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From the Vault...
11/02/2008
#1123 |
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info
The Marcels
"The Best Of The Marcels"
© Rhino Records
Year of Release: 1990
Rating:
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track listing
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Blue Moon
I'll Be Forever Loving You
I Wanna Be The Leader
That Old Black Magic
Honestly Sincere
Footprints In The Sand
Summertime
Heartaches
Allright Okay You Win
Goodbye To Love
Find Another Fool
My Melancholy Baby
Sweet Was The Wine
One Last Kiss
Friendly Loans
Crazy Bells
Blue Heartaches
Over The Rainbow
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The Marcels
"The Best Of The Marcels"
The Marcels revised the song "Blue Moon" in the early 1960s, and made
it their only #1 song of their career. Although this song had been recorded
previously in a much slower style, the song made it as the Marcels' own.
The Best Of The Marcels from Rhino Records is a 18-track compilation.
And "Blue Moon" would be the only song best remembered.
The group was made from singers from a racially mixed group, of 2 white
singers - Richard Krauss (baritone), and Gene Bricker (second tenor). 3 black
singers finished the group - Fred Johnson (bass), Cornelius Harp (lead), and
Gene Ronald Mundy (first tenor). All 5 men were from Pittsburgh, and as the
beginning of the 1960s began, Rock & Roll was starting to change, as Elvis
Presley entered the army, Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, The Big Bopper had been
killed in a plane crash, another crash, this one being an automobile, would
claim the life of Eddie Cochran. Little Richard turned to gospel. And as
the early 1960s began, orchestra leaders such as Percy Faith and Lawernce Welk
were reaching the top of the charts, as their music just wasn't the wildness
of Rock & Roll. The Marcels' doo wop style, and as heard throughout this Best
Of, their unique pronunciations of certain words of doo wop would make these
songs unique in their own ways.
Most of the Marcels' songs feature the "yip yip bomp bomp bomp" doo wop
vocals. Yet, some of the songs using this style does get worn. "Blue
Moon" is definitely the standout, and possibly the best song The Marcels
ever did. Also, some songs have a novelty atmosphere.
There are some classic standards here, yet they were recorded in a different
style, than that of other versions more popular: "That Old Black Magic"
and Gershwin's "Summertime" has the doo wop meet the classics.
However, the other songs that do stand out, are "Heartaches," "Find Another
Fool," and even "Blue Heartaches" having that "yip yip yip bomp
bomp bomp" vocal characterizations. Even the classic "Over The Rainbow"
gets a different twist, and is done quite nicely.
The Marcels' was best remembered for "Blue Moon," and as some of the
other tracks on this Best Of may or may not have been considered classics,
or even remembered when first popular. You may hear some of the other songs in
later decades. ("Heartaches" is used on talk show host Michael Savage's
show, when he features Rock & Roll songs as his backdrop during his heated
It's always interesting to listen to the "other hits" by artists. Most of
these songs on the Best Of do have their moments, and as for the others,
they tend to sound the same. The Marcels' music is best known as Rhythm & Blues,
rather than Rock n Roll. Based on R&B, its a good collection. As for Rock n
Roll, it just didn't match to the giants of early wild years, such as Elvis,
Little Richard, and the likes of them.
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Review or any portion may not be reproduced
without written permission. Cover art is the
intellectual property of
Rhino Records
and is used for reference purposes only.
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