Track Listing

1. Where Or When - Dion & The Belmonts
2. Since I Don't Have You - The Skyliners
3. In The Still Of The Nite - The Five Satins
4. My True Story - The Jive Five
5. Gloria - The Cadillacs
6. Oh What A Nite - The Dells
7. Lover's Island - The Blue Jays
8. Sincerely - The Moonglows
9. Glory Of Love - The Velvetones
10. Ten Commandments Of Love - Harvey & The Moonglows
11. Earth Angel (Will You Be Mine) - The Penguins
12. 16 Candles - The Crests
13. I Only Have Eyes For You - The Flamingos
14. Tear Drops - Lee Andrews & The Hearts
15. Been So Long - The Pastels
16. A Thousand Miles Away - The Heartbeats
17. Daddy's Home - Shep & The Limelites
18. Goodnite Sweetheart, Goodnite - The Spaniels

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #20457 in Music
• Released on: 1989-09-12
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.com
This exemplary collection is full of music as ravishing as In the Wee Small Hours or Kind of Blue. Mixing radio staples (the Flamingos' definitive version of "I Only Have Eyes for You") with less-heard classics (the Cadillacs' "Gloria," the Velvetones' "Glory of Love"), Doo Wop Ballads brings the sound of the street corner home to the quiet corners of romance. Essential to the development of later decades' soul music, the sounds herein are also a reminder that these '50s teenagers and young adults indeed laid a claim on our hearts as unyielding as those of Frank or Miles. --Rickey Wright

Customer Reviews

great song list
best of the best favorites. I bought this and included it in my Mother's Easter basket, she loved it.

a fine retrospective with the best of doo wop
Best of Doo Wop Ballads gives us quite a few classic doo wop songs that got considerable airtime on the radio when they were released; and this CD proves why. The quality of the sound is excellent and the artwork is nicely done.

The album begins with Dion & The Belmonts performing their classic "Where Or When." They harmonize so well and they sing this emotional ballad about a man parting with his one true love to perfection. I love that musical arrangement, too. If you listen carefully, you can hear Dion's voice just above the others. It's quite a strong beginning for the CD! The Skyliners continue the hits with their awesome torch song entitled "Since I Don't Have You." They perform this number flawlessly and the musical arrangement makes great use of the strings and backup harmonizing. Moreover, listen for "In The Still Of The Nite" by The Five Satins. The Five Satins perform a terrific doo wop ballad that just can't be beat. They sing and harmonize so well; and the piano arrangement is great along with the percussion.

"Sincerely" by The Moonglows is another excellent example of quality doo wop at its best. They sing and harmonize well and they never miss a note on "Sincerely." The Penguins also deliver "Earth Angel (Will You Be Mine)" with panache and great sensitivity. The simple musical arrangement with its emphasis on the piano highlights the great vocals by The Penguins.

The Crests performs their "16 Candles;" and this is easily one of my very favorite doo wop ballads. They sing this sweetly with passion, heart and soul; I can really feel their love for the young girl they fancy. Similarly, The Flamingos deliver "I Only Have Eyes For You" with an exceptional sensitivity that I really enjoy.

The Spaniels end this solid album with "Goodnite Sweetheart, Goodnite." They sing sweetly and this makes a great ending song for this CD. The guitars impress me and the backup harmonizing is flawless.

Overall, Best Of Doo Wop Ballads is an excellent addition to just about any CD collection of more modern music from the twentieth century. Some of the "baby boomers" are bound to love this CD; and the music is so striking that even if you're younger you just might like this album too.

Indispensible
You're not going to want to hear this everyday, but this is prime catalogue stuff you'll want to have around for listens whenever you are in the mood for some doowop balladry. Separate it from its overplayed familiarity on radio, and you have distinct artistry that won't ever be duplicated. There is some genius here.