Dion & The Belmonts > A Teenager in Love
Composed by Doc Pomus & Mort Shuman

There was a time when I thought about such things and realized Dion DiMucci was one of the greatest singers of all time. But while I always loved the Doc Pomus/Mort Shuman string of hits I didn’t pay too much attention. Until I saw my 13 year old discovering Dion and thinking hard about the lyrics to this amazing song.

Doo-wop Week #5 
Legends of Soul #21*
Legends of Pop #3

* I’m not really sure why Dion’s in my Legends of Soul category but hell, he’s as soulful as Otis or James or Ray, so I did.

Aaron & Art Neville > This is My Story/We Belong Together

Composed by Gene Forrest & Eunice Levy/Robert Mitchell, Johnny Carr, and Hy Weiss*

Producer Joel Dorn told me he was outside a break during a 1980s Neville Brothers session and Aaron was scatting around on oldies he loved as a teenager. Dorn, ever the sharp eared fan, immediately rounded up a small band and legendary New Orleans arranger Wardell Quezergue and headed into the studio to record one of my favorite EPs ever.

Doo-wop lives I guess. Thank goodness.

(*Hy Weiss, legendary recordman and father of the current BMG chairman, did not write this song. He stuck his name on for a bigger share of the publishing profits, as was too often common in the early 20th century music business.)

Doo-wop Week #4 
Ballad #17 
Legends of Soul #20 
Cover #34

The Jive Five > My True Story
Composed by Eugene Pitt & Oscar Waltzer

“Eugene Pitt,” leader of The Jive Five, “is the most underrated soul singer of the 60s.” So says Terry Stewart, CEO of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

After ten thrilling years of working with Eugene and the Jive Five I’ve got to say I couldn’t agree more.

Doo-wop Week #3 
Ballad #16 
Legends of Soul #25

The Harptones > Life Is But A Dream
Composed by Raoul Cita & Hy Weiss*

Black vocal music was an everyday thing to my ears when I was a teenager. It was the last generation’s music, neither good nor bad, just part of the wallpaper. Until I heard this ballad on an oldies collection in my freshman year at the college radio station. Another transcedant moment.

(*Hy Weiss, legendary recordman and father of the current BMG chairman, did not write this song. He stuck his name on for a bigger share of the publishing profits, as was too often common in the early 20th century music business.)

Doo-wop Week #2 
Ballad #15

The Marcels > Blue Moon
Composed by Richard Rodgers & Lorenz Hart

Old school pop fans were shocked —shocked— by The The Marcels’ upbeat, doo-wop‘d of this classic ballad (not to be confused with this great country chesnut by Bill Monroe). Rock’n’Rollers on the other hand, most young folk, were thrilled.

Most contemporary doo-wop polls put The Five Satins’ In the Still of the Night at the top (but not even a mjaor hit in its time), but even though Blue Moon hit in 1961 it’s always struck me as the quintessential record of this 1950s staple. (So much so that my former partner was able to use his intrepretation to relaunch Nickelodeon as a top cable network.) I dare you to listen and then get it out of your head all night.

Doo-wop Week #1