks fully annotated with recording dates and production credits, means this is a 'must buy' for all true Motown fans.

The Elgins - The Motown Anthology, 03 Jul 2007
A neat little collection from The Elgins,many tracks capturing a 'live' quality, and therefore less processed sound than some of the other great Motown releases from the same era. The group is clearly having fun both with Motown original songs,or with covers of other 60's hits.The versatility of The Elgins is shown to great effect, with both female and male vocalists featured, with performances ranging from doo-wop, pop, soul and rhythm & blues. Unpretentious and effective Motown sound at its best.

MOTOWN'S BEST ANTHOLOGY, 02 Jul 2007
Motown fans will love this superlative collection.

It's interesting to note that, of the twelve album tracks we know so
well, two are NOT Holland & Dozier productions. I knew that Berry
Gordy himself had produced IT'S GONNA BE HARD TIMES but had no idea
that Norman Whitfield produced NO TIME FOR TEARS - a favourite track
of mine.

With the likes of Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye and
Shorty Long composing the previously unreleased material, you don't
even have to hear them to know that the Elgins recorded some very
special songs.

Saundra Edwards has just confirmed my opinion that she was one of the
very best female vocalists Motown ever recorded. The wonderful
Clarence Paul produced three jazzy tracks, I STILL LOVE YOU, ALL FOR
JUST LOVIN' YOU and LET'S GIVE LOVE ANOTHER CHANCE - where Saundra
really shines. She sings a song convincingly, so that you believe every word.

Dean & Weatherspoon's THAT'S THE NIGHT THE LOVE DIED, it says in the
notes, was destined for Jimmy Ruffin, and sounds a little like one of his
released tracks. I just
wish Dean & Weatherspoon had recorded more with the Elgins!

The Stevie Wonder song THANK YOU LOVE has long been one of my
favourites and Saundra makes it her own - absolutely wonderful!

It's great to hear more of Johnny Dawson's lead vocals. he's a fab
singer and he really shines on the cover versions of non-Motown songs
and is perfect on the two Shorty Long produced tracks. Both songs are
expertly handled and treated differently enough to Shorty's originals
to make them great recordings in their own right.

Loving Saundra so much, I've always kind of dreaded having to comment
on Yvonne's stint as lead singer with the Elgins. Of course, I get my
wish here, as Dean & Weatherspoon wrote and/or produced Yvonne's
three tracks. I can imagine these as Velvelettes songs - so it's
interesting to see that LOVE WHERE ARE YOU HIDING was intended for
that group. Well, two of Yvonne's songs are the ones that the
Northern Soul fraternity will be going ape over but, for me, Yvonne
shines best on the third track, the afore-mentioned LOVE WHERE ARE
YOU HIDING, but all three tracks are impressive and a welcome
addition to the Elgins Motown Anthology.

It's amazing to see that each of the Downbeats (Robert Fleming,
Johnny Dawson, Cleotha Miller and Tommy Salisbury) had a hand in
composing some of the material on the second disc of the Elgins
Motown Anthology. It sounds like at least two of the guys sang lead,
so this was a pretty talented and versatile group.

I love the early R&B flavoured Motown recordings and the Downbeats
come up trumps with some real gems. The swinging DON'T YOU KNOW I
LOVE YOU BABY sounds like a classic Marv Johnson type of song, and I
FEEL SO FINE is in the same vein. There are hints of the Contours and
Smokey's Miracles in some of the other recordings too. What a shame
that the rumoured Downbeats album never materialised, as the group
was that good, that it may have led to a long career for the guys.

THEY SAY YOU DON'T CARE is a step nearer the classic Motown sound and
is a polished affair. Of course the previously unleashed YOU SAY YOU
LOVE ME and DO YOU KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT should have been
gigantic hits and the finger-snapping latter song ought to be a dance-
floor anthem by now.

The power of Saundra's early solo sides is remarkable. Her take on
Marvin Gaye & Mary Wells' ALL I GOT compares favourably with that
classic. It's the sheer gutsiness of her singing on BOO HOO (YOU GOT
ME CRYIN' OVER YOU) and FIRST TRY AT LOVE that must have ear-marked
her as a force of nature and a talent to be nurtured. I dread to
think how young she must have been then, for she sounds like a
seasoned soul singer. Incredible!

