Originally an instrumental quintet, the KS4 became a vocal foursome before making a name for themselves in nightclubs and local television shows. Kirby Stone Eddie Hall, Larry Foster and Mike Gardner had a hip brand of humor and a distinctive, upbeat, swinging style. They came to prominence in 1958 with an appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show, which led to a Columbia Records contract, and the release of "Man, I Flipped When I Heard the Kirby Stone Four." 1958 was also the year they had a Top 30 single with their extremely original cover of "Baubles, Bangles And Beads," from the 1953 Broadway musical Kismet. The attached album, on this CD, reached the US Top 20. There are 12 (accompanied) songs here, from what Kirby called a "happy show," all upbeat, somewhat irreverent, jazzy and fun: the title tune, "Bidin' My Time," "Lullaby of Broadway," "Fugue For Tinhorns," "In The Good Old Summertime," "Rain," "Zing! Went The Strings of My Heart," "Let's Do It," "When My Sugar Walks Down The Street," "Swinging Down The Lane," "Lady Love Me" and "Whispering." We don't think it's physically possible to listen to "Baubles" and feel down at the same time! |
