From the Vault...

11/02/2008
#1123

info
The Marcels
"The Best Of The Marcels"


© Rhino Records

Year of Release: 1990
Rating:

track listing
  • 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 related sites:
    The Marcels Website
    Wikipedia
    Previous Review: #1122
    The Firesign Theatre--How Can You Be In Two Places At Once When You're Not Anywhere At All
    Next Review: #1124
    Prince--Dirty Mind
    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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    Previous Review: #1122
    The Firesign Theatre--How Can You Be In Two Places At Once When You're Not Anywhere At All
    Next Review: #1124
    Prince--Dirty Mind