The Flamingos - The Flamingos Collection 1953-61 (CD)

The Flamingos were one of the many doowop vocal groups of the 1950s whose group name was borrowed from that of a bird - The Robins, The Penguins, The Orioles and The Ravens were among the others. They are regarded as one of the genre's very best and most talented groups, and Billboard magazine wrote of them: "Universally hailed as one of the finest and most influential vocal groups in pop music history, the Flamingos defined doo wop at it's most elegant and sophisticated." Like so many of their peers, they suffered from the fact that one of their biggest R&B hits was covered for the pop market by a mainstream artist - in their case, it was Pat Boone recording their landmark song "I'll Be Home" to score a pop No. 1. This great value 80-track 3-CD set comprises almost all the titles which they release during this primary period of their career, and comprises all their A & B sides released on the Chance, Parrot, Checker, Decca and End labels along with the tracks from their first three LPs "The Flamingos", "Flamingo Serenade" and "Flamingo Favourites" which were not otherwise released on singles. It naturally includes all the dozen or so hits they had during this time, including "I'll Be Home", and their biggest pop hit "I Only Have Eyes For You". Including substantial booklet notes, this provides an entertaining overview of their most important work, ranging with ease across R&B, rock 'n' roll and ballad styles, and is a worthy showcase for their distinctive talent.

Track List:

Disc: 1

1. Someday, Someway
2. If I Can't Have You
3. That's My Desire
4. Hurry Home Baby
5. Golden Teardrops
6. Carried Away
7. Plan for Love
8. You Ain't Ready
9. Cross Over the Bridge
10. Listen to My Plea
11. Dream of a Lifetime
12. On My Merry Way
13. Blues in a Letter
14. Jump Children
15. I Really Don't Want to Know
16. Get with It
17. I'm Yours
18. Ko Ko Mo
19. When
20. (Chick - a
21. Please Come Back Home
22. I Want to Love You
23. I'll Be Home
24. Need Your Love
25. A Kiss from Your Lips

Disc: 2

1. The Vow
2. Shilly Dilly
3. Would I Be Crying
4. Just for a Kick
5. The Ladder of Love
6. Let's Make Up
7. Helpless
8. My Faith in You
9. Where Mary Go
10. The Rock and Roll March
11. Lovers Never Say Goodbye
12. That Love Is You
13. Dream of a Lifetime
14. But Not for Me
15. But Not for Me
16. I Shed a Tear at Your Wedding
17. At the Prom
18. At the Prom
19. Goodnight Sweetheart
20. Ever Since I Met Lucy
21. Ever Since I Met Lucy
22. Kiss-A-Me
23. Jerri - Lee
24. Hey Now!
25. Hey Now!
26. Heavenly Angel
27. Heavenly Angel
28. Mio Amore

Disc: 3

1. Nobody Loves Me
2. Besame Mucho
3. At Night
4. At Night
5. Beside You
6. Beside You
7. Lovers Gotta Cry
8. Lovers Gotta Cry
9. That's Why I Love You
10. Dream Girl
11. Dream Girl
12. Chickie Umbah
13. Chickie Umbah
14. Music Maestro Please
15. I'm in the Mood for Love
16. Begin the Beguine
17. As Time Goes By
18. As Time Goes By
19. The Breeze and I
20. Maria Elena
21. Maria Elena
22. Crazy, Crazy, Crazy
23. Crazy, Crazy, Crazy
24. My Foolish Heart
25. My Foolish Heart
26. Bridge of Tears
27. Bridge of Tears