Collectables Records assumes that we know the story of the legendary Lads from Toronto using a chance opportunity to appear at NYC's Le Ruban Bleu as a springboard to worldwide fame and fortune; their fresh, upbeat sound defining jazz/pop music in the 50s and early 60s. There's not a single biographical note in the liner notes, just a list of the 28 songs and when they were recorded. Let the music do the talking-fair enough! "Turn Back," "Rocks in My Bed," "He Who Has Love," "Gotta Go to the Fais Do Do," "Harmony Brown," the silly "Cleo and Meo" and "Do You Know What Lips are For," the Polka tune "Oh, That'll Be Joyful," "I've Got Four Big Brothers," the sexy, funny "A Little Bit" and "Guess What the Neighbors'll Say," the dramatic "Fountain of Youth," "Our Lady of Fatima," "Got A Locket in My Pocket" and the latest-recorded song, 1969's "The Sheik of Chicago"aside from occasional hits like "No, Not Much" and "Standing On The Corner," we've never heard most of this (band accompanied) material. But the butter-smooth harmonies that soar to breathtaking, ringing heights, innocent romantic lyrics and general silliness are still a joy, whether the song was a near-hit or merely an album-filler. "Collection" is a rare, surprising winner, pure, uncut 1950s romantic jazz/pop from one of the great male vocal quartets of all time! |
