Post by Jonel on May 23, 2002 15:02:57 GMT -5
`The Best Of The Moonglows' Features Doo-Wop Classics `Sincerely,' `See Saw,' `Most Of All' and `The Ten Commandments Of Love'
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Story Filed: Wednesday, May 22, 2002 10:01 AM EST
LOS ANGELES, May 22, 2002 (ENTERTAINMENT WIRE) -- In 2000, the enduring influence of The Moonglows was honored by their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame, which called them "among the finest black harmony groups of the Fifties" and the ensemble that "heralded the (rock `n' roll) revolution that was to come."
Now the legendary group's 12 best-loved classics (six R&B Top 10s, three of them pop Top 40s) have been digitally remastered and brought together on "The Best Of The Moonglows" edition of "20th Century Masters/The Millennium Collection" (MCA/Chess/UME), released July 2, 2002. Spanning their heyday of 1954 to 1958, the compilation spotlights the group and the sound that bridged the smooth style of the Ink Spots and the Mills Brothers and the earthier sounds of rock `n' roll.
The Moonglows first gained notice in 1952 after disc jockey Alan Freed, whose "Moondog Rock 'n' Roll Party" program on Cleveland's WJW was a powerful influence, renamed the group and created the Champagne label for them. After a label change, Bobby Lester (lead), Pete Graves (tenor), Harvey Fuqua (baritone) and Prentiss Barnes (bass) signed to Chess. Their first session for the label in 1954 resulted in their biggest hit, a lush, romantic rendition of "Sincerely," frequently cited as the definitive example of "blow harmony," a sensuous elongation of vowel sounds that became a Moonglows' trademark. "Sincerely" went #1 R&B/#20 pop and, like their follow-up, "Most Of All" (#5 R&B), was co-written by Fuqua and, nominally, Freed.
After "In My Diary," they hit in summer 1956 with a double-sided single of "When I'm With You" (#15 R&B) and "See Saw" (#6 R&B, #25 pop). That same year, "We Got Together" reached #9 R&B, and in 1957 Percy Mayfield's "Please Send Me Someone To Love" peaked at #5 R&B. Broadening their audience, The Moonglows also released a gorgeous rendition with string section of "Blue Velvet" and a surprisingly up-tempo treatment of "(I'm Afraid) The Masquerade Is Over." "The Best Of The Moonglows" also includes "Over And Over Again" and "Sweeter Than Words."
For 1958's "The Ten Commandments Of Love," their final charter (#9 R&B/#22 pop), the billing was changed to Harvey and The Moonglows. The original quartet then broke up, and Harvey Fuqua brought in a group called The Marquees from D.C. as the "new" Moonglows. This last edition of the `50s Moonglows included a young Marvin Gaye, but the group disbanded in 1960. Gaye became a star at Motown, and Fuqua served as a major producer and songwriter there. An early `70s reunion followed, as have stellar performances which continue today as shining reminders of the influence of The Moonglows.
The series "20th Century Masters/The Millennium Collection" features new "best of" albums from the most significant music artists of the past century.
CONTACT: Universal
Sujata Murthy, 310/865-7812 (Media Contact)
Todd Nakamine, 310/865-7797 (Media Contact)
Elliot Kendall, 310/865-9852 (Radio Contact)
URL:
www.businesswire.com
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Story Filed: Wednesday, May 22, 2002 10:01 AM EST
LOS ANGELES, May 22, 2002 (ENTERTAINMENT WIRE) -- In 2000, the enduring influence of The Moonglows was honored by their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame, which called them "among the finest black harmony groups of the Fifties" and the ensemble that "heralded the (rock `n' roll) revolution that was to come."
Now the legendary group's 12 best-loved classics (six R&B Top 10s, three of them pop Top 40s) have been digitally remastered and brought together on "The Best Of The Moonglows" edition of "20th Century Masters/The Millennium Collection" (MCA/Chess/UME), released July 2, 2002. Spanning their heyday of 1954 to 1958, the compilation spotlights the group and the sound that bridged the smooth style of the Ink Spots and the Mills Brothers and the earthier sounds of rock `n' roll.
The Moonglows first gained notice in 1952 after disc jockey Alan Freed, whose "Moondog Rock 'n' Roll Party" program on Cleveland's WJW was a powerful influence, renamed the group and created the Champagne label for them. After a label change, Bobby Lester (lead), Pete Graves (tenor), Harvey Fuqua (baritone) and Prentiss Barnes (bass) signed to Chess. Their first session for the label in 1954 resulted in their biggest hit, a lush, romantic rendition of "Sincerely," frequently cited as the definitive example of "blow harmony," a sensuous elongation of vowel sounds that became a Moonglows' trademark. "Sincerely" went #1 R&B/#20 pop and, like their follow-up, "Most Of All" (#5 R&B), was co-written by Fuqua and, nominally, Freed.
After "In My Diary," they hit in summer 1956 with a double-sided single of "When I'm With You" (#15 R&B) and "See Saw" (#6 R&B, #25 pop). That same year, "We Got Together" reached #9 R&B, and in 1957 Percy Mayfield's "Please Send Me Someone To Love" peaked at #5 R&B. Broadening their audience, The Moonglows also released a gorgeous rendition with string section of "Blue Velvet" and a surprisingly up-tempo treatment of "(I'm Afraid) The Masquerade Is Over." "The Best Of The Moonglows" also includes "Over And Over Again" and "Sweeter Than Words."
For 1958's "The Ten Commandments Of Love," their final charter (#9 R&B/#22 pop), the billing was changed to Harvey and The Moonglows. The original quartet then broke up, and Harvey Fuqua brought in a group called The Marquees from D.C. as the "new" Moonglows. This last edition of the `50s Moonglows included a young Marvin Gaye, but the group disbanded in 1960. Gaye became a star at Motown, and Fuqua served as a major producer and songwriter there. An early `70s reunion followed, as have stellar performances which continue today as shining reminders of the influence of The Moonglows.
The series "20th Century Masters/The Millennium Collection" features new "best of" albums from the most significant music artists of the past century.
CONTACT: Universal
Sujata Murthy, 310/865-7812 (Media Contact)
Todd Nakamine, 310/865-7797 (Media Contact)
Elliot Kendall, 310/865-9852 (Radio Contact)
URL:
www.businesswire.com