Having the 45 mono versions of the Elgins tracks is a most welcome
bonus and a perfect end to, perhaps, my favourtie Motown two-fer.

Seeing an abundance of Elgins photographs is a treat too. I
especially like the four photos taken at the same session, with
Saundra holding a microphone, and looking demure in her pink frock,
and the guys looking young and smart in matching suits.

Thanks to everyone involved in getting these excellent recordings out
to the fans.


Spector and a guest singer, 26 Feb 2008
I read great things about 'Born To Be With You' and, in truth, this is Phil Spector's triumph rather than Dion's, ironic given the large as life promotion of the singer on the cover. Dion shows what a good voice he has, but it's the updated 'wall of sound' that catches the attention. I would comment too that in all of this, the songs themselves seem to have been forgotten. The title track is an over-reverential take on an old song. Dave Edmunds also recorded this at around the same time. He was going through his Spector imitation phase, and while his brand was inferior, he made a better version because he didn't forget the power of the song as it was intended to be performed.

'Make The Woman Love Me' is a much better recording, but the remaining songs are generally propped up by the quality of the production. 'The Whole World In His Hands,' a one-line song with a few 'yeah he does' ad-libs, is a waste of Dion's talent. As for 'Streetheart,' it's a highly-polished, well-executed album, and pretty bland. This disc will not change your life.

THE MAGIC TOUCH, 08 Aug 2007
Spector is best known - and rightly so - for his collaborations with early sixties girl groups, as well as with acts like Ike and Tina Turner and the Righteous Brothers. Crystals songs 'Then he kissed me' and 'Da do ron ron', and the Ronettes' 'Be my baby' are all part of the great rock lineage which continued on through to the great Springsteen albums of the 70s. But this is as good as anything Spector did back then. I recall hearing the title track about five years ago and being overwhelmed by the sheer beauty and richness of it. It remains one of my all-time favourite songs and the rest of the album doesn't fall far short of the openers' greatness, while 'Queen of 59' is a belter too. There are many albums that are categorised as 'must have' or 'critically acclaimed' - this is one of them and it justifies the hype.

Long neglected gem, 10 Jan 2007
Beloved of Pete Townshend, Jason Pierce and Bobby Gillespie, Dion's brilliant 1975 collaboration with Phil Spector still astonishes today.

The majestic title track is a fitting opening to an album in which Dion's peerless vocals are matched to perfect effect with Spector's typically inventive orchestration. That said, none of the tracks suffer in comparison.

Interestingly, Dion seems to have had over the years - at best - an ambivalent relationship with the record. As a review I read years ago observed: "Imagine if you made the best record of your career, in collaboration with one of your heroes, and it was released only abroad...What if it was one of the greatest albums ever made, but you didn't even realise it?"

Probably my favourite album of all time - well worth giving it a try if you're up for hearing a long-forgotten part of rock history.

SUBLIME SPECTOR, 25 Oct 2004
Nothing to add to the other review really, simply showing solidarity! The title track 'Born to be with you' is amongst Spector's finest work, but is practically unknown beside the likes of The Ronettes, The Crystals and The Righteous Brothers. The rest of the album ain't too bad either, so give yourself a treat and purchase this now. Whilst you're at it, pick up a copy of 'Johnny, baby please come home' by Darlene Love, Spector's other forgotten masterpiece. Mad as a hatter he may be, but Phil is one of the few true giants of pop history.

Beautiful and Strange, 09 Mar 2001
Forget "STREET HEART" and just wallow in the unbelievably soulful production of Phil Spector and "BORN TO BE WITH YOU". And, of course, Dion's voice. It really hits straight to your soul like prime Scott Walker or Dennis Wilson. This is a truly timeless record: the drums sound like depth charges, just like this was The Ronettes, but Dion and the production are otherworldly. Even the version of "He's Got The Whole World In His Hand" sounds like Godlike.

