"Doo Wop Delights" The Hartford Groups (Relic CD)

This is an unusual collection, even for Relic - 16 previously unissued songs by acts that include Gene Pitney at the outset of his career…...Drawn from the roster of John Rys' Recording Co. Associates in Hartford, Connecticut, the songs include stunning performances by the Five Bel Aires, featuring John Hall ("Wedding Bells," "Come On Home") and Henry Hall ("House of Love," "My Friends," "I'm So Happy"), the Embers featuring Larry Lee ("Winter's Romance," "Tremble") and Gene Pitney ("Darkness," Victory," "Runaway Lover," "So Tired"), and the Serenaders featuring Larry Lee ("Too Young," "Dreams of Heaven"). Pitney's voice during this era (1957-60) sounds uncannily like that of Clyde McPhatter, and the songs, authored by Pitney, are first-rate as well. The fact that not one of the songs on this album ever got issued is astonishing -- the Five Bel Aires were at least a match for the likes of the Five Satins and the Nutmegs, both doo wop acts from Connecticut that made it, and could rock out as well as harmonize in elegant fashion. Apparently Rys was never able to conclude the deal that he needed with an active record label (there may have been a missed chance with Old Town Records), and the tapes languished for 30 years, until Relic got hold of them. Apart from Pitney, none of the artists featured here ever made it in the music business, but they deserve to be heard, which this release at least assures. The sound, incidentally, is excellent, and half of the material is in good quality true stereo. (Bruce Eder, Allmusic)
Don’t forget this part of the series;
Doo Wop Delights" The Boston Groups (Relic 7120)
http://twilightzone-rideyourpony.blogspot.com/2017/02/doo-wop-delights-boston-groups-relic.html

trax:
1. House Of Love - Henry Hall & The 5 Bell Aires 2. Darkness - Gene Pitney & The Embers 3. Winters Romance - Larry Lee & The Embers 4. My Friends - Henry Hall & The 5 Bell Aires 5. Victory - Gene Pitney & The Embers 6. Dreams Of Heaven - Larry Lee & The Serenaders 7. Wedding Bells - John Hall & The 5 Bell Aires 8. So Tired - Gene Pitney & The Embers 9. That Little Girl Was Mine - Larry Lee & The Embers 10. I'm So Happy - Henry Hall & The 5 Bell Aires 11. Runaway Lover - Gene Pitney & The Embers 12. Come On To My Love House - Henry Hall & The 5 Bell Aires 13. All Alone - Larry Lee & The Serenaders 14. Tremble - Larry Lee & The Embers 15. Too Young - Larry Lee & The Serenaders 16. Come On Home - John Hall & The 5 Bell Aires
…served by Gyro1966...