Doo wop a cappella has influenced so much of today's sound and here we present some cool arrangements of some of the all-time classics. Here is Ed Lojeski rendition of The Nylons hit "Silhouettes" which has an irresistible energy and drive that make this an audience favorite! "Under The Boardwalk", the 1964 classic hit by the Drifters, should be in every group's repertoire as should the 1962 Gene Chandler hit "Duke of Earl". Would you believe the '50s hit "Book of Love" was inspired by a toothpaste commercial? It's a terrific male parody on "how to keep your girl" put in an a cappella "street-style" setting and the Boyz 11 Men version of "Under The Boardwalk" is bound to be a crowd pleaser!

Songlist: Under the Boardwalk, Book of Love, Duke of Earl, In the Still of the Nite, Silhouettes

"Box" is the fourth excellent CD by all-male Chicago quartet Ac Rock (pronounced Ak-Rock), who are into a cappella Rock n' Roll, and just keep getting better at singing and arranging it! Paul, JD, Mark & Chris share solos on these 14 songs (actually 18, considering the final cut, "Best of Doo-Wop" includes "Duke of Earl," "The Book of Love," "Get A Job" and the Harmony Sweeps anthem "Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight"). Just listen to cut #9, "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" (before a live audience at an elementary school in Wilmington, IL) if you want to see how much these guys (a) love their work, and (b) have big fun in concert. It's hard to pick favorites here, but "Who Put The Bomp," Brian Wilson's "Little Deuce Coupe," the Drifters' "Under The Boardwalk," Maurice White's "Shining Star," Hanson's "MMMBop," and James Brown's "I Got You (I Feel Good)" (which segues into a short, surreal sample of Strauss' "Blue Danube"), and a nice original by Mark, "Get Out The Way" will do for starters. See these guys live if you can, and get a sweet taste of their good stuff on "Out of the Box!". Then, after you've listened, put Out Of The Box in your computer (PC or Mac) and check out the amazing Enhanced Content: the Ac Rock Concentration game, The Ac Rock Sound Machine, a QuickTime Virtual Reality walkaround of the AcRock sculpture, and interactive bios for all of the guys. A free multi-media bonus that appeals to all ages!

Songlist: Shining Star, Absolutely Right, Happy Together, Who Put The Bomp (In The Bomp Ba Bomp Ba Bomp), Under the Boardwalk, I Got You (I Feel Good), (So Nice) Blue Danube, Get Out the Way, The Lion Sleeps Tonight, Little Deuce Coupe, Pretty Little Angel Eyes, MMMBop, So Fine, Duke of Earl, Book of Love, Get A Job, Goodnight

The enthusiasm of the Alley Cats is so infectious and their energy so buoyant that they can make you like any song they sing. It's true! Having gotten their start at Disneyland's 'Magic Kingdom,' they exhibit a merry disposition that bursts through even on CD-they cannot be contained! A host of classic tunes such as 'Book Of Love,' 'Don't Be Cruel' and 'Duke Of Earl,' which could be perfunctory in lesser hands, are pounced on by the Alley Cats, and are the better for it. The arrangements are familiar but with a little added pizazz (we'd encourage more!), the intonation crisp, the rhythms fluid. A highly professional and entertaining recording.

Songlist: Rama Lama Ding Dong, Sh-Boom, Come Go With Me, Sixty Minute Man, At The Hop, The Lion Sleeps Tonight, Book Of Love, Duke Of Earl, Little Darlin', In The Still Of The Night, Don't Be Cruel, Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight, Alley Cat Tag

Pull up a street corner and enjoy the tight, sweet harmonies of Brylcream, from Naples, Florida, which is John 'Wopp' Mina, Richie Beattie, Tom 'Cool-T' Welter, 'Billy D' Louth, and Randy 'Rep' Porter. All covers, several nicely arranged by John Mina. Some favorites: 'Trickle, Trickle,' 'Duke of Earl,' 'Bring It On Home,' 'Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow,' 'Silhouettes,' 'All Shook Up,' 'In The Still of the Night,' and 'Gloria.' The obligatory warning for purists: about half of the songs are accompanied by the 'Lords of Cool.' But make no mistake, Brylcream sings them slick, smooth & creamy, and a 'Little Dab' didn't do us - we want more!

Songlist: Dr. Doo Wop Album Intro, Trickle, Trickle, Duke of Earl, Lords of Cool Intro, Morse Code of Love, Little Darlin, The Wanderer, Bring it on Home, Another Saturday Night, Will You Love Me Tomorrow?, Who Put The Bomp (In The Bomp Ba Bomp Ba Bomp), Silouettes Intro (group), Silhouettes, All Shook Up, Ready to Go Intro, So In Love, Happy Days, In the Still of the Night, Gloria - Rich Beattie, Little Star, Mary's Boy Child

All male a cappella quintet Cat's Pajamas of Branson, MO first got together in 2005 to sing live in an Oreo cookie jingle contest, placed in the top 10 and never looked back. They've been touring extensively and recording, sharpening their vocal chops and live show, which we get a nice taste of on "One Stop Doo-Wop"-ten of the 12 cuts were recorded live in the Majestic Theater in Madison, WI, and "I Feel Good" was recorded in group member Nate Mendl's dining room! Favorites are "OREO/Rockin' Robin," when we get to hear the famous Oreo song that brought the group together, "Duke of Earl," CCR's "Proud Mary," the bubblegum hit "Hooked on a Feelin'," the Drifters' "Under the Boardwalk," "Up On The Roof," The Righteous Bros.' "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" and "Only You." The live audience went nuts over this one, and if you love Doo-Wop, we bet you will too!

