The Cues "Why" (Capitol 1954-1956)

The knowledgeable and detailed PETER GRENDYSA liner notes on this typically superb Bear Family CD are dated 'July 1988' - on a 2008 CD? Here's what happened...Back in 1988 Bear Family put out one of the first compilations dedicated to this superb Doo Wop and R'n'B Vocal group - the 16-track vinyl LP "Crazy, Crazy Party" on BFX 15309. It contained most of their Capitol Records output and four previously unreleased tracks - "Much Obliged", "Killer Diller", "Rock 'n' Roll Mr. Oriole" and "Be My Wife".
This was then reissued as "Why" on an expanded CD in 1991 with 28 Tracks (a different cover also accompanied the different title). As well as featuring additional early sides on Lamp, Jubilee, Prep and Groove, it added a further five previously unreleased songs from Capitol's vaults - 2 takes of "Yes Sir", "Poppa Loves Momma", "Ladder" and "Warm Spot".
The Cues were formed by the legendary Producer & Writer JESSE STONE specifically as a backing-group of quality for recording labels of the time - the first time this had ever been done. They're on Atlantic hits by LaVern Baker in 1954, they're credited as Joe Turner's "Blues Kings", the "Rhythmmakers" for Ruth Brown and "The Ivorytones" for Ivory Joe Hunter.
The Cues had an array of stunning vocalists - OLLIE JONES [Lead Tenor], ABEL DeCOSTA [First Tenor], JIMMY BREEDLOVE [Second Tenor], ROBIE KIRK [Baritone] and EDWARD 'EDDIE' BARNES [Bass]. Breedlove later had a solo career with sides on RCA in 1958, but they were far rockier than his smooth vocal work with The Cues (his lone album "Sings Rock 'n' Roll Hits" was reissued on Bear Family BFX 15327 in 1989, but it isn't very good actually). One of the highlights on this CD is Breedlove's beautiful lead vocals on his ballad "Don't Make Believe" - the flip of "Destination 2100 And 65".
The sound quality is fabulous throughout, except for their October 1954 debut 45 on Lamp 8007 ("Forty `leven Dozen Ways" b/w "Scoochie Scoochie") where both sides are dubbed from a scratchy and extremely rare disc. The other selling point is the really great quality of the unreleased tracks - Breedlove's whistling on "Rock `n' Roll Mr. Oriole" predating Bobby Darin's "Rockin' Robin" by a full two years. Another rarity is "So Near And Yet So Far" b/w "Hot Rotten Soda Pop (On My Toe)" which was issued in June 1955 on Groove 4/G-0110 (one of RCA's subsidiary labels); it's credited to THE FOUR STUDENTS, but it's featured on this CD because 4 members of The Cues are on it.
My personal favourites on "Why" are the four sides of two great singles - the 1st on Capitol F 3582 from November 1956 - "Why" b/w "Prince Or Pauper" and the 2nd on Prep 104 from May 1957 - "Crazy, Crazy Party" b/w "I Pretend". They're both perfect slices of Fifties greatness - a cool dancer on the A with a beautiful Doo Wop balled on the B. Ollie Jones' deep pleading vocal on "Prince Or Pauper" is simply irresistible - as lovely a song as you've ever heard (lyrics above).
So - for newcomers looking for a bit of Fifties Doo Wop and R'n'B magic - this is a sweetheart of a release and typical of Bear Family's commitment to excellence - and for those who own the 1991 issue, there's the new remasters. Gorgeous stuff - and recommended the most. (Mark Barry, The Guardian)

trax:
01 Yes, Sir 02 Why 03 Crackerjack 04 Burn That Candle 05 Much Obliged 06 Poppa Loves Momma 07 Charlie Brown 08 Crazy, Crazy Party 09 You're On My Mind 10 Ladder 11 Destination 2100 And 65 12 Prince Or Pauper 13 Rock 'n' Roll Mr. Oriole 14 Warm Spot 15 The Girl I Love 16 Oh My Darlin' 17 Killer Diller 18 I Pretend 19 Be My Wife 20 Don't Make Believe 21 Only You 22 I Fell For Your Loving 23 Hot Rotten Soda Pop 24 So Near And Yet So Far 25 Forty 'leven Dozen Ways 26 Scoochie Scoochie 27 Yes Sir 28 Ol' Man River
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