New York City's Apollo Records was a key fifties R&B label that released great groups, blues and gospel. In their archives, however, was unearthed a treasure trove of audition tapes of early a cappella groups, The Casanovas, Miriam Grate & The Dovers, the Gentlemen, The Keynotes, and the Avalons. This is a collection of 20 of the best songs rescued from the dusty boxes in Apollo's warehouse: "A Star" and "Early One Morning" by the Keynotes, "Pleading from My Heart" and "Night Rider" by the Casanovas," The Dovers' tasty "My Love" and "Sweet as a Flower," "Baby Looka Here" by the The Avalons, and "Story of a Love Gone Cold" by the Gentlemen are some of our favorites. Most of these songs are new to us, and they showcase the raw talent and creativity of the early Doo-Wop scene, where dozens of groups were a record contract or some radio play away from a hit and stardom. |