Songlist: Duke of Earl, Under the Boardwalk, OREO / Rockin' Robin, Stand By Me, Hooked on a Feelin, Love Potion No 9, You've Lost That Loving Feeling, Pretty Women, Up On The Roof, I Feel Good, Only You (And You Alone)

Five active and retired law enforcement officers from Washington D.C. are the Doo Wop Cops. They are one of those groups who have serious careers and have had to put aside the early musical training each member had while growing up. They found one another in 1985 and the music just wouldn't be denied. They've performed with the Persuasions, Chuck Berry, The Drifters, Stevie Wonder and many more. We'll not pay attention to the numerous Presidential performances but will mentioned that they were picked by Gen. Colin Powell out of the hundreds of offers to perform at his retirement. They are great singers. There is a joyous over the top feeling to the music of these men who generally use their performances to inspire young people in their schools and neighborhoods. Let us tell you, if they weren't such devoted public servants we'd advise them to quit their day jobs in a second!

Songlist: Sh-Boom, Oh What A Night, Run Red Run, Heart & Soul, Stormy Weather, Can I, Let's Go, Let's Go, Let's Go, For Your Precious Love, Duke Of Earl, Buffalo Soldier, False Alarm, I'm On The Outside (Looking In), Never Let Me Go, Little Darlin, Island Of Love, At My Front Door

You are in for a treat. This recording contains straight ahead a cappella covers with no production embellishments, sung to you by the quartet who placed first in the 1997 Northern Harmony, A Canadian A Cappella Celebration. Now even though these songs are recorded just the way you could hear them performed on stage, the vocal kazoo and trumpet chorus on "Rockin' Robin does provide a distinctive, playful, embellishment. You'll find "Good Lovin'," "Blue Moon," "For The Longest Time," "Under The Boardwalk" (nice gargle effect there), "Duke Of Earl," "Sesame Street" and more, eighteen tunes in all. Go Canada! Get Heebee-Jeebees!

Songlist: Good Lovin', Blue Moon, I'm in a Hurry, The Boring Song, Rockin' Robin, Spiderman, The Longest Time, Under the Boardwalk, Duke of Earl, Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight, You Kissed Me First, Sesame Street, Runsaround Sue, Rocks, California Dreamin', Rubber Duckie, Kiss Him Goodbye, The Lion Sleeps Tonight

The Mighty Echoes : A Cappella Cool   

We will freely admit to loving LA's four Echoes, "Brothers in Harmony" Charlie, Harvey, John and Jon at first listen, almost 20 years ago. Many audience-pleasing live performances and three great CDs haven't changed our feelings as we joyously tear the annoying plastic wrap off "Cool" and treat our boombox to the Echoes' 4th collection of 15 Doo-Wop winners. Some of our favorites include an exquisitely meandering "I Only Have Eyes for You," a complex, soaring arrangement of Brian Wilson's "Good Vibrations" (that few groups would even attempt, much less nail), a rock-solid, soulful "Lean On Me," a silly, tough-talking "Daddy Cool," a richly harmonic cover of Eric Clapton's "Wonderful Tonight," a powerful "Duke of Earl," a luscious "In The Still of the Night," an incongruous but marvelous "White Christmas," and the final tune, a foot-stomping "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye." The Echoes have the tight arrangements, perfect pitch, soaring leads, deep basslines and love of singing that make "Cool" one of the best Doo Wop recordings of the year!

Songlist: Rome Wasn't Built in a Day, I Only Have Eyes For You, Return To Sender, Good Vibrations, Lean On Me, Daddy Cool, Wonderful Tonight, With This Ring, Duke of Earl, Whispering Bells, In The Still Of The Night, Chapel of Love, Up On The Roof, White Christmas, Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye

These guys have personality plus. Doo-wop and street corner harmonies only give a 'sort of' idea to their music shared on this, their first album which was released at the same time as their second. They start off doo-wop all right but immediately do Bruce Springsteen's 'Factory.' Then, thanking the Coasters, they proceed with a very funny arrangement of 'Youngblood.' Throughout the remainder of the fifteen cuts we are treated to lots of traditional oldies interspersed with Prince's 'Doves Cry,' Paul Simon & Joseph Shablala's 'Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes' and Peter Townsend's 'My Generation.' But that's what you'd expect from a bunch of guys who have been featured on TV's 'Who's The Boss,' 'Frank's Place' and 'Murphy Brown,' not to mention their roles as the singing firemen in the movie 'Wilder Napalm.' Listen to Rama Lama Ding Dong.