Time to grow old gracefully, 03 Nov 2008
Having bought absolutely everything that Dion has released since 1962 it pains me to write anything negative about one of the truly great voices of rock. I've lived with him through pop, blues, rock, folk, God, blues again but this album hots rock bottom. It's just a horrible old fashioned covers album and to pretend that it is some kind of homage to Dion's heroes is just commercial junk. The awful photo's showing him posing "with attitude" actually make him look like an elderly idiot. Grow up you silly old fool and give me back MY HERO.

Still Rockin', 03 Nov 2008
The greatest white singer in the history of rock and roll (in my humble opinion)still cutting the mustard. On the back of 2 great blues orientated albums comes his tribute to guitar heroes. His voice is as good as ever (he'll be 70 next year!) and he attacks these songs with all the fire of a 20-30 year old.The DVD is a real bonus with Dion talking us through each track. Long may he continue to record. Top tracks - Summertime Blues & Believe What You Say.


Tony Williams and friends, 17 Jun 2008
This latest TV advertised set has 20 tracks from the America's first soul group. All the original 50's well known songs are included, except for "You'll Never, Never Know (I Care)". Have they included "You'll Never Know", which is a different tune entirely, by mistake ? However, it's the oddities that make this compilation so intriguing. If you buy the album for Tony Williams smooth lead vocals, you will not be disappointed by the hits and versions of standards like "September In The Rain" and you might even be pleasantly surprised by rare tracks like "I Don't Know Why", presumably with Zola Taylor on lead. Is it a different male lead on "Temptation" and "You've Changed" ? Nevertheless, they are fine cuts. I would have preferred if the version of "Crying In The Chapel" had been omitted and the inclusion of what sounds like a sixties or seventies cut of Ketty Lester's "Love Letters" is very odd. It's just out of place. Still, this is a nice taster of this groups fine musical legacy.


A Satisfied Customer, 04 Jun 2008
I bought this at the request of a friend of my mum's. She lives in a nursing home and has taken an interest in revisiting music of her youth. I've bought several CDs on her behalf but as she and my mum listened to this one she said "It's the best yet". It brought back memories of dancing with her husband when they were both young. She said to mum, "after you go I listen to it again and have a good cry." Her husband had died several years ago.

You'll Never Know (Unless You Listen), 09 Jan 2008
Hmmm...yes, original Platters, great. But if you're buying this for their hit "You'll Never Never Know" - don't. Ignorance and/or carelessness prevail. What you get is their version of the Warren/Gordon standard "You'll Never Know" ("...you'll never know just how much I love you, you'll never know just how much I care," etc). In fairness, it does say "You'll Never Know" on the tracklist. But it's credited to the writers of "You'll Never Never Know" (who cop the royalties), so the compiler evidently intended to include the hit "You'll Never Never Know", not the obscure "You'll Never Know"...though not so obscure now, as the error might get propagated throughout digital infinity.
The original hit version of "You'll Never Never Know" is available on the "Anthology" - but that's expensive. One never knows, do one...

Best of the best of..., 22 Apr 2007
This wonderful "cheap" Spectrum compilation of the authentic 50's
Platters is a real treasure. The absolutely best DooWop group of all
times (with the best black voice ever of Tony Williams) can be found
on this CD with unbeatable quality. More than half of the Platters'
Greatest are in full stereo although we're still in the fifties!!
All the charting hits are there. This is a "must" for all record
collectors!!

The Original Recordings, 01 Apr 2007
These are the original recordings with the great Tony Williams on lead vocals, the cd bears a Spectrum logo which is owned by Universal Music which in turn owns the Platters "Mercury" recordings fron 1955-1961 which is ther classic period, a great cheep cd with all the major recordings, agreat listen from start to end clocking in at 47 mins.

First black vocal group to become major stars, 01 Mar 2005
In the fifties, it was hard for black singers to sell music to white record buyers, but the Platters managed to do just that, thus helping to blaze the trail for the many others that followed. Some of their songs were covers of songs from the thirties and forties, suitably updated for the fifties. Some people mistakenly think of songs such as Smoke gets in your eyes and Harbor lights (both dating from the thirties) as being Platters originals - I was among them for many years.

