So, I'm back--and I've joined the FLAC community. A very simple matter of two or three program settings. And it's almost ironic that I'm utilizing a lossless format for an SPC LP!! That's almost a contradiction in logic.
But this is great, great stuff. The Crescendos, though their fame was limited to Oh, Julie, were an unusually talented doo-wop quintet (and they were a quintet, despite the four-member pose used for this LP). As far as I know, and thanks to my friend Brian McFadden's wonderful Rock Rarities for a Song and the handy listings at Discogs, my guess is that half of these cuts were either demo recordings or simply unreleased Nasco or Scarlet label sides. In fact, I'm partly echoing one of Brian's conclusions. Anyway, the Crescendos' only LP, and it's a budget exploitation-product containing a mere eight tracks. But the music, to my ears at least, is rock and roll gold.
And these guys clearly had fantastic potential, and it's too bad their potential wasn't properly fulfilled. But they gifted us with these sides, so... And I've augmented the eight tracks with (you'll never guess) two budget knockoffs--one from Broadway/Eli Oberstein, and the other from Hollywood (original source unknown). And a reminder that Oberstein's Halo/Ultraphonic/etc. LPs utilized Broadway material (masters released, in turn, on Broadway's "Value" sublabels). My Halo Tops in Pops LP was too hammered, and so I ripped the first Oh Julie (aka, Oh, Julie) knockoff from a choppy but salvable Value Hit Parade Tunes release (12 Hit Parade Tunes). This stuff gets complicated.
But this is great, great stuff. The Crescendos, though their fame was limited to Oh, Julie, were an unusually talented doo-wop quintet (and they were a quintet, despite the four-member pose used for this LP). As far as I know, and thanks to my friend Brian McFadden's wonderful Rock Rarities for a Song and the handy listings at Discogs, my guess is that half of these cuts were either demo recordings or simply unreleased Nasco or Scarlet label sides. In fact, I'm partly echoing one of Brian's conclusions. Anyway, the Crescendos' only LP, and it's a budget exploitation-product containing a mere eight tracks. But the music, to my ears at least, is rock and roll gold.
And these guys clearly had fantastic potential, and it's too bad their potential wasn't properly fulfilled. But they gifted us with these sides, so... And I've augmented the eight tracks with (you'll never guess) two budget knockoffs--one from Broadway/Eli Oberstein, and the other from Hollywood (original source unknown). And a reminder that Oberstein's Halo/Ultraphonic/etc. LPs utilized Broadway material (masters released, in turn, on Broadway's "Value" sublabels). My Halo Tops in Pops LP was too hammered, and so I ripped the first Oh Julie (aka, Oh, Julie) knockoff from a choppy but salvable Value Hit Parade Tunes release (12 Hit Parade Tunes). This stuff gets complicated.
Where was I? So, one Nasco cut (the title track), plus three from Scarlet Records. And the Crescendos' impressive versality shines through in this short playlist, I think--and their supporting harmonies are exceptional. The female voice which appears on two (three?) cuts belongs to Janice Green. Now you know.
I honestly never gave Oh, Julie much thought, and it certainly wasn't on my list of favorite 1950s r&r hits. But it is now. I have a junk-label gem of an LP to thank for this. And, actually, the front jacket almost makes this release look like a "legit" one--i.e., from a non-rack-jobber label. Emphasis on almost.
With each listen, this is becoming one of my favorite LPs. And... I added an image in 11's Media Player app, but it doesn't seem to have taken. Ah, the new, totally useless Windows Media Player. And the FLAC folder link might noy be working properly--let me know. It seems to be taking me back to my OneDrive folder, which is NOT what I want.
I honestly never gave Oh, Julie much thought, and it certainly wasn't on my list of favorite 1950s r&r hits. But it is now. I have a junk-label gem of an LP to thank for this. And, actually, the front jacket almost makes this release look like a "legit" one--i.e., from a non-rack-jobber label. Emphasis on almost.
With each listen, this is becoming one of my favorite LPs. And... I added an image in 11's Media Player app, but it doesn't seem to have taken. Ah, the new, totally useless Windows Media Player. And the FLAC folder link might noy be working properly--let me know. It seems to be taking me back to my OneDrive folder, which is NOT what I want.
DOWNLOAD: Oh Julie SPC.zip FLAC
Oh Julie (Nasco, 1958)
Julie Anna
Katie Doll
Angel Face (Scarlet Records, 1961)
Without Love
I'm So Ashamed (Scarlet Records, 1961)
Let's Take a Walk (Scarlet Records)
Oh, Julie--The Corwins, 1958 (Value VLP-107)
Oh Julie--(Unknown, from The Nation's 12 Big Hit Recordings, Broadway LPH-139)
Lee