Songlist: Wonder Why, Factory, Doves Cry, Youngblood, Looking For An Echo, Duke Of Earl, Rama Lama Ding Dong, The Closer You Are, Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes, Ring Of Fire, Heaven Help Us All, Heatwave, Why Do Fools Fall In Love, Who's That Knockin', My Generation

I'd love to introduce you to these five leather-jacketed, authentic-looking older guys, but unfortunately the liner notes fail to tell us anything about them, such as their names and how long they've been singing together. But giving the CD a listen makes a few things clear: they can sing some pretty sweet Doo-Wop! There are 20 tracks here; 'I'm So Young,' 'A Thousand Miles Away,' 'Duke of Earl,' 'The ABC's of Love' and 'Little Girl of Mine' are standouts. The N.C. let their music do the talking!

Songlist: Remember Then, Shadows, I'm So Young, You Gave Me Peace Of Mind, Two Kinds of People, I'm So Happy, Wedding Bells Are Ringing In My Ears, Island Of Love, Trickle Trickle, A Thousand Miles Away, Duke Of Earl, My Girl Awaits Me, I'm Not a Juvenile Delinquent, My Hearts Desire, Please Say You Want Me, Gloria, Sixty Minute Man, The ABC's of Love, Little Girl Of Mine, If You Love Me

Collectables is pleased to present the best in contemporary Acappella and Doo Wop originally released on the Starlight label. These out-of-print classics feature the most popular vocal groups currently performing. Featuring the Doo Wop classics recorded by Now And Then "Happy Days", "Silhouettes" and "The Longest Time."

Songlist: Happy Days, We Were Meant to Be, Give Our Love Just One More Chance, Breakin' Up is Hard to Do, Silhouettes, Yesterday, Girl, I Love You So, The Longest Time, Hello, Donna, Duke of Earl, Why Do Fools Fall In Love, Give My Broken Heart A Break, All I Have to Do Is Dream, Baby, My Love is For Real, Alfredo's Love Song, In the Still of the Night, Barbara Ann, Sixty Minute Man, Amazing Grace, Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight

This is the one that began the most enduring career of any modern vocal group. The self titled album went gold in Canada in two months with huge radio hits of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," and "Up On The Roof" which are among their signature tunes to this day. "Duke Of Earl" was recorded live in Vancouver before a wildly cheering audience, the only live track. For the "purist" a cappella fan, "A Million Ways," "Somethin' Bout Cha," "Duke Of Earl," "Rock & Roll Lullaby" and "Up On The Roof" are accompanied by only finger snaps or hand claps.

Songlist: The Lion Sleeps Tonight, Love Potion #9/ Spooky, A Million Ways, Somethin' Bout Cha, Duke Of Earl, Rock & Roll Lullaby, Find The One I Love, Some People, Up On The Roof, Me And The Boys

Attic Records has been working with Windham Hill Records to rerelease the Nylons' "Attic years". Perfect Fit is a collection of favorites from the previous releases, The Nylons, One Size Fits All, Seamless, Happy Together, and Rockapella. This release is a grand survey of the early Nylons giving us, "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," "Happy Together," "Kiss Him Goodbye," "Love Potion #9/Spooky," "Silhouettes," "Chain Gang," "Poison Ivy," "Drift Away," "All I Have To Do Is Dream," "Up On The Roof," "This Boy" and three more.

Songlist: The Lion Sleeps Tonight, Happy Together, Kiss Him Goodbye, Love Potion #9/Spooky, Selhouettes, Chain Gang, Poison Ivy, Drift Away, All I Have To Do Is Dream, Up On The Roof, Oo Wee, Oh Me, Oh My, This Boy, Remember (Walking In The Sand), Duke Of Earl

The Nylons have long been one of our favorite groups, most recently wowing the audience at the West Coast Summit. What we love about them is that they don't just cover a song, they "vocally sculpture" it, giving it a new dimension from the original. "Illustrious" is a "best of" collection from The Nylons' many CDs and huge number of live performances, and it's a treat! 13 songs: the live cuts "Duke of Earl" and "Chain Gang," "Love Potion #9/Spooky," the quintessential version of"The Lion Sleeps Tonight," "Up On The Roof," "Silhouettes," "Town Without Pity," "Remember," "Kiss Him Goodbye"...the hits just keep on coming. The Nylons simply sing and perform rings around most Doo-Wop groups, and never was this fact so evident as it is on "Illustrious." Great stuff!

Songlist: Duke Of Earl, Love Potion #9 / Spooky, Rock and Roll Lullaby, The Lion Sleeps Tonight, Silhouettes, Town Without Pity, Up The Ladder To The Roof, Remember, Happy Together, Chain Gang, Kiss Him Goodbye, Drift Away