The Platters were much more successful in America than in Britain, but the few UK hits that they had have left a lasting impression. The great pretender (a 1987 top five UK hit for Freddie Mercury), Smoke gets in your eyes (a 1974 top twenty UK hit for Bryan Ferry) and Only you (a minor hit for several artists down the years) have all charted for other artists since the Platters charted with them in the fifties.

Although this is the first of two volumes, it contains all of their most famous recordings, whether they are originals or covers. Apart from those already mentioned, their other British hits include Twilight time, My praer, You'll never never know, I'm sorry and Remember when. The only one not here is It isn't right - it was the flip side of You'll never never know and you can find it on volume 2.

If you just want a single CD containing their important tracks, this will do. If you enjoy it enough, you can always buy volume 2 later.

Superb R n B, 25 Mar 2006
Great stuff - memorable songs, great group harmonies & Curtis Mayfield on lead! What more could any real soul fan ask for?

Good production, esp. allowing for the age of most of the recordings with some 'message' music that's still topical today.

Stand out tracks include:

Gypsy Woman - slowish but really melodic

I'm The One Who Loves You - more up tempo & catchy as anything

It's Alright - great song, uptempo, positive lyrics, great use of the horns

I'm So Proud - slower pace, very catchy song

Amen - almost gospel like, really catchy chorus

People Get Ready - theres a train coming! Manages to be a message song thats also catchy as hell

Essential purchase full of tunes you'll be humming to yourself for ages!



Mellow Doo Wop Magic, 12 Apr 2007
I have loved Doo Wop since I started collecting 50s Rock n Roll about 6 years ago. Through getting the `R&B hits of 195-` series on Indigo I became particularly attached to the laid back, sometimes mournful, sometimes playful, sometimes risqué style of this kind of music. These may have been the boy bands of the time, but the frisky and powerful deliverance of groups like the Clovers and the Dominoes were considered pretty shocking at the time. That power is slightly lost on this compilation as the sound quality is a bit lacking on the transfer to CD, but this is a cheap compilation so fair enough i suppose. Some tracks (but not many) are not the original (best) versions, for example, the Prisonaires 'walking in the rain', but a collector of rock n roll will find these versions elsewhere. There is no information to accompany the music, no dates, no photos, nothing! So i have only really fallen in love with this compilation since i have learned more about the music elsewhere. So not a collection for new comers to Doo Wop perhaps, but no other collection focuses quite so much on the 50s era. This is a really good showcase of the more mellow side of Doo Wop, with classics like Stars Are Out Tonight by The Teardrops, and A Thousand Stars by The Rivileers (magical), so anyone who is more interested in jump blues etc, try 'money honey' on Indigo, or 'golden age of rock n roll, doo wop special edition' on Ace.

Released from the vaults - at last, 03 Aug 2007
These days we are getting more tracks released from the Motown vaults, albeit on an irregular basis. This is a Fantastic Collection, capitals intended, from a defniite "second tier" group from the Motown roster. Lots of vault material, solos from Saundra Mallett and the Downbeats - the forerunners to the Elgins, and the hits. What more could we ask for - except more like this. If I could give it 6 stars, I would.

Motown Treasure Trove, 13 Jul 2007
The story of how a singer named Saundra Mallett, who had had one Tamla single out in 1962, and a vocal group in the Isley Brothers mould called the Downbeats, who recorded for the same label, joined forces to become a hit combo called the Elgins, is well documented and illustrated on this two-disc anthology, which draws together pretty much everything they recorded, both separately and together.

The Elgins' hit 1965 single Darling Baby provided the title track of their V.I.P. album of the following year, which also included the hits Heaven Must Have Sent You, Put Yourself In My Place and Stay In My Lonely Arms. The entire album, mixed in stereo, is included in full and comprises the first twelve tracks of disc one. Saundra shines on all the lead vocals on the album, apart from 634-5789 and When A Man Loves A Woman on which Johnny Dawson sings lead. It was mostly recorded in 1966, but It's Gonna Be Hard Times dates from 1962, and was the B-side of her solo single on which she was joined by the three Vandellas and Marvin Gaye on piano. Most of the album was produced by Brian Holland and Lamont Dozier, with several original Holland-Dozier-Holland songs from when they were on a huge roll, but one of my favourites is No Time For Tears, which Norman Whitfield produced. The Marvelettes did the great original version of this but that was buried on a B-side, and Saundra here makes it her own.

