From the category archives:

R&B/Doo-Wop

“I Only Have Eyes For You” Performed By The Flamingos (1959) & Jermaine Jackson (1972) & Eddy Duchin (1934)

April 22, 2010 · 2 comments

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#3 R&B, #11 Pop

Two brothers from Baltimore moving on to Chicago and finally to New York were the the spark of the evolution of what became the Flamingos.  As far as names go they started as the Swallows,  but changed to the Five Flamingos when they found out there was another vocal group going by that name back in Baltimore.

They ultimately became The Flamingos and had their most memorable hit with the remake of a 1934 song “I Only Have Eyes For You.”

I think that these men blended their voices in sweet harmonies and moved on stage such that they set the standard for what a great male vocal group should be.  I don’t think anyone in Popular Music  surpassed them until the Classic Temptations came along in the Sixites and perfected the sweetest blend of voices as arranged by  Mr. Eddie Kendricks and the smoothest steps in unison as choreographed by Mr. Cholly Atkins.

Still performing today, as Terry Johnson’s Flamingos, you may read the detail of their history and get current on their performances and music at their website. Just click on the link.

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Just as The Flamingos covered this Eddy Duchin classic over 20 years after its introduction and had it appear on their first LP — Jermaine Jackson covered the Flamingos’ version over a decade later and the song appeared on his first LP. I  BTW Jermaine’s first solo venture apart from the J5 was his best outing IMHO.

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To round out this post I thought I would share the original version of this Great American Songbook classic by Eddy Duchin and His Orchestra.

Please enjoy all three and be sure to vote and comment to share you opinions of which you prefer and why.

Musically Yours,

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Filed under: Al Dubin & Harry Warren, Doo-Wop Dynamite, Eddy Duchin & His Orchestra, Fifties, Guy Groups, I Only Have Eyes For You, Magnificent Male Vocalists, Motown, Pop/R&B, R&B/Doo-Wop, The Flamingos, Thirties

“Earth Angel (Will You Be Mine)” Performed By The Penguins (1955) & New Edition (1986)

April 19, 2010 · 5 comments

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1955: #1 R&B, #8 Pop

Composed by group members Curtis Williams, Gaynel Hodge, and Jesse Belvin, and  based on the chord structure of  “Blue Moon,” “Earth Angel” was the only big hit for the California based group the Penguins.

“Earth Angel” was also one of the first (if not the very first according to some sources) R&B hits to cross-over to the Pop (spelled w-h-i-t-e) charts in the  segregated world of 1955.

1986: #3 R&B/Hip Hop, #21 Pop. #48 Hot Dance/Maxi Single

Thirty years later the New Edition covered this classic as have many artists in -between.

And last but not least The Penguins performed their classic almost 50 years later for The PBS Doo-Wop Special.

This is remarkable music than spans the generations no matter what race, creed, or color --   isn’t it?

Enjoy the music.

Musically yours,

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Filed under: Doo-Wop Dynamite, Earth Angel (Will You Be Mine), Eighties, Fifties, Guy Groups, MCA, Mercury, New Edition, Pop/Doo-Wop, Pop/R&B, R&B/Doo-Wop, The Penguins

“Speedoo” Performed by The Cadillacs (1956)

April 12, 2010 · 5 comments

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#3 R&B ; #17 Pop

“Speedoo” was the big hit for The Cadillacs, formed in Harlem New York and active from 1953 to 1962, and the song that cements their place forever in Doo-Wop history. If you have never heard this song you must have been living under that proverbial rock.  : ^)

The Cadillacs had regional success on the east coast with prior singles but “Speedoo,” composed by Esther Navarro,  became their breakout tune when they performed the song on an Alan Freed Rock and Roll show with their awesome choreography by Cholly Atkins (later of Motown notoriety).

I went to you tube looking for a clip of The Cadillacs performing “Speedo” from a few years back on one of those great PBS specials I saw,  but instead found this clip  --  Please Mr. Johnson 1958. It is great!

I had never seen it before or heard the song before and wanted to share.  Please enjoy and let me know what you think!

Musically Yours,

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Filed under: Doo-Wop Dynamite, Esther Navarro, Fifties, Guy Groups, Jubilee, Pop/Doo-Wop, Pop/R&B, R&B/Doo-Wop, Speedoo, The Cadillacs

“Stay” Performed by Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs (1960)

April 8, 2010

[Audio clip: view full post to listen] #3 R&B; #1 Billboard Hot 100 “Stay” is one of my doo-wop all-time favorites. Short, sweet and to the point  — this tune is the shortest in length to ever reach #1 on the charts. Maurice Williams and his Royal Charms, became The Gladiolas and finally Maurice Williams [...]

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“Little Darlin’” Performed by The Gladiolas & The Diamonds (1957)

April 5, 2010

[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Composed By Maurice Williams and sung by him with his group The Gladiolas (formerly called the Royal Charms and eventually to change their name once more) the great Cha Cha tune “Little Darlin’” reached #11 on the R&B charts in 1957. [Audio clip: view full post to listen] [...]

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“In The Still Of The Night” Performed by The Five Satins (1956) & Boyz To Men (1992)

April 1, 2010

[Audio clip: view full post to listen] #3 R&B, #24 Billboard Hot 100 in 1956 The original Five Satins; Fred Parris, Al Denby, Ed Martin, and Jim Freeman, were  put together as a vocal group in 1954 New Haven Connecticut by Fred Parris.  His composition “In The Still Of The Night” was the first single [...]

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"Got A Job" Performed by The Miracles (1958)

July 16, 2009

[Audio clip: view full post to listen] The Miracles – Got A Job (1958) “Got a Job” was the very first single by a  group now called the Miracles. Composed by Tyran Carlo (Berry Gordy & Billy Davis) and Smokey Robinson, this song was the start of something that is still going strong today: both [...]

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