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 DooWopDJ's 
R&B and DooWop CD Reviews
 
DOOTSIE’S DISCOVERIES

Penguin #1001
Barcode: None

Review first published: 01.07.2003

We have a great deal to thank Walter “Dootsie” Williams for. His Dootone Records formed in 1951 in Los Angeles, Ca, and his later Dooto label, brought us some great vocal groups and some fantastic recordings. This CD deals with those groups after they left the tutelage and guidance of Dootsie.

On these twenty-seven tracks we will hear what groups like the Meadowlarks, Penguins, Calvanes and the mulitude of other groups gave us in there later years.

If not for Dootsie Williams, we just may not have had the pleasure of hearing these great West Coast vocal groups all. He is the one that gave these kids the chance they needed.

Thanks and Rest In Peace Dootsie Williams.

Let’s see what this CD has to offer us.

1. I Knew I’d Fall In Love – Penguins ’57 Atlantic (Very good Rocker from the “Earth Angel” lads) play

2. Pledge Of Love – flipside of #1 (Penguins probably helped by the Cookies on this Super Ballad)

3. Heaven Only Knows – Don Julian & Meadowlarks ’61 Dynamic (Might just be better than their hit “Haeven & Pardise”. Killer ballad!)

4. This I Swear – Don Julian & Meadowlarks ’61 Amazon LP? (Ain’t Jimmy Beaumont! Still good)

5. Dear Ann – Vernon Green & Medallions ’62 Pan World $300 (Vernon doing his typical great job on this ballad)

6. Deep So Deep – Medallions ’62 Pan World (Vernon still got ya grindin’! Even has some tears shedding ala Jackie Rue!)

7. Dream World – Calvanes ’58 Deck $150 (Herman Pruitt and the lads smokin’ socks on this one!) play

8. My Love Song – Calvanes ’58 Deck $150 (Windows gotta be steamed by now! Nudder very, very good ballad!)

9. Please Tell Me – Cuff Links (always thought this was an unreleased Dootone?) (Should definitely been released somewhere. Henry Houston croons another great ballad here)

10. Gee, What’s On Your Mind? – Has to be the flipside of #9 (Got ya’s ROCKIN!)

11. So Long – Pipes ’58 Jacy $500 (Easy Strand! Good one!)

12. Baby, Please Don’t Go – flipside of #11 (Pleading ballad! Gooooooood!!)

13. Goodnight My Love – Don Julian & Meadowlarks ’61 Amazon LP? (Great job on this Jesse Belvin SMASH)

14. Lie – Meadowlarks ’64 Magnum (Whew! This one SMOKES! Ballad)

15. Shimmy Shimmy Shake – Medallions flipside of #6 (Of course it is an UPTEMPO) play

16. Only One Love – Cuff Links ’65 Gait $150 (’65! Shame the Brits were here then. This ballad never had a chance!)

17. You Don’t Understand – Romancers ’58 Bay-Tone (Bobby Freeman’s last vocal group release! He went solo after this one. Very good ballad)

18. Baby, I Love You So – flipside of #17 (Do Ya Wanna Dance! Bobby and the Romancers have ya movin on this one!)

19. Popeye – flipside of#3 (Do the Popeye!)

20. The Booglay – flipside of #14 (Another Dance to learn!)

21. Angel On The Dance Floor – Nuggets ’61 RCA (Nuggets a Dootsie group?? Why sure! AKA the Calvanes! Good Ballad)

22. Before We Say Goodnight – flipside of #21 (Killer ballad here too!)

23. Just A Friend – Nuggets ’62 RCA (Hey Calvanes can rock too. Ala Drifters style)

24. Cat Snapper – flipside of #23 (Keep on Rockin’)

25. Am I Ever Gonna See My Baby Again – Vernon Green & Medallions ’67 Minit (A Soul Ballad. These Medallions are FEMALE!)

26. Low Rider Girl – Don Julian & Larks (s/b Meadowlarks) ’65 Jerk (Don with a Soul Ballad)

27. Everybody, Let’s Cruise – flipside Rocker to #26.

There they are. The Groups that were given their starts by Dootsie Williams.

An excellent selection of vocal group sounds in these twenty-seven tracks. Thoroughly enjoyed listening to all.

Brand new release for 2003. Look for it at your favorite Oldies source.

If, perchance, you run into a snag locating this gem, drop me an E. I am always glad to assist.

In Harmony:

Bruce (DooWop DJ)

ellupo@comcast.net