The original mono singles and their B-sides are also included separately, as well as those by Saundra Mallett and the Downbeats, but the revelation here once again is the quality of the wealth of previously unreleased material. The second disc includes fifteen tracks by the Downbeats, more than enough for a pretty good album, and all but three of these are appearing for the first time (one is a superior alternative mix of a 1962 single). A couple of these may never have been intended for release as they are fairly blatant carbon copies of existing songs: Party Time bears a strong similarity to Pony Time by Chubby Checker, and Let The Groove Roll On is a secular version of Mahalia Jackson's Let The Church Roll On via Chris Kenner's I Like It Like That. Both bring out the gospel fervour of the Downbeats, though, and sound terrific.

Yvonne Vernee Allen took over as lead singer in 1968 but nothing was released from her tenure with the Elgins, until now: there are four excellent examples of her work with the Elgins on disc one, produced by James Dean and William Weatherspoon, and reflecting the Motown sound of the time.

These Motown Anthologies are pure treasure trove and this opens another largely unknown chapter.

Heaven Sent indeed!, 06 Jul 2007
If you've ever listened to that remarkable lead vocal on 'Heaven Must Have Sent You' and wondered who it was and where this group came from, then you simply must buy this fantastic Anthology.
Not only do you get the whole history of this wonderful group but you get to listen to the evolution of 'The Motown Sound'. Saundra Edwards was a young and powerful singer when signed to Motown but she only had one release: 'Camel Walk' which flopped. For the first time now you can listen to the other solo sides she cut at the time. The Downbeats were an all male group whose released 45 'Request Of A Fool' flopped, that's included here, together with other scheduled releases which never appeared. There are some tremendous sides here, all superb examples of that earlier, bluesy Motown sound and many with a great 'doo-wop' feel.
When Saundra joined the group to create The Elgins true Motown Magic was made with the release of 'Put Yourself In My Place' and 'Heaven Must Have Sent You', followed by an excellent album: 'Darling Baby'. If you liked what they released, wait until you hear what they didn't release! Some of the finest and varied Motown sounds of the mid sixties 'Golden Era'. Saundra was eventually replaced by Yvonne Vernee Allen who is still performing today. Included in the anthology are some stunning previously unreleased tracks with Yvonne on lead. There is something for everyone on this terrific release with it's huge variety of vocal styles and recordings from 1962 to 1968. A 2 CD set, with at least half the tracks never heard before, an informative booklet with rare photo's and all tracks fully annotated with recording dates and production credits, means this is a 'must buy' for all true Motown fans.

The Elgins - The Motown Anthology, 03 Jul 2007
A neat little collection from The Elgins,many tracks capturing a 'live' quality, and therefore less processed sound than some of the other great Motown releases from the same era. The group is clearly having fun both with Motown original songs,or with covers of other 60's hits.The versatility of The Elgins is shown to great effect, with both female and male vocalists featured, with performances ranging from doo-wop, pop, soul and rhythm & blues. Unpretentious and effective Motown sound at its best.

MOTOWN'S BEST ANTHOLOGY, 02 Jul 2007
Motown fans will love this superlative collection.

It's interesting to note that, of the twelve album tracks we know so
well, two are NOT Holland & Dozier productions. I knew that Berry
Gordy himself had produced IT'S GONNA BE HARD TIMES but had no idea
that Norman Whitfield produced NO TIME FOR TEARS - a favourite track
of mine.

With the likes of Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye and
Shorty Long composing the previously unreleased material, you don't
even have to hear them to know that the Elgins recorded some very
special songs.

Saundra Edwards has just confirmed my opinion that she was one of the
very best female vocalists Motown ever recorded. The wonderful
Clarence Paul produced three jazzy tracks, I STILL LOVE YOU, ALL FOR
JUST LOVIN' YOU and LET'S GIVE LOVE ANOTHER CHANCE - where Saundra
really shines. She sings a song convincingly, so that you believe every word.

Dean & Weatherspoon's THAT'S THE NIGHT THE LOVE DIED, it says in the
notes, was destined for Jimmy Ruffin, and sounds a little like one of his
released tracks. I just
wish Dean & Weatherspoon had recorded more with the Elgins!

The Stevie Wonder song THANK YOU LOVE has long been one of my
favourites and Saundra makes it her own - absolutely wonderful!

It's great to hear more of Johnny Dawson's lead vocals. he's a fab
singer and he really shines on the cover versions of non-Motown songs
and is perfect on the two Shorty Long produced tracks. Both songs are
expertly handled and treated differently enough to Shorty's originals
to make them great recordings in their own right.

Loving Saundra so much, I've always kind of dreaded having to comment
on Yvonne's stint as lead singer with the Elgins. Of course, I get my
wish here, as Dean & Weatherspoon wrote and/or produced Yvonne's
three tracks. I can imagine these as Velvelettes songs - so it's
interesting to see that LOVE WHERE ARE YOU HIDING was intended for
that group. Well, two of Yvonne's songs are the ones that the
Northern Soul fraternity will be going ape over but, for me, Yvonne
shines best on the third track, the afore-mentioned LOVE WHERE ARE
YOU HIDING, but all three tracks are impressive and a welcome
addition to the Elgins Motown Anthology.

It's amazing to see that each of the Downbeats (Robert Fleming,
Johnny Dawson, Cleotha Miller and Tommy Salisbury) had a hand in
composing some of the material on the second disc of the Elgins
Motown Anthology. It sounds like at least two of the guys sang lead,
so this was a pretty talented and versatile group.

I love the early R&B flavoured Motown recordings and the Downbeats
come up trumps with some real gems. The swinging DON'T YOU KNOW I
LOVE YOU BABY sounds like a classic Marv Johnson type of song, and I
FEEL SO FINE is in the same vein. There are hints of the Contours and
Smokey's Miracles in some of the other recordings too. What a shame
that the rumoured Downbeats album never materialised, as the group
was that good, that it may have led to a long career for the guys.

THEY SAY YOU DON'T CARE is a step nearer the classic Motown sound and
is a polished affair. Of course the previously unleashed YOU SAY YOU
LOVE ME and DO YOU KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT should have been
gigantic hits and the finger-snapping latter song ought to be a dance-
floor anthem by now.

The power of Saundra's early solo sides is remarkable. Her take on
Marvin Gaye & Mary Wells' ALL I GOT compares favourably with that
classic. It's the sheer gutsiness of her singing on BOO HOO (YOU GOT
ME CRYIN' OVER YOU) and FIRST TRY AT LOVE that must have ear-marked
her as a force of nature and a talent to be nurtured. I dread to
think how young she must have been then, for she sounds like a
seasoned soul singer. Incredible!

Having the 45 mono versions of the Elgins tracks is a most welcome
bonus and a perfect end to, perhaps, my favourtie Motown two-fer.

Seeing an abundance of Elgins photographs is a treat too. I
especially like the four photos taken at the same session, with
Saundra holding a microphone, and looking demure in her pink frock,
and the guys looking young and smart in matching suits.

Thanks to everyone involved in getting these excellent recordings out
to the fans.


Spector and a guest singer, 26 Feb 2008
I read great things about 'Born To Be With You' and, in truth, this is Phil Spector's triumph rather than Dion's, ironic given the large as life promotion of the singer on the cover. Dion shows what a good voice he has, but it's the updated 'wall of sound' that catches the attention. I would comment too that in all of this, the songs themselves seem to have been forgotten. The title track is an over-reverential take on an old song. Dave Edmunds also recorded this at around the same time. He was going through his Spector imitation phase, and while his brand was inferior, he made a better version because he didn't forget the power of the song as it was intended to be performed.

