VA The Queens of King Records (Girl Groups)

 

This title might be a tad misleading for those on the lookout for music associated with the early-to-mid-'60s girl group sound. There's a bit of that here, but actually it's a 24-track compilation of female-sung R&B sides recorded for the King label between the mid-'50s and mid-'60s. Much of it's doo wop, with some of the later cuts skirting the edges of girl group and early soul styles. It's quite doubtful that even the well-versed early rock fan has heard of any of the artists, with the exception of the Bobbettes, who had a hit in 1957 with "Mr. Lee" (not on this anthology, as it was recorded for Atlantic). Leaving such distinctions aside, it's a fair, though not excellent, collection of female solo and vocal group sides, boasting more diversity than many such collector-oriented releases due to its mix of doo wop with slightly more modern forms. There's no particular King sound to create common links throughout; some of this is quite basic early doo wop, sometimes there are fuller arrangements that hint at sweeter pop slickness. Some of the better sides are Faith Taylor & the Sweet Teens' 1958 single, on which they sound like Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers; Lynn Davis' 1963 effort "My New Love," which sounds much like what Motown was cutting with Mary Wells or the Marvelettes at the time; and Beverly Ann Gibson's "Call on Me," which sounds almost Brenda Lee-influenced in vocal approach.

Tracklist

1 Faith Taylor & the Sweet Teens– Your Candy Kisses

Written By – Charles Jones

2:29

2 The Hamilton Sisters– You Are The One

Written By – Samuel Trimiar

2:50

3 The Sharmettes– Tell Me

Written By – Gaynel Hodge/Eugene May/Johnny Otis/Margaret Marie Strong

2:18

4 The Shondells– Ooo Sometimes

Written By – Shirlee Brooks/Rosemary Reeves/Jacquel Scruggs/Beverly Simmons/Novella Simmons

2:32

5 Juanita Nixon– Let Me Be Free

Written By – Billy Myles

1:56

6 The Charmettes– School Letter

Written By – Sonny Thompson/Bernice Williams

2:51

7 The Bobbettes– My Dearest

Written By – Reather Dixon/Emma Pought/Jannie Pought/Helen Gathers

2:13

8 Faith Taylor & the Sweet Teens– Won't Someone Tell Me Why

Written By – Charles Jones

2:10

9 The Hamilton Sisters– Lonely Cabin

Written By – F. Allen/Carrie Holmes

2:55

10 Lynn Davis (2)– My New Love

Written By – Lenora Davis/Johnny Otis

2:46

11 The Sharmettes– I Want To Be Loved (Only By You)

Written By – Gaynel Hodge/Eugene May/Johnny Otis/Margaret Marie Strong

3:14

12 The Shondells– Wonderful One

Written By – A. Sims

2:39

13 Ruth Carroll & The Hamilton Sisters– One Honest Love

Written By – Willis H. Carroll/Carmen Taylor

2:17

14 The Sharmettes– My Dream

Written By – Gaynel Hodge/Eugene May/Johnny Otis/Margaret Marie Strong

2:12

15 Beverly Ann Gibson– Call On Me

Written By – Rudolph Toombs/Henry Glover

2:55

16 The Bobbettes– Are You Satisfied (With Your Love)

Written By – Jannie Pought

2:32

17 The Charmettes– Johnny Johnny

Written By – Sonny Thompson/Bernice Williams

2:44

18 Ruth Carroll & The Hamilton Sisters– One Honest Love

Written By – Hal Gordon/Ruth Kardon

2:17

19 The Shondells– Don't Cry My Soldier Boy

Written By – Marvin Phillips

2:41

20 Alice Rozier– My Candy Man

Written By – Wayne Cochran

2:31

21 The Vonns– Leave Us Alone

Written By – Gwendolyn Cooper/Gene C. Redd/Doris F. Redmon

2:32

22 The Bobbettes– Looking For A Lover

Written By – Reather Dixon/Emma Pought/Jannie Pought/Laura Webb

1:59

23 The Shondells– Special Delivery

Written By – Alvin B. Johnson/Edwin Johnson

2:30

24 The Jewels– This Is My Story

Written By – Gene Forrest/Eunice Levy

2:30

Enjoy

Ty To Original Sharer

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