|
|
CD Reviews
The Very Best of Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
What can be said? There is no voice more sultry, more sad, more distinct than of Dusty's, found inThe Very Best of Dusty Springfield. This sultry CD gives you 20 solid song songs from Dusty, including the inimitable "Wishin' and Hopin'," "Stay Awhile," "I Don't Know What to Do With Myself," and "The Look of Love."
Her later (bigger) hit, "Son of a Preacher Man" is here, too, along with "I Only Want to Be With You" (later immortalized by the late great Nicolette Larson) and many other memorable tunes. This is one CD you won't want to miss, and the best of the Dusty compilations.
Available at:
The Very Best of Dusty Springfield
Shelley! The Things We Did Last Summer
Shelley Fabares
Be still my heart! Her classic "Johnny Angel" is included, along with her sweet, breathless "Love Letters," "True Love," and "The Things We Did Last Summer." But don't typecast her just yet. Shelley tests her mettle with covers like, Little Eva's "The Loco-Motion," Neil Sedaka's "Breaking Up is Hard to Do," and "Sealed with a Kiss." You'll feel like you're back on the beach with this solid CD.
Available at: Shelley! The Things We Did Last Summer
Mary Wells: The Ultimate Collection
Mary Wells
Who can ever forget her incredible hit, "My Guy"? This CD shows the many talents of Mary Wells that were robbed from us when her young life ended. Mary sings the wonderful "You Beat Me to the Punch," "Strange Love," and "Operator" (not the later Manhattan Transfer version--this one is better!). You won't soon forget "Whisper You Love Me" and many of these romantic songs.
Available at: Mary Wells: The Ultimate Collection
Back to top
|
|
Bang Bang: The Early Years
Cher
Who dares to challenge the ultimate of all divas? With her hit "Believe," Cher stands as the oldest woman to score a number one single. Her enduring voice is showcased even in her early hits, "Dream Baby" and "Bang Bang" not the least among them! Hear Cher's version of "The Girl from Ipanema," "Elusive Butterfly," "Needles and Pins," and "Alfie." You can't go wrong with this collection! Available at: Cher: Bang Bang, the Early Years
Phil's Spectre: A Wall of Soundalikes
Whether you hate or love Phil, you'll relish this clever collection. These are songs like Phil Spector's "Wall of Sound," but of course are imitations. "When You Walk in the Room" by Jackie DeShannon has Spector's ghost there in the recording studio. "Run Run Run" was a non-hit by the Supremes before they were famous--while Motown tried to copy the Wall of Sound. The hard-to-find gay icon hit, "Boys Town" by Nino Tempo is here, too. There's even the rare song, "Hang On," by a group called the Wall of Sound!
Available at: Phil's Spectre
Phil's Spectre II: Another Wall of Soundalikes
As was said in the Wizard of Oz, "Oh joy!" Another cavalcade of Spector wannabes. Revel in "One Block from Heaven," a seldom-heard song by Mary Wells, "I Do" by the Beach Boys, "Climb Ev'ry Mountain" by the Victorians (why that song?) and "Be My Man" by Suzy Wallis. I also enjoyed the rarity "Nite Owl" by the Righteous Brothers, even though it's far from a girl-group song. Haven't heard "Your Baby Doesn't Love You Anymore" by Ruby & the Romantics? Who has? Only here will you find these rare gems.
Available at: Phil's Spectre II
Back to top
|
|
The Best of the Shangri-las
With a group this well-known, you might as well just list the songs (a whopping 25 tracks are on this CD): "Leader of the Pack," "Remember (Walkin' in the Sand)," "Give Him a Great Big Kiss," "Out in the Streets," and the goth-predicter, "Dressed in Black," along with every other hit they ever made. Resistance is future: do not miss this ultimate bad-girl girl-group and their street-wise, ball-busting hits.
Available at: The Best of the Shangri-las
Where the Girls Are Vol. 4
How can you continue to exist without having heard the delectable, "Wise Guy" by Shirley Matthews & the Big Town Girls? Well, you can't without this rare collection. The spunky "Dip Da Dip" by Angela Martin is a romp, and "In Paradise" by the Cookies along with "Untrue Love" by the Bobbettes make this a must-have. There are also delightful unheard tracks from Patti Labelle & the Bluebelles, Goldie & the Gingerbreads, Doris Troy ("You'd Better Stop") and more. The icing on the cake: "At the Party" by Tami Lynn. Party on!
Available at: Where the Girls Are Vol. 4
Del Phi Girl Groups: Gee Baby Gee
"Splish Splash Twist" with the funky Desda, along with five hits from the Sisters. This quirky collection from a girl-group label is hard to find and a keeper for sure. Other songs you can't miss: "I'll Give My Life" by Brenda Holloway, "Sooner or Later" and "It's the Last Time" by the Ladybugs, and "Shade of Red" by Pippy Shannon.
Available at: Del-Fi Girl Groups
About your reviewer...
Chuck Mallory is a former book reviewer for the Kansas City Star and has been published in several magazines. He lives in Chicago and still awaits his first opportunity to write liner notes. Don't see your favorite girl-group CD here? Send your review suggestions: Please review...
Back to top
© 2004-2008
|
|