'Make The Woman Love Me' is a much better recording, but the remaining songs are generally propped up by the quality of the production. 'The Whole World In His Hands,' a one-line song with a few 'yeah he does' ad-libs, is a waste of Dion's talent. As for 'Streetheart,' it's a highly-polished, well-executed album, and pretty bland. This disc will not change your life.

THE MAGIC TOUCH, 08 Aug 2007
Spector is best known - and rightly so - for his collaborations with early sixties girl groups, as well as with acts like Ike and Tina Turner and the Righteous Brothers. Crystals songs 'Then he kissed me' and 'Da do ron ron', and the Ronettes' 'Be my baby' are all part of the great rock lineage which continued on through to the great Springsteen albums of the 70s. But this is as good as anything Spector did back then. I recall hearing the title track about five years ago and being overwhelmed by the sheer beauty and richness of it. It remains one of my all-time favourite songs and the rest of the album doesn't fall far short of the openers' greatness, while 'Queen of 59' is a belter too. There are many albums that are categorised as 'must have' or 'critically acclaimed' - this is one of them and it justifies the hype.

Long neglected gem, 10 Jan 2007
Beloved of Pete Townshend, Jason Pierce and Bobby Gillespie, Dion's brilliant 1975 collaboration with Phil Spector still astonishes today.

The majestic title track is a fitting opening to an album in which Dion's peerless vocals are matched to perfect effect with Spector's typically inventive orchestration. That said, none of the tracks suffer in comparison.

Interestingly, Dion seems to have had over the years - at best - an ambivalent relationship with the record. As a review I read years ago observed: "Imagine if you made the best record of your career, in collaboration with one of your heroes, and it was released only abroad...What if it was one of the greatest albums ever made, but you didn't even realise it?"

Probably my favourite album of all time - well worth giving it a try if you're up for hearing a long-forgotten part of rock history.

SUBLIME SPECTOR, 25 Oct 2004
Nothing to add to the other review really, simply showing solidarity! The title track 'Born to be with you' is amongst Spector's finest work, but is practically unknown beside the likes of The Ronettes, The Crystals and The Righteous Brothers. The rest of the album ain't too bad either, so give yourself a treat and purchase this now. Whilst you're at it, pick up a copy of 'Johnny, baby please come home' by Darlene Love, Spector's other forgotten masterpiece. Mad as a hatter he may be, but Phil is one of the few true giants of pop history.

Beautiful and Strange, 09 Mar 2001
Forget "STREET HEART" and just wallow in the unbelievably soulful production of Phil Spector and "BORN TO BE WITH YOU". And, of course, Dion's voice. It really hits straight to your soul like prime Scott Walker or Dennis Wilson. This is a truly timeless record: the drums sound like depth charges, just like this was The Ronettes, but Dion and the production are otherworldly. Even the version of "He's Got The Whole World In His Hand" sounds like Godlike.

A great (and underrated voice), 29 Mar 2006
Powerful, fun and in placed quite moving, Dion and the Belmonts have aged far better than some of their contemporaries. They're far more than The Wanderer and Run Around Sue (both of which are excellent tracks), the album runs to some 20 songs, and it never gets dull.

Ready for the King of Italian Doo Wop?, 13 May 2002
This one has got to be one of my favourite cd's - and believe me, I own a lot!!! A great aspect about this particular disc is that it serves to show how brilliantly remastering can be done. Listening to these songs, it seems incredible that they were all recorded during the latter part of the 50s through the first half of the 60s. A fact, which never seizes to amaze me, given the clear and crisp sound quality these newly polished recordings have come to display. And the music itself? It's like being in heaven. Rock'n'Roll heaven, that is! Dion's fantastic voice and the exceptional backing from either the Belmonts or the Del-Satins, serve to cook up as tight groove as swinging as you'll ever get to hear. This disc is just full of classics such as 'Teeenager in Love', 'Runaround Sue', its equally as rockin'clone 'Lovers who Wonder', 'Little Diane', 'Sandy' etc. There's no doubt that you need to get your hands on this collection - it features the cream of the crop from everyone's favourite Bronx boy.... Consequently, I highly recommend